Ethics

The managerialist organisational model has penetrated deeply into our institutions, with destructive consequences

Paul A Komesaroff MB BS, PhD, FRACP · Ian H Kerridge MPhil, FRACP, FRCPA · David Isaacs MD, FRACP, FRCPCH · Peter M Brooks MD, FRACP, FAFRM

A simple legislative change would permit voluntary euthanasia without ignoring ethical and community concerns

Paul A Komesaroff BSc(Hons), PhD, FRACP · Stephen Charles QC

Community treatment orders have become standard practice without serious consideration of the underlying research base

Steve Kisely MD, PhD, FRANZCP · Richard O’Reilly MB, FRCPC

The pitfalls in assessing patients’ decision-making capacity

Peter D Bastian MB BS, MPH, FRACP · Adeleen Eng MB BS · Linley A Denson MPsych, PhD · Lynn Ward PhD

In reply: Evidence is needed that medical intervention does more good than harm for less than severe impairment

Jon N Jureidini MB BS, PhD, FRANZCP

A potentially important option for patients with Huntington disease that warrants further study

Chris Tuckfield MB BS(Hons), MPhil

Not substantially, but we have strong obligations to reduce delays and increase efficiency

David Hunter PhD

The need for a uniform system across Australia

Margaret F A Otlowski LLB(Hons), PhD

We have a duty to consider the health impacts of climate change

Colin D Butler BMed, MSc(Epidemiol), PhD · Peter W Tait MB BS, FRACGP, MClimChng

Recruiting more potential organ donors would not result in a large increase in organ donor numbers

Jonathan J Gatward MB ChB, FRCA, FCICM · Michael J O’Leary MD, FRCA, FCICM · Myra Sgorbini MN(Hon) · Paul R Phipps PhD, FRACP, FCICM

Acknowledging the role of general physicians

Nicholas D Buckmaster MB BS, FRACP · Mark Forbes MB ChB, FCP(SA), FRACP

Surveying general physicians would be valuable

Ben White LLB(Hons), DPhil · Lindy Willmott BCom LLB, LLM, PhD · Colleen Cartwright PhD, MPH, BSW(Hons) · Malcolm H Parker MB BS, MHMedLaw, MD · Gail Williams MSc, MSc(Lond), PhD

Implementing EOL care policies in prisons

Megan Kendall MB BS, BSc, BAppSc(Hons) · Luke Streitberg MB BS, MFM · Michael H Levy MB BS, MPH, FAFPHM

Understanding recent legal developments will help doctors negotiate the complexities of consent

Malcolm K Smith PhD, LLM, LLB(Hons) · Ben Mathews PhD, LLB, BA

Planning and community-based palliative care can make it possible for more people to die at home

Hal Swerissen BAppSc, BA(Hons), MAppPsych · Stephen J Duckett PhD, DSc, FASSA

An example of how boycotting the system can achieve result

Robert J Davies MB BS, FRACS

The case against immigration detention is irrefutable

on behalf of the J'Accuse Coalition and Doctors for Refugees*

Global health law

Joanna R Pozen

Developing coroners’ guidelines in all jurisdictions would help health practitioners comply with reporting obligations

Sarah Middleton BA/LLB(Hons), PhD, GDLP · Michael D Buist FRACP, FCICM, MD

Doctors should screen patients with dementia for firearm possession and assess capacity to own and use guns safely

Anne P F Wand MB BS, MPsychiatry, FRANZCP · Carmelle Peisah MB BS, MD, FRANZCP · Julie-Anne Strukovski RN · Henry Brodaty MD, DSc, FRANZCP

In reply: The supporting evidence is strong

John W Toumbourou · Kypros Kypri · Sandra C Jones

Some labelling advice barely complies with the recommended limit for preventing acute harm

Genevieve A Cowie · Bruce Bolam

Improving risk assessment through better communication between paramedics, nurses and clinicians

George A Jelinek MD, DipDHM, FACEM · Lyndal C Bugeja PhD · Paresa A Spanos BA LLB · Sandra L Neate MB BS, DA(UK), FACEM · Ruth L Bergman DipAppSc(Nursing), BN(CommunityHealth), MPH · David L Ranson BM BS, LLB, FRCPA