Ethics of bedside clinics.

Teaching at the bedside is a time-tested and traditional method of instilling the basics of medical practice in students. In fact every medical student looks forward to “clinics at the bedside.” The students see clinical signs, hear murmurs and palpate organs with excitement and enthusiasm. The teachers in turn demonstrate disease manifestations with zing and zeal. It is here that basic clinical skills as well as “bedside manners” are acquired by the students. Each patient is a chapter of a medical text book to be written in the grey matter of the student.