The fifth edition of听Good Medical Practice: Professionalism, Ethics and Law听was听launched today,听reaffirming its place as a听critical听resource for the medical profession in Australia.听
Over time,听Good Medical Practice听has听established听itself as an indispensable guide for doctors at every stage of their professional journey鈥攆rom medical students and trainees to experienced clinicians.听听
It is also a valuable resource for international medical graduates, regulators,听educators听and members of the public seeking to understand the standards that underpin medical practice in Australia.听
This new edition addresses both emerging challenges and enduring ethical questions. New chapters explore contemporary issues such as telehealth regulation, data听privacy听and cross-jurisdictional practice. At the same time, it revisits foundational topics鈥攊ncluding confidentiality, informed听consent听and end-of-life care鈥攖hrough fresh perspectives shaped by recent legal developments.听
Importantly, the guide foregrounds the ethical and professional imperative of cultural safety. It acknowledges the historical and ongoing impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and affirms the responsibility of doctors to promote health equity and deliver respectful, culturally safe care.
Authored by a diverse range of experts鈥攊ncluding doctors, health consumers, other health practitioners, lawyers, academics, administrators and regulators鈥攖he books is an indispensable guide to contemporary medical practice in Australia today.
The book also reflects feedback from community stakeholders, including patients,听carers听and consumer advocates. 鈥淭heir voices remind us that good medical practice is not defined solely by professional standards but by the experiences and outcomes of those we serve,鈥澨齭aid 糖心传媒 President Professor Geoff McColl.听
鈥淎s medicine continues to evolve, so too must our understanding of what it means to be a good doctor.听This edition challenges doctors to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, to navigate ethical complexity with integrity, and to engage with the law as a framework for accountability and justice.鈥�听
No guide can be definitive or final. Professionalism,听ethics听and law are living domains, shaped by new knowledge, changing contexts and the collective wisdom of the profession and the community.听鈥淲e offer this edition not as a prescription but as a companion鈥攐ne that supports doctors in their lifelong commitment to good practice,鈥澨齭aid Professor McColl.听
Good Medical Practice: Professionalism, Ethics and Law听is听available in print and听as an听eBook and can be听purchased听online through major retailers in Australia, New Zealand and internationally.听听
The fifth edition brings together 47 contributors, supported by an editorial panel听comprising听Helen Milroy AM, Anne Tonkin AO, Theanne Walters听AM听and Tim Wilkinson.听
The late听Dr Greg Kesby AM听served as editor-in-chief of this听2026 edition and helped shape the publication until his passing in 2021.听
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