Good Medical Practice

Dr Kerry J. Breen AM, MMBS, MD (Melb.), FRACP is a consultant physician and gastroenterologist. He is currently a part time member of the Federal Administrative Appeals Tribunal and Commissioner of Complaints of the National Health and Medical Research Council. Professor Stephen M. Cordner AM, MA (Lond.), MBBS, B Med Sc, Dip Crim, DMJ, FRCPath, FRCPAis Professor of Forensic Medicine at Monash University. He is Professor of Forensic Medicine at Monash University and Director of the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM). Colin J. H. Thomson LLB, BA, Master of Laws is Professor of Law in the Faculty of Law at the University of Wollongong. He is currently Chairman of the Australian Health Ethics Committee of the National Health and Medical Research Council. Vernon D. Plueckhahn AM, OBE, MD (Adel.), Hon MD (Monash), FRACP, FRCPath, FRCPA, FAMA, FCAP, FAACB, MIAC is Consultant Forensic Pathologist and Honorary Associate Professor of Forensic Medicine at Monash University.

1. Ethical principles for the medical profession; 2. Ethical and legal responsibilities of medical students; 3. Communication skills; 4. Consent and informed decision making; 5. Confidentiality, privacy and disclosure; 6. Medical records, reports and certificates; 7. Negligence, professional liability and adverse events; 8. The regulation of the medical profession; 9. Health care complaints systems; 10. The doctor and sexual boundaries; 11. Personal health of the doctor: illness and impairment; 12. Maintenance of professional competence; 13. Ethics and the allocation of health care resources; 14. The Australian health care system; 15. The doctor and interprofessional relationships; 16. Entering and leaving practice and practice management; 17. Clinical research; 18. Prescribing and administering drugs; 19. Diagnosing and certifying death and the role of the coroner; 20. Births, reproductive technology, family law and child protection; 21. Termination of pregnancy and related issues; 22. Withholding or withdrawing treatment in the seriously or terminally ill; 23. The law and the mentally ill; 24. The law and courts of law in Australia; 25. Medico-legal examinations and reports, court procedures and expert evidence; 26. Other legislation relevant to medical practice.