Ethics in Midwifery

• IntroductionEthical TheoryIs ethical reasoning part of everyday life?What is ethics?What is a moral issue?What is a moral dilemma?How do we resolve the conflicts do we need ethical theories?Ethical theories: -UtilitarianismAct-utilitarianismRule-utilitarianismSome criticisms of utilitarianismDeontology:Rational monismTraditional deontologyIntuitionistic PluralismAnother alternative?Suggested readingReferencesBibliographyPart TwoChapter One: Introduction to Part TwoReferencesBibliographyChapter Two: Ethical Dimensions of the Midwifes RolePractitionerEducatorCounsellorAdvisorFriendChapter Three: ConfidentialityCase studiesDiscussion of questionsFurther discussionsInfringement of confidentialityFor whom is confidentiality/privacy important?When do health care workers need to consider confidentiality?Applying the theoriesSuggested readingReferencesBibliographyChapter Four: AccountabilityCase studyDiscussion of questionsFurther discussionFOR whom and what are midwives accountable?TO whom are midwives accountable?Applying the theoriesSuggested readingReferencesBibliographyChapter Five: Autonomy and ConsentCase studyDiscussion of questionsFurther discussionAutonomyPaternalismConsentApplying the theoriesSuggested readingReferencesBibliographyChapter Six: Conscientious Objection to Participation in AbortionCase studyDiscussion of questionsFurther discussionApplying the theoriesSuggested readingReferencesBibliographyChapter Seven: Assisted ConceptionCase studyDiscussion of questionsFurther discussionApplying the theoriesSuggested readingReferencesBibliographyChapter Eight: Withholding and Withdrawing TreatmentCase studyDiscussion of questionsFurther discussionApplying the theoriesSuggested readingReferencesBibliographyConclusionGlossaryIndexIndex of Authors

"A very affordable, readable book that every midwife and student would benefit from ." Clare Carter, Practice Development Midwife, MIDIRS Midwifery Digest 11:2, June 2001