Contents -- Foreword to the second edition -- Foreword to the first edition -- Preface -- List of abbreviations -- Introduction -- The GPs and their practices -- References -- 1 General practice and ethics -- Introduction -- The GP-patient relationship -- Ethical complexities in general practice -- Conclusion -- References -- 2 Ethical reasoning and general practice -- Introduction -- The role of ethical deliberation in general practice -- Ethical theory -- A framework for analysing ethical problems -- Using the framework: Dr Morrow and Lisa -- Conclusion -- References -- Further reading -- 3 Trust and the doctor-patient relationship -- Introduction -- What is the doctor-patient relationship? -- The importance of the relationship to general practice -- The importance of trust -- Trust in the doctor-patient relationship -- The benefits of trust -- Trust, paternalism and consumerist relationships -- Fostering patient trust -- Trusting wisely -- Conclusion -- References -- 4 Difficult relationships with patients -- Introduction -- The balance between intimacy and professionalism -- Gifts from patients -- Sexual boundary violations -- Needy or dependent patients -- Patients and their relatives -- Collusive relationships -- Conclusion -- References -- 5 Confidentiality in general practice -- Introduction -- What is confidentiality? -- Why is confidentiality important? -- Cases in which maintaining confidentiality can be a problem -- Conclusion -- References -- Further guidance on confidentiality -- 6 Beneficence or does the doctor know best? -- Introduction -- The principle of beneficence -- Acting in the patient's best interests -- Beneficence and paternalism -- Medicine and paternalism -- What is the medical good? The role of evidence-based medicine -- The limits of beneficence -- Preventive healthcare -- Conclusion -- References.

7 Justice and resource allocation in general practice -- What is resource allocation and why does it matter? -- How are resources allocated in healthcare systems? -- How can we allocate resources fairly? -- Material principles of justice -- Conclusion -- References -- 8 Making decisions: patient autonomy in general practice -- Introduction -- What is autonomy and why is it important? -- Autonomy in practice -- Informed consent -- Limits on autonomy and difficult cases -- Conclusion -- References -- 9 Ethical issues at the beginning of life -- Introduction -- Contraception -- Abortion -- Reproductive technologies -- In pregnancy -- Labour and delivery -- Conclusion -- References -- 10 Ethical issues in the care of children -- Introduction -- Why do children raise particular ethical issues? -- Requests for circumcision -- Immunization -- Complimentary and alternative treatments -- Obesity -- Non-accidental injuries -- Adolescent consent and confidentiality -- Conclusion -- References -- 11 Ethical issues at the end of life -- Introduction -- Ethical responses to requests for assistance in dying -- What is euthanasia? -- The doctrine of double effect -- Physician-assisted suicide -- Practical aspects -- Advance directives -- Legalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide -- Conclusion -- References -- 12 Role conflicts in general practice -- Introduction -- Conflicts of interest in general practice -- Why should we be concerned about conflicts of interest? -- Some specific examples -- Evaluating conflicts of interest -- Dealing with conflicts of interest -- Conclusion -- References -- 13 On being a good doctor: virtues in general practice -- Introduction -- What is different about a virtues approach in general practice? -- What is virtue ethics? -- Compassion -- Medical vices -- Why do we need a focus on virtue in medicine? -- Conclusion: what is a good GP?.

References -- Index -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G -- H -- I -- J -- L -- M -- N -- O -- P -- Q -- R -- S -- T -- U -- V -- W.