SOSC 2050

Course Description

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the myriad of ethical considerations that govern and influence the Midwives Model of Care™ and the practice of midwifery. Students will have the opportunity to learn and explore four broad areas of ethical considerations in midwifery care: 1) Professional ethics in midwifery; 2) Ethics in clientele selection and service; 3) The ethics of privacy and confidentiality; and 4) State/Province legislation, regulation, and the ethics of “choice.” Students will examine these issues through a combination of interactive discussion sessions, case studies, reflection papers, critical thought exercises, and advocacy projects in their community.

Learning Objectives:

1. Compare and contrast the ethical codes and value statements of the leading professional midwifery organizations in the U.S. and/or Canada.

2. Summarize the four broad ethical principles and articulate the importance of ethics in midwifery.

3. Theorize about the ethical considerations involved in choosing and serving a diversity of clientele.

4. Theorize about the ethical obligations present in relationships other professionals.

5. Summarize the processes involved in addressing non-ethical practices by oneself or peers.

6. Critically evaluate personal values/biases, and how these influence clientele selection/service.

7. Develop a personal statement of ethics as part of a broader philosophy of care document for clients.

8. Identify HIPAA rules and describe the integration of HIPAA into midwifery practice.

9. Develop a HIPAA disclosure statement in compliance with HIPAA governing rules.

10. Summarize the difference between “privacy” and “confidentiality” in care provision.

11. Critically evaluate the ethical considerations involved in the intersection of social media sites and midwifery care.

12. Analyze and develop solutions for case study examples in ethical conflicts in midwifery.

13. Locate and identify state or province midwifery legislation and regulations.

14. Describe how regulatory or legislative standards influence informed choice and informed consent in the practice of midwifery.

15. Critically evaluate the ethical intersection of regulatory laws and an individual’s right to choose.

16. Summarize the ethics involved in scope of care, competency, and the provision of midwifery services.

17. Identify the ethical and legal considerations involved in termination of care and non- compliance scenarios.

18. Develop an “ethics consciousness” and apply newfound ethics knowledge to personal, community, state and/or national

advocacy projects that improve the ethical treatment of pregnant persons and their families.

19. Identify and explain the MEMET (Midwives Ecosystemic Model of Ethical Thinking), and critically evaluate how it can be used to guide thinking in ethics.

20. Identify and explain the Thompson & Thompson’s Bioethical Decision-making Model, and critically evaluate how it can be used to guide decision-making processes in ethics.

PREREQUISITE: MDWF 2020 and 2030 or currently a CPM/RM - completed August, 2021

(Midwives College of Utah, 2022).