by Olivia Bredbenner

Created on: September 25, 2009   Last Updated: September 27, 2009

Health care is a business, and for those who are in the practice of medicine, and deliver health care; it can be a challenge as "the two can be in conflict at times." As said by Gregg Easterbrook, "an ethic of service is at war with a craving for gain" Therefore, a theory or system of moral values is at times, upstaged by the costly reality of its own implementation. Health care is now being challenged on the proper allocation of resources, bringing to the forefront even more ethical questions.

In the medical profession there are standards that govern the conduct of their members. For those that are employed in hospitals and other health care institutions, it is expected that they live by them. It is written into the Hippocratic oath. And it is meant to be part of who they are.

Everyday in health care decisions are pondered, as lives are held in balance while an ill patient lies between life and its pursuit of care. When does the time come to make the decision to surrender to what may be considered, as life's preordained plan? At this time, we are all in need of professional help and guidance.

Those who have answered the call into the medical profession make ethical decisions everyday. None more often, than those that work in the area of Obstetrics. While giving birth is in itself "ordinary" by nature's design. It can for some turn into a complex medical crisis. Thus challenging the obstetrician's skills. Suddenly, thrust upon the physician is the full responsibility for the outcome. One that, if left alone in nature, would have come to its own conclusion.

How great is this crisis for this mother, and as well for the obstetrician when there are complications during a delivery? The physician is now holding in his hands the responsibility to resuscitate and save this infant. Even though all of his knowledge tells him of likely brain damage, or there may even be obvious abnormalities that are known to be incompatible with life. In these cases. There are those that would ask, would not benign neglect be better ?

It is the obstetrician that will be faulted, regardless of the facts, his decision or the outcome. Often there are lay persons searching for an error, finding fault and pursuing justice in the name of law. And regardless of the validity of their claim. Forging forward for financial gains to supplement an irretrievable loss. Therein lies the reason that so many good obstetricians have left the field of medicine and have gone into research.

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