Henry O. Thompson’s research while affiliated with City College and other places

There are more questions than answers when one attempts to integrate the concept of ethics into their everyday practice as a nurse-midwife. But answers tend to work themselves out in practice or may come in a moment of crisis when life hangs in the balance. At such moments our personal values come to the fore. By examining our own values in the calm of the classroom we can better understand where we are. The historical perspective presented here also helps us to understand where we have come from. The combination of these, in turn, puts us in a position to enhance the quality of life in helping others, and not merely to impose our value systems on them.

There are more questions than answers when one attempts to integrate the concept of ethics into their everyday practice as a nurse-midwife. But answers tend to work themselves out in practice or may come in a moment of crisis when life hangs in the balance. At such moments our personal values come to the fore. By examining our own values in the calm of the classroom we can better understand where we are. The historical perspective presented here also helps us to understand where we have come from. The combination of these, in turn, puts us in a position to enhance the quality of life in helping others, and not merely to impose our value systems on them.