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. While ethics and legal issues are related, it is unclear if perinatal nurses apply this theoretical relationship to clinical practice. There is evidence that medical malpractice litigation may be motivated by dissatisfaction with the caring relationship. A patient's moral "right" to a caring relationship, 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 the impact on perinatal outcomes and legal liability.