The impact of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome epidemic on the philosophy of childbirth.
Few other specialists in medicine are as exposed to body fluids as obstetricians. Anxiety among these health care providers is therefore considerable. Guidelines for universal infection precautions are aimed at minimizing the risk of human immunodeficiency virus transmission by the creation of adequate physical barriers between the patient and the health care provider. Some of these guidelines are mutually exclusive to currently popular childbirth techniques in the very practical sense. However, the more important impact of universal infection precautions is likely to be psychological. Anxiety and the necessity for physical isolation are probably the worst basis for an empathic human relationship with the patient. It is the current challenge of obstetrics to maintain a sensitive and client-centered approach while judiciously dealing with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome epidemic.
Rotmensch
S
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Michael Reese Hospital, University of Chicago.
Rosenzweig
B A
BA
Phillippe
M
M
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006700:Home Childbirth; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011247:Pregnancy; D014481:United States