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AMA Code of Medical Ethics

Code of Medical Ethics overview
A page from the AMA Code of Medical Ethics

Code of Medical Ethics Preface & Preamble
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Why does the medical profession need a code of ethics?
Health care worker holding a patient's hand

AMA Ethics Pearls in Practice Series
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3 Min Read

Treatment Decisions for Seriously Ill Newborns

When an intervention no longer helps to achieve the goals of care or promote the quality of life, it is ethically appropriate to withdraw it.

Ethics
2 Min Read

Mandatory Parental Consent to Abortion

Physicians should ascertain the law in their state on parental involvement to ensure that their practices are consistent with their legal obligations.

Ethics
3 Min Read

Pediatric Decision Making

Physicians have a responsibility to engage minor patients in making decisions about their own care to the greatest extent possible.

Ethics
1 Min Read

Substitution of Surgeon

Patients are entitled to choose their own physicians, which includes being permitted to accept or refuse having an intervention performed by a substitute.

Ethics
2 Min Read

Reporting Clinical Test Results

Physicians have a corresponding obligation to be considerate of patient concerns and ensure that patients receive test results within a reasonable time frame.

Ethics
2 Min Read

Use of Placebo in Clinical Practice

The use of placebo, when consistent with good medical care, is distinct from interventions that lack scientific foundation.

Ethics
2 Min Read

Withholding Information from Patients

Withholding information without the patient’s knowledge or consent is ethically unacceptable.

Ethics
3 Min Read

Decisions for Adult Patients Who Lack Capacity

Physicians should engage patients whose capacity is impaired in decisions involving their own care to the greatest extent possible.

Ethics
2 Min Read

Informed Consent

Physicians should take certain steps to ensure a patient provides informed consent for recommended treatments.

Ethics