title: Exploring how IBCLCs manage ethical dilemmas: a qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Professional health care practice should be based on ethical decisions and actions. When there are competing ethical standards or principles, one must choose between two or more competing options. This study explores ethical dilemmas experienced by International Board Certified Lactation Consultants.
  
  
  METHODS
  The investigator interviewed seven International Board Certified Lactation Consultants and analyzed the interviews using qualitative research methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  "Staying Mother-Centred" emerged as the overall theme. It encompassed six categories that emerged as steps in managing ethical dilemmas: 1) recognizing the dilemma; 2) identifying context; 3) determining choices; 4) strategies used; 5) results and choices the mother made; and 6) follow-up. The category, "Strategies used", was further analyzed and six sub-themes emerged: building trust; diffusing situations; empowering mothers; finding balance; providing information; and setting priorities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides a framework for understanding how International Board Certified Lactation Consultants manage ethical dilemmas. Although the details of their stories changed, the essence of the experience remained quite constant with the participants making choices and acting to support the mothers. The framework could be the used for further research or to develop tools to support IBCLCs as they manage ethical dilemmas and to strengthen the profession with a firm ethics foundation.
authors: School of Nursing, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth RGN3051, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1H 8M5. Joy.Noel-Weiss@uottawa.ca
authors: Joy
authors: J
authors: Noel-Weiss
authors: Betty
authors: B
authors: Cragg
authors: A Kirsten
authors: AK
authors: Woodend
mesh_terms: D001942:Breast Feeding; D002170:Canada; D002568:Certification; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000941:ethics; D003253:Consultants; D003657:Decision Making / Q000941:ethics*; D006075:Governing Board; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007774:Lactation; D028681:Moral Obligations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D033262:Narration; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D011209:Power, Psychological; D036301:Qualitative Research; D035502:Trust