Medical Ethics and Professionalism

ACP’s Center for Ethics and Professionalism is devoted to policy development, implementation and education on issues of medical ethics and professionalism, and is a resource for ACP members and the public.

ACP Ethics Manual, Seventh Edition

The ACP Ethics Manual is the core of College ethics policy, assisting physicians in applying ethical principles and reasoned arguments to emerging challenges in medicine and also in revisiting older issues and dilemmas that are still very pertinent. It reaffirms the importance of fundamental aspects of medical care and ethics such as the patient-physician relationship.

Read the Ethics Manual

Ethical Issues, Position Papers & Resources

In addition to the ACP Ethics Manual, ACP develops and publishes ethics position papers on a broad range of health care ethics issues including clinical ethics, professionalism, the delivery of care, teaching, medical research and other topics. ACP ethics policy is approved by the Board of Regents and serves as the basis for the development of ACP ethics education and practice resources and legislative, regulatory and policy implementation activities.

Access Position Papers & Resources

Ethics Case Studies & Education

The ACP Ethics Case Studies draw on ethical challenges encountered by physicians in everyday practice, teaching and research. These and other ethics education activities can be used as learning resources and completed for free CME and MOC credits as indicated or used as teaching tools.

Access Education Activities

Procedures for Addressing Ethical Complaints

Any individual may raise concerns regarding unprofessional, unethical or illegal conduct on the part of a physician member of the College. Complaints can be submitted to the ACP Executive Vice President or ACP Ethics staff.

Learn More

Ethics, Professionalism & Human Rights Committee

The ACP Ethics, Professionalism & Human Rights Committee, staffed by the Center for Ethics and Professionalism, develops and implements Board of Regents approved College ethics policy, develops related educational resources and oversees the ethical complaints procedures.

Learn More

ACP Disclosure of Interests and Management of Conflicts Policy

ACP requires disclosures of all relevant interests or relationships that may conflict with a person’s ability to exercise independent judgment in a matter involving the College.

Contact Us

For more information contact Lois Snyder Sulmasy, JD, Director, via email at lsnyder@acponline.org, toll-free at 800-ACP-1915 (800-227-1915) or locally at 215-351-2835.