Mixed blessings: an essay.
It has been 12 years since Robert and Peggy Stinson chronicled the brief life of their prematurely born son in The Long Dying of Baby Andrew. Their story examined the ethical dilemmas involved in providing neonatal intensive care to marginally viable infants. Although much has changed in neonatal intensive care in 12 years time, issues regarding treatment of marginal infants remain unresolved. Further, neonatal intensive care has provided society a window through which to observe the growing fetus, with potentially profound implication for women's reproductive decision-making. The unintended and unanticipated consequences of neonatal intensive care are examined according to Roger's change model, as described in his book Diffusion of Innovations.
Siddell
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D003643:Death; D004993:Ethics, Nursing; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal; D017283:Neonatal Nursing; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology