Track 17: Ethics and Patient Care in Gynecology and Obstetrics

Ethics and Patient Care in Gynecology and Obstetrics

Ethics and patient care in gynecology and obstetrics involve upholding moral principles and professional standards while providing medical care to women across all stages of life, including pregnancy, childbirth, and reproductive health.

This field requires a delicate balance between medical judgment, patient autonomy, and cultural sensitivity. Key ethical principles include:

• Respect for Autonomy: Ensuring patients have the right to make informed decisions about their care, including birth plans, contraceptive choices, and abortion services.

• Beneficence and Non-Maleficence: Acting in the patient’s best interest while avoiding harm, especially during high-risk pregnancies or complex treatments.

• Confidentiality: Safeguarding patient privacy, particularly regarding sensitive issues like sexual health, infertility, and domestic abuse.

• Informed Consent: Clearly communicating procedures, risks, and alternatives, allowing patients to make voluntary and informed choices.

• Justice and Equity: Providing fair and equal access to care, regardless of age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or cultural background.

Ethical practice also includes managing conflicts in maternal-fetal care, addressing end-of-life decisions, and navigating religious or cultural beliefs that may impact care. Providers must foster trust, empathy, and communication to ensure high-quality, respectful patient-centered care.