Course Project Annotated Bibliography
Catherine Arellano
Ethics-445N
Professor Wilson
June 7, 2019
The word abortion inflicts a variety of emotions for many people. Some are fervent on protecting human life, while the opposition vehemently stands for a woman’s right to choose. Abortions have performed since ancient times. The highly ethical debate on abortions has been a hot topic for centuries.
Czarnecki, D., Anspach, R. R., De Vries, R. G., Dunn, M. D., Hauschildt, K., & Harris, L. H. (2019). Conscience reconsidered: The moral work of navigating participation in abortion care on labor and delivery. Social Science & Medicine, 232, 181–189.
In this article, morals were reviewed of healthcare workers who participated in the care of abortions. This study consisted of 50 interviews on the Labor and Delivery unit at a large midwestern hospital. This unit was chosen due to abortion cares available to the patients. The results of the interviews concluded that there are many different levels of participation in abortion. The healthcare workers were able to choose what they were comfortable in assisting with and what could be delegated to someone else. “The respondents came to their jobs with a range of beliefs and values regarding abortion. These included beliefs based in religion as well as beliefs based on non-religious ideas about what constitutes a moral life” (p 184). Some respondents also had change of heart on their stance on abortion while working in the Labor and Delivery Unit. “Some respondents who entered the profession with a desire to become abortion providers struggled when they encountered the clinical realities of working L + D, where both terminating pregnancies and delivering babies occurred in the same space” (p. 185). I really like how this article holds no bias. It helped me focus on the reality of abortions and how nurses may assist the doctor, such as hand the medication, but is not too involved in the abortion itself. It is more about the care of the patient. I also found it interesting that if a doctor opposes performing the procedure, then another doctor must do more work. This may cause tension between colleagues due to work overload.
Johnson, N. Z., & Robinson, H. J. (2016). Becoming a Healthy Physician: The Transformation. Issues in Law & Medicine, 31(2), 181–183.
In this article, Johnson & Robinson (2016) discussed as physicians they performed abortions in the past but have since now stopped. “Physicians usually don’t go to medical school with the intention of performing abortions. The choice to perform abortions is an insidious process that is nurtured in the secular environment of medical school and residency” (p. 182). This excerpt provides a mere glimpse into the author’s account of becoming an abortion provider. The theme of this includes how physicians are enticed with financial gain and power, which benefits doctors in performing the procedure. They also feel like they are helping women and provide a strong stance on the prochoice option. “We had lost human compassion and sensitivity. We had become morally and ethically bankrupt” (p. 183). I agree on what the author’s write as far as feeling dehumanized and deluded. I think it would take a toll on anyone’s conscious on performing pregnancy terminations on a frequent basis. However, this is just a portion of some physician’s opinions. There could be another study on how doctors do not mind providing this service and actually feel good about helping.
Kotta, S., Molangur, U., Bipeta, R., & Ganesh, R. (2018). A cross-sectional study of the psychosocial problems following abortion. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 60(2), 217–223.
In this article, a cross-sectional study was conducted on the psychological effects after having an abortion. The study included women who had elective and therapeutic abortions in India. The reason for the study was to gain insight on a woman’s mental health after the procedure, since there are many studies on mental health, but remain inconclusive. “ The process of deciding to have an abortion can be difficult, and the reason for electing to have an abortion can affect the psychological responses after the event” (p. 218). The study consisted of women from different faiths, which were Hindu, Muslims and Christians. After the procedure the women were given a questionnaire to fill out regarding their emotions. The results concluded that 57 percent of women had no distress. The women who did have posttraumatic stress disorder had a late term abortion. I did like this article because it narrowed down women who suffered mental health problems after the procedure. It appears that if it is done during the early stages women are less likely to be affected by it. I would have liked to see more depth in the study. For example, the questionnaire was only 12 questions and used a sliding scale for feelings. Using the number one meant “often” feeling a certain way and the number four being “never”. Overall, the research gave insight on possible mental issues after an abortion.
Oberman, M. (2018). Abortion Bans, Doctors, and the Criminalization of Patients. Hastings Center Report, 48(2), 5–6.
In this article, Oberman (2018) discusses the negative causes on abortion bans. The abortion bans she researched are vast, from El Salvador to the United States. She argues abortion is still a common practice, internationally, and there is a widespread due to the availability of abortion drugs. “Although it is always a challenge to study illegal abortion, World Health Organization data show that abortion does not disappear when it is outlawed” (p. 5). Oberman also suggests that if some states in America ban abortion, women who have financial means will just travel to states that allow it. However, women who are economically unstable will most likely use illegal abortion drugs. This article was very thought provoking to me. Oberman explained the effects on illegal abortion and what risks may be caused to young women. She gives sound judgment due to studying the bans in El Salvador and Chile. This makes you realize that these women are desperate and may go to unsafe means to attain the abortion.
Schroeder, K., Miller, C., Shaw, H., & Hutton, L. (2018). Pregnancy in Serious Illness: It’s Not Just Medical Decision Making. Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing, 20(3), 212–218.
This article discusses pregnancy with a serious illness. Women who have a life-threatening illness and are pregnant must make a very difficult choice. This article explains the nurse’s role in the decision process the ethical dilemmas that arise. There are moral and ethical situations for a nurse caring for a sickly patient who must terminate their pregnancy. To help nurses in these dilemmas, a 4-box method was instituted with difficult decision-making. “This method brings together the ethical principles along with clinical indication, patient preferences, quality of life and social, cultural and economical factors in complex decision” (p. 214). It is a standard process to assist with the discussion and resolution of difficult decision in which involves the nurses. “ Nurses are critical frontline staff who are integrally involved with decision making and are often affected by moral and ethical issues” (p. 214). I agree with the authors in providing resolutions to facilitate the nurses to use when in difficult situations. Nurses are the patient’s advocate so I do think this article expresses concern for nurses as well as produce helpful tools regarding pregnancy terminations in ill patients.