A compilation of posts from the popular 'Illusions of Autonomy' blog on medical ethics. Medical scenarios, dialogues, reviews and controversies. PART 1: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF DOCTORS PART 2: COMPASSIONATE CARE PART 3: AT THE COALFACE PART 4: ASSISTED DYING PART 5: MEDICAL ERROR PART 6: CARE TOWARDS THE END OF LIFE AND RESUSCITATION PART 7: QUICK, TOPICAL MEDICAL ETHICS OVERVIEWS PART 8: THE LIVERPOOL CARE PATHWAY CONTROVERSY