Identifying and managing ethical conflict in the gynecologist-patient relationship
Chervenak, F.A.; McCullough, L.B.
Journal of Reproductive Medicine 38(7): 553-557
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0024-7758 PMID: 8410852 Document Number: 414164
This paper applies the methods of ethics to the problem of differences between the gynecologist and patient about what is in the patient's interest. We develop a framework for clinical judgement and decision making about the ethical dimensions of the gynecologist-patient relationship. To achieve this goal we first define the fundamental principles of beneficence and respect for autonomy. We then show how these two principles interact in clinical judgement and decision making using common examples from gynecologic practice. We examine factors that influence the relative weight of these principles, including subject matter, probability of net medical benefit, availability of reasonable alternatives and ability of the patient to participate in the informed consent process.