The "right" to a caring relationship: The law and ethic of care

The ethic of care is often described as the ethical basis for nursing. Whil e ethics and legal issues are related, it is unclear if perinatal nurses ap ply this theoretical relationship to clinical practice. There is evidence t hat medical malpractice litigation may be motivated by dissatisfaction with the caring relationship. A patient's moral "right" to a caring relationshi p, barriers in clinical practice to caring relationships, and legal remedy for perceived violation of the right to a caring relationship are discussed . Nurses must promote sound caring relationships and articulate to others t he impact on perinatal outcomes and legal liability.