Sympathetic responsibility in ethically difficult situations*.
(2005) In Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica 84(12). p.1164-1171- Abstract
- Background. Ethical issues arise in many obstetric situations and demand constant consideration by obstetricians. The aim of this study was to highlight the meaning of being in an ethically difficult situation as narrated by obstetricians.
Methods. A descriptive design with a qualitative approach using a hermeneutic phenomenological method for analysis. Interviews were performed with 14 obstetricians working in a Swedish hospital setting.
Results. The overriding theme was Sympathetic responsibility in the decisions of critical importance for the mother and her infant. Five related themes were to: (i) proceed with a moral reasoning that leads to the choice of a possible solution; (ii) balance one's own... (More) - Background. Ethical issues arise in many obstetric situations and demand constant consideration by obstetricians. The aim of this study was to highlight the meaning of being in an ethically difficult situation as narrated by obstetricians.
Methods. A descriptive design with a qualitative approach using a hermeneutic phenomenological method for analysis. Interviews were performed with 14 obstetricians working in a Swedish hospital setting.
Results. The overriding theme was Sympathetic responsibility in the decisions of critical importance for the mother and her infant. Five related themes were to: (i) proceed with a moral reasoning that leads to the choice of a possible solution; (ii) balance one's own medical knowledge and moral insight with the needs and requests of the parents; (iii) be aware of one's medical and moral responsibility in relation to the decision made; (iv) experience the ability to take action and to make and carry out difficult and important decisions relating to the health of the mother and infant; and (v) reflect on a given situation in a manner leading to a rational acceptance of one's own conduct.
Conclusions. Sympathetic responsibility is the structure of the meaning of the obstetricians' lived experience, which means that the obstetricians with the help of their medical knowledge and their desire to support the mother's autonomy do what is best for the mother and her infant. Implications include that an exchange of ethical thoughts and moral reasoning should lead to a higher degree of mutual understanding between colleagues and between the different professionals. Co-operation is important to achieve the best outcome for the mother and her infant. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/147750
- author
- Danerek, Margaretha LU ; Udén, Giggi and Dykes, Anna-Karin LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2005
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- in
- Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica
- volume
- 84
- issue
- 12
- pages
- 1164 - 1171
- publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell
- external identifiers
-
- pmid:16305702
- wos:000233536400008
- scopus:28344443238
- ISSN
- 1600-0412
- DOI
- 10.1111/j.0001-6349.2005.00697.x
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- additional info
- The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015. The record was previously connected to the following departments: Division of Nursing (Closed 2012) (013065000)
- id
- 4892393b-d571-4964-a8e0-a4238f1c3e52 (old id 147750)
- date added to LUP
- 2016-04-01 15:50:41
- date last changed
- 2022-01-28 07:27:53
@article{4892393b-d571-4964-a8e0-a4238f1c3e52, abstract = {{Background. Ethical issues arise in many obstetric situations and demand constant consideration by obstetricians. The aim of this study was to highlight the meaning of being in an ethically difficult situation as narrated by obstetricians.<br/><br> <br/><br> Methods. A descriptive design with a qualitative approach using a hermeneutic phenomenological method for analysis. Interviews were performed with 14 obstetricians working in a Swedish hospital setting.<br/><br> <br/><br> Results. The overriding theme was Sympathetic responsibility in the decisions of critical importance for the mother and her infant. Five related themes were to: (i) proceed with a moral reasoning that leads to the choice of a possible solution; (ii) balance one's own medical knowledge and moral insight with the needs and requests of the parents; (iii) be aware of one's medical and moral responsibility in relation to the decision made; (iv) experience the ability to take action and to make and carry out difficult and important decisions relating to the health of the mother and infant; and (v) reflect on a given situation in a manner leading to a rational acceptance of one's own conduct.<br/><br> <br/><br> Conclusions. Sympathetic responsibility is the structure of the meaning of the obstetricians' lived experience, which means that the obstetricians with the help of their medical knowledge and their desire to support the mother's autonomy do what is best for the mother and her infant. Implications include that an exchange of ethical thoughts and moral reasoning should lead to a higher degree of mutual understanding between colleagues and between the different professionals. Co-operation is important to achieve the best outcome for the mother and her infant.}}, author = {{Danerek, Margaretha and Udén, Giggi and Dykes, Anna-Karin}}, issn = {{1600-0412}}, language = {{eng}}, number = {{12}}, pages = {{1164--1171}}, publisher = {{Wiley-Blackwell}}, series = {{Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica}}, title = {{Sympathetic responsibility in ethically difficult situations*.}}, url = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/4489791/625147.pdf}}, doi = {{10.1111/j.0001-6349.2005.00697.x}}, volume = {{84}}, year = {{2005}}, }