---

Press the print button on your browser.
Click here to return to the previous page.

Pocket principles

In 1847 the American Medical Association was founded based on the need to establish ethical standards for the profession. The AMA's Code of Ethics, the world's first national code of professional ethics, continues to be the embodiment of professional self-regulation necessary for the practice of good medicine. The current Code includes the Principles of Medical Ethics which are not laws, but standards of conduct that define the essentials of honorable behavior for the physician. These Principles form the basis for the ethical opinions in the Code, widely considered the most comprehensive guide for physicians.

The Pocket Principles is a pocket-sized version of the AMA Principles of Medical Ethics for distribution to students and physicians. Each includes a brief history of the Code, the process by which the AMA deliberates ethical issues, and a series of scenarios that demonstrate the relevance of the Code for students and physicians.

To receive complimentary copies of the Pocket Principles please specify whether you would like the student or physician version and how many by contacting Kelly.Shaw@ama-assn.org .

---