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Ethical frameworks for obstetrics and gynaecology

Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals Trust, Lambeth Palace Road, London SE1 7EH, UK. email: susan.bewley{at}gstt.sthames.nhs.uk (corresponding author)

Martin Lupton, MA MRCOG, Perinatal Fellow

The Department of Maternal/Fetal Medicine, The Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, 369 Fulham Road, London SW10 9NH, UK. email: martin{at}glupton.fsnet.co.uk

Most aspects of the doctor-patient relationship have an ethical dimension and the potential to pose ethical dilemmas. The depth and breadth of ethical issues in obstetrics and gynaecology cannot possibly be covered in a short article. However, this article offers a guide to help discussion. Three main philosophical frameworks used by professional ethicists to examine ethical dilemmas are described, together with some of their methodology. We end with some practical suggestions of how to avoid ethical conflicts and of how to approach ethical dilemmas when they arise.

Keywords Keywords / doctor-patient relationship / ethical dilemmas / ethics / philosophical frameworks