Ruth B. Purtilo appears first on the five previous editions.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Morality and ethics : what they are and why they matter -- The ethical goal of professional practice : a caring response -- Prototypes of ethical problems -- Ethics theories and approaches : conceptual tools for ethical decision making -- A six-step process of ethical decision making -- Surviving professional life ethically -- Living ethically as a member of the interprofessional care team -- Living ethically within healthcare organizations -- Honoring confidentiality -- Communication and information sharing -- Informed consent in treatment and clinical research -- Ethical issues in chronic care and disability -- Ethical issues in end-of-life care -- Distributive justice : clinical sources of claims for healthcare -- Compensatory and social justice : societal sources of claims for healthcare -- Professionals as good citizens : responsibility and opportunity.

"Ideal for all practicing and aspiring healthcare professionals, this unique text gives readers a solid foundation in basic ethical theory, the terms and concepts of ethics, and the numerous ethical issues surrounding health care today. The new sixth edition centers on the six-step decision-making process and includes expanded patient case studies and an increased emphasis on working within inter-professional care teams toward the resolution of ethical problems." -- Publisher.