Elizabeth (Libby) Bogdan-Lovis and collaborators Charlotte de Vries and Raymond de Vries co-edited a special issue of the Journal of Clinical Ethics on “Place of Birth” (Vol. 24, No. 3, Fall 2013). Her co-authored contribution with Raymond de Vries, “Ethics and the Architecture of Choice for Home and Hospital Birth” identifies competing considerations in the professional tensions surrounding women’s choice of birthplace. Such tensions extend beyond the immediate and direct provider-patient encounter to encompass relationships with colleagues, as well as affiliations with professional organizations, hospitals and third party payors. Place of birth is a contentious issue involving value-driven selection and interpretation of the evidence, perceptions of risk and consequent management, providers’ fiduciary responsibilities and, finally and importantly, patient values. Invited contributors reflect multiple perspectives and vantage points.

See more of Bogdan-Lovis’ work in the areas of birth medicalization and evidence-based medicine at her page at bioethics.msu.edu.