Scheduled Cesarean Delivery and the Prevention of Vertical Transmission of HIV Infection

Number 234

(Reaffirmed 2010, Replaces No. 219, August 1999)

Prevention of transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from mother to fetus or newborn (vertical transmission) is a major goal in the care of pregnant women infected with HIV. An import...

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Women's Health

Number 317

ABSTRACT: Significant racial and ethnic disparities exist in women's health. These health disparities largely result from differences in socioeconomic status and insurance status. Although many dispa...

Maternal Decision Making Ethics and the Law

Number 321

ABSTRACT: Recent legal actions and policies aimed at protecting the fetus as an entity separate from the woman have challenged the rights of pregnant women to make decisions about medical interventio...

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...

Patient Testing Ethical Issues in Selection and Counseling

Number 363

(Reaffirmed 2012)

ABSTRACT: Recommendations to patients about testing should be based on current medical knowledge, a concern for the patient's best interests, and mutual consultation. In addition to establishing a di...

Patents Medicine and the Interests of Patients

Number 364

(Reaffirmed 2009)

ABSTRACT: Many basic scientists and clinicians support the right to obtain and enforce patents on drugs, diagnostic tests, medical devices, and most recently, genes. Although those who develop useful...

Research Involving Women

Number 377

ABSTRACT: All women should be presumed to be eligible for participation in clinical studies. The potential for pregnancy should not automatically exclude a woman from participating in a clinical stud...

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...

Ethical Decision Making in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Number 390

(Reaffirmed 2010)

ABSTRACT: Physicians vary widely in their familiarity with ethical theories and methods and their sensitivity toward ethical issues. It is important for physicians to improve their skills in addressi...

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 ...

The Uninsured

Number 416

(Replaces No. 308, December 2004)

ABSTRACT: The United States is one of the few industrialized nations in the world that do not guarantee health care for their populations. Access to health care for all women is of paramount concern ...

Prenatal and Perinatal Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing - Expanded Recommendations

Number 418

(Reaffirmed 2011, Replaces No. 304, November 2004)

ABSTRACT: Early identification and treatment of all pregnant women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the best way to prevent neonatal disease and improve the woman's health. Human immunodefi...

At-Risk Drinking and Illicit Drug Use Ethical Issues in Obstetric and Gynecologic Practice

Number 422

(Replaces No. 294, May 2004)

ABSTRACT: Drug and alcohol abuse is a major health problem for American women regardless of their socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, and age. It is costly to individuals and to society. Obstetric...

Motivational Interviewing: A Tool for Behavior Change

Number 423

(Reaffirmed 2012)

ABSTRACT: Applying the principles of motivational interviewing to everyday patient interactions has been proved effective in eliciting "behavior change" that contributes to positive health outcomes a...

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...