Good Medical Practice: Professionalism, Ethics and Law - 5th Edition

Good Medical Practice: Professionalism, Ethics and Law is a trusted guide on the professional, ethical and legal requirements for being a doctor in Australia today.

This fifth edition reflects the evolving landscape of medical practice in Australia, shaped by technological innovation, changing societal expectations, and a growing emphasis on cultural safety and equity in healthcare.

New chapters address emerging challenges, including telehealth regulation, data privacy and cross-jurisdictional practice. This new edition also revisits enduring issues of confidentiality, informed consent and end-of-life care with fresh perspectives informed by legal developments.

Designed for doctors at every stage of their career—from students and trainees to experienced clinicians—the book also offers practical advice on documentation, communication, and navigating complaints and investigations.

Case studies and further reading make this an indispensable guide to modern medical practice in Australia.

The AMC recognises that no guide can be definitive or final.  Professionalism, ethics and law are living domains, shaped by new knowledge, changing contexts, and the collective wisdom of the profession and community.  We offer this edition not as a prescription but as a companion – one that supports doctors in their lifelong commitment to good practice.

The cover of the 5th edition of Good Medical Practice features the Rod of Asclepius, the enduring symbol of medicine, intertwined with Australia’s national and state floral emblems, reflecting the publication’s uniquely local context. Each hand-crafted element represents a state or territory, symbolising the interconnectedness of ethics, law and health care across the country. Rooted in diverse traditions, landscapes and legal systems, these elements are unified by a shared commitment to caring for the Australian community.

— Megan Steel-Ferguson, Artist