Ethics, Professionalism, and Practice-Based Learning
Core principles
Apply autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice. Informed consent requires capacity, disclosure, understanding, and voluntariness. In reproductive medicine, key issues include disposition of embryos, gamete donor anonymity, posthumous reproduction, and conscientious objection.
Professionalism
Recognize conflicts of interest, maintain boundaries, and ensure equitable access. Practice-based learning includes quality improvement, morbidity and mortality review, and incorporating evidence into practice.
Traps
- Assuming a patient's partner automatically has decision-making authority.
- Overlooking that embryo disposition must be addressed at cryopreservation.
- Failing to disclose conflicts or financial incentives.
- Conflating research participation with clinical care.
Worked example
A couple divorces and disagrees about stored embryos: the prior consent document governs. If it specified disposition on divorce, follow it; if ambiguous, legal and ethics consultation is required before any action.