Medical Futility

Number 362

(Reaffirmed 2008)

ABSTRACT: The construct of medical futility has been used to justify a physician's unilateral refusal to provide treatment requested or demanded by a patient or the family of a patient. It is importa...

The Limits of Conscientious Refusal in Reproductive Medicine

Number 385

(Reaffirmed 2010)

ABSTRACT: Health care providers occasionally may find that providing indicated, even standard, care would present for them a personal moral problem—a conflict of conscience—particularly in the field ...

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Number 389

ABSTRACT: Because human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection often is detected through prenatal and sexually transmitted disease testing, an obstetrician–gynecologist may be the first health profes...

Surgery and Patient Choice

Number 395

ABSTRACT: Acknowledgment of the importance of patient autonomy and increased patient access to information has prompted more patient–generated requests for surgical interventions not necessarily reco...

End-of-Life Decision Making

Number 403

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this Committee Opinion is to discuss issues related to end–of–life care, including terms and definitions, ethical principles, legal constructs, physician–patient communicatio...

Direct-to-Consumer Marketing of Genetic Testing

Number 409

ABSTRACT: Marketing of genetic testing, although similar to direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs, raises additional concerns and considerations. These include issues of limited knowle...

Ethical Issues in Genetic Testing

Number 410

ABSTRACT: Genetic testing is poised to play an increasing role in the practice of obstetrics and gynecology. To assure patients of the highest quality of care, physicians should become familiar with ...

Abortion Access and Training

Number 424

ABSTRACT: Despite a decrease in abortion rates over the past decade, numerous political, social, and provider barriers limit access to abortion services. Barriers include state restrictions and manda...

Health Care for Undocumented Immigrants

Number 425

ABSTRACT: Undocumented immigrants are less likely than other residents of the United States to have health insurance. Their access to publicly funded health programs has become increasingly limited s...

Legal Status: Health Impact for Lesbian Couples

Number 428

ABSTRACT: Women in same-sex relationships encounter barriers to health care that include concerns about confidentiality and disclosure, discriminatory attitudes and treatment, limited access to healt...

Ethical Considerations for Performing Gynecologic Surgery in Low-Resource Settings Abroad

Number 466

ABSTRACT: International humanitarian medical efforts provide essential services to patients who would not otherwise have access to specific health care services. The Committees on Ethics and Global W...

Methamphetamine Abuse in Women of Reproductive Age

Number 479

(Reaffirmed 2013)

ABSTRACT: Methamphetamine abuse has continued to increase in the United States since the late 1980s with its use spreading from the West Coast to areas across the country. Methamphetamine use in preg...

At-Risk Drinking and Alcohol Dependence - Obstetric and Gynecologic Implications

Number 496

(Reaffirmed 2013)

ABSTRACT: Compared with men, at-risk alcohol use by women has a disproportionate effect on their health and lives, including reproductive function and pregnancy outcomes. Obstetrician–gynecologists h...

Adult Manifestations of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Number 498

(Reaffirmed 2013)

ABSTRACT: Long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse are varied, complex, and often devastating. Many obstetrician-gynecologists knowingly or unknowingly provide care to abuse survivors and should s...

Sexual Assault

Number 499

ABSTRACT: Victims of sexual assault who are of reproductive age are at risk of unintended pregnancy as well as sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore, emergency contraception and prophylaxis for se...

Intimate Partner Violence

Number 518

ABSTRACT: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant yet preventable public health problem that affects millions of women regardless of age, economic status, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual o...

Disclosure and Discussion of Adverse Events

Number 520

(Replaces No. 380, October 2007)

ABSTRACT: Disclosure and discussion of adverse events in health care with the patient are morally and ethically necessary to achieve the optimal goal of respecting patient autonomy. Improving the dis...

Health Care for Lesbians and Bisexual Women

Number 525

ABSTRACT: Lesbians and bisexual women encounter barriers to health care that include concerns about confidentiality and disclosure, discriminatory attitudes and treatment, limited access to health ca...

Access to Emergency Contraception

Number 542

ABSTRACT: Emergency contraception includes contraceptive methods used to prevent pregnancy in the first few days after unprotected intercourse, sexual assault, or contraceptive failure. Although the ...

Health Care for Women in the Military and Women Veterans

Number 547

Abstract: Military service is associated with unique risks to women’s reproductive health. As increasing numbers of women are serving in the military, and a greater proportion of United States Vetera...