SOSC 2050

SOSC 2050 - Ethics and the Law - 1cr.

COURSE PURPOSE&OVERVIEW: 

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;

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. 

SPECIFIC LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

 Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

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

 • Summarize the four broad ethical principles and articulate the importance of ethics in midwifery;

 • Theorize about the ethical considerations involved in choosing and serving a diversity of clientele;

 • Theorize about the ethical obligations present in relationships other professionals;

• Summarize the processes involved in addressing non-ethical practices by oneself or peers;

 • Critically evaluate personal values/biases, and how these influence clientele selection/service;

 • Develop a personal statement of ethics as part of a broader philosophy of care document for clients;

 • Identify HIPAA rules and describe the integration of HIPAA into midwifery practice;

 • Develop a HIPAA disclosure statement in compliance with HIPAA governing rules;

 • Summarize the difference between “privacy” and “confidentiality” in care provision;

 • Critically evaluate the ethical considerations involved in the intersection of social media sites and midwifery care;

 • Analyze and develop solutions for case study examples in ethical conflicts in midwifery;

 • Locate and identify state or province midwifery legislation and regulations;

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

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

 • Summarize the ethics involved in scope of care, competency and the provision of midwifery services;

 • Identify the ethical and legal considerations involved in termination of care and noncompliance scenarios;

 • 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;

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

 • 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

ASSIGNMENTS:

Ethics Across Professional Organizations 

Notice of Privacy Practices 

Petition for More Options in Maternal Health Care 

Philosophy of Care 

Reflection - Why Ethics 

Values List