Report Broken Link

The importance of ethical review in midwifery research

Abstract:

Many midwives have a desire to understand more about pregnancy, childbirth and the social context in which these occur. This may be partly driven by aspirations to understand more or improve their own practice and the experience for women and their families. There is also a move within health care to base practice on firm foundations of knowledge rather than on unsupported belief, theory or anecdote (Sackett, Richardson, Rosenberg & Haynes, 1998). All of these factors have meant that many health care providers, such as midwives, are involved in research. However, whenever people are part of a research study there is always the potential that harm could arise. This short article explores why ethics committees review research and some key areas of ethical concern.

 view online article View Document

ethical review, welfare of research participants