Set of Codes and Ethics in the Profession Assignment

Set of Codes and Ethics in the Profession - Assignment Example There is also a notion that ethics evolve over time with respect to the problems that professionals face and with the establishment of ethics there is a promotion of confidence in the profession. In its Code of Ethics the American College of Nurse-Midwives it is states that â€Å"midwives support and maintain the integrity of the profession of midwifery and thus contribute to a profession worthy of being considered by society as a public good† (Midwife). Ethics can also help to solve any price stated ethical or moral dilemma that one might face (Husted and Husted, 2008). As a professional in the field of midwifery there have been moments where there is a certain ethical/legal situation that one comes across and does not know how to deal with (Frith and Draper, 2004). At times patients divulge certain facts about their lives and health that, they wish others not to know and expect that they be kept a secret from others. Such facts may well be of such a nature that it becomes di fficult not to discuss them with others for the fear of the safety of the patient. A situation similar to what I was confronted with when a 28 year old Russian woman in her twelfth week of pregnancy came for her booking appointment. A registered midwife was supervising the booking which I was doing at that particular time. was Once the booking had begun the midwife told me that she had to step out of the room for some time and told me to carry on with my work. Once the midwife had left the room the woman who had come in started to disclose to me that she was a victim of domestic abuse at the hands of the man who was now her ex. The woman had told me this information in confidence and requested that I keep it as such and not tell anyone else what she had told me, especially not the midwife. She even requested that I not make a note of it anywhere in the documents. I tried to make her understand that though I would keep the conversation between us a secret, I still needed to inform my superior of the facts upon which she begged me not to. I was in the process of asking her questions about whether she felt safe when the midwife returned to the room and the conversation ceased and I resumed the booking. During the time the woman remained in the room I said nothing to the midwife about the disclosure of domestic violence that the woman had made. Once the woman took her leave I told the midwife what the woman had told me upon which she said to leave the matter the way it was for now. I had concerns about the situation the woman was in and it seemed to me that there should have been a referral and support given to her. I was trying to support the woman into getting herself some support and perhaps break free from the violence that she was in. by telling my supervising midwife I was hoping that something would be done to help the situation the young woman was living in or she would be shown other routes that would help her cause. Nothing was done for her who made it d ifficult for me as I had thought otherwise. It is not clear what the consequences of the decision to sit by and do nothing were that day but they may not have been well received.