I agree with Diane Wiessinger's comments on ethics.  I don't see that sharing
sound information with a patient is unethical. I call it responsible,
respectful and honest.  She didn't consult with me to hear my opinions or the
opinions of some institution or corporation, she has contracted with me to consult
her with the most accurate lactation knowledge I have available.  I think that
having knowledge that maybe of help to the patient and not sharing it because
it is not "politically correct or is against institution regulation" is
unethical.

Diane, maybe it is because LLL taught us how to share information without
giving advice.  We are OK with sharing information and options and letting the
mother decide for herself and take responsibility for herself and her child.

I don't see how sharing information and allowing the patients to make choices
that they feel comfortable with is a problem.  I think those working in
institutions with regulations might have to be a bit more creative in how they go
about sharing information, but as Diane illustrated it can be done.  It saddens
me when I hear of childbirth educator or lactation consultant who has lost
her job because she shared information about the effects of medications taken
during labor with poor suck and poor breastfeeding outcomes.  But, it also
restores my faith in people who are willing to speak truth and not coward to big
business.

It seems strange to me that in America we have freedom of speech, but there
are the powers to be in corporate America that only allow their employees to
say what they wish the consumers to hear.  It's okay to lie about something in
corporate advertising or to just not tell the whole truth because that's best
for business, but not okay to speak evidence based research or less costly or
less harmful options because it's not in the best interest for business.

I think that we have become confused with our definition of ethics which
according to Merriam-Webster dictionary is "the discipline dealing with what is
good and bad and with moral duty and obligation."  I think that many have
replaced it to mean whatever is "politically correct."  Political correctness seeks
to please everyone and since it's impossible to please everyone, it has become
an attempt to please those to whom it serves their interest best as in money,
power, business, government etc.

JMHO

Warm regards,
Pat Lindsey, IBCLC - Lactation Services www.PatLC.com
Pediatrics Plus' Lactation Consultant www.pedsplus.com
webmaster/Florida Lactation Consultant Association www.flca.info

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