Ethical dimensions of the fetus as a patient

• Published in: Best practice & research. Clinical obstetrics & gynaecology Vol. 43; pp. 2 - 9
• Main Authors: Chervenak, Frank A., M.D, McCullough, Laurence B., Ph.D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2017
• Subjects: Beneficence; Female; Fetus; fetus as a patient; Humans; Moral Obligations; Obstetrics - ethics; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Personal Autonomy; Pregnancy; Pregnant Women; preventive ethics respect for autonomy; professional responsibility model of obstetric ethics; preventive ethics respect for autonomy; professional responsibility model of obstetric ethics; fetus as a patient; beneficence
• ISSN: 1521-6934; 1532-1932
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2016.12.007

Highlights • The ethical concept of the fetus as a patient and the professional responsibility model of obstetric ethics should guide clinical judgment and practice in obstetrics. • Implementing the ethical concept of the fetus as a patient is essential for sustaining a professional physician-patient relationship with pregnant, fetal, and neonatal patients. • The professional responsibility model of obstetric ethics appreciates the potential for ethical conflict and the use of such clinical tools as informed consent and negotiation to prevent such conflict from occurring. • Counseling pregnant women about the clinical management of their pregnancies should always identify and balance beneficence-based obligations to the fetal patient and beneficence-based and autonomy-based obligations to the pregnant patient.