25. ABORTIONS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

Question 1

1. What can be said about this case?

Answer 1

• the doctor has the right to consciences objection
• this is based on their personal and ethical code
• a patient does not have the right to demand that a
  particular doctor gives them a particular treatment
• a doctor must ensure that a patient receives a
  reasonable standard of care

Question 2

2. What is the difficulty with the statement:
   “if a doctor has a conscientious objection to abortions,
   they do not have to be involved”.

NB:
- this is stated in the UK legal framework

Answer 2

IF A DOCTOR DOES CONSCIENTIOUSLY OBJECT
- there is a legal and professional duty to refer the
patients on to an appropriate clinician
- this has to be done within a reasonable time period

DOCTORS MUST HELP
- if the abortion is immediately necessary for life-saving
reasons
- and if there is no one else that is able to assist

DOCTORS MUST HELP WOMEN
- who have had an abortion
- if they require assistance
- EG: haemorrhaging after the abortion

Question 3

3. According to the General Medical Council, what is stated about Personal Beliefs and Medical Practice since 2013?

Answer 3

• a doctor may choose to opt out of providing a
  particular procedure to the patient because of their
  personal beliefs and values

THIS CANNOT:
- directly or indirectly discriminate against the patient
- it cannot harass the patient
- it cannot harm a group of patients

Question 4

4. What must a doctor do in order to object to a
   particular service or procedure?

Answer 4

1. THE PATIENT MUST BE AWARE IN ADVANCE
2. THE DOCTOR MUST TELL THE PATIENT
   
   • that they do not provide that particular treatment or
     procedure
   • the doctor must be careful to not cause distress
3. THE DOCTOR MUST TELL THE PATIENT
   
   • that they have the right to discuss their conditions
     and options for treatment with another practitioner
4. THE DOCTOR MUST MAKE SURE THAT THE PATIENT
   
   • has enough information
   • to arrange to see another doctor who has different
     values and objections

Question 5

5. What question does Virtue Ethics pose?

Answer 5

• “How would the virtuous doctor behave in relation to
  abortion”

Question 6

6. What does Virtue Ethics require of a doctor?

Answer 6

REGARDLESS OF YOUR PERSONAL VIEWS:
- there are particular behaviours that are desirable
- there are also unacceptable behaviours when working
with patients who are seeking an abortion

THE DOCTOR NEEDS TO BE:
- kind
- fair
- honest
- respectful

Question 7

7. What is embedded in Professional Guidance?

Answer 7

• the need to approach abortion virtuously

Question 8

8. How should a doctor behave even if they object to abortions?

Answer 8

• they need to be non-judgemental
• they need to be open
• they need to make a referral at an appropriate time
• they need to be response to the woman who is seeking
  the abortion

Question 9

9. Does this summary make sense?

Answer 9

• yes

Question 10

10. Answer these questions.

Answer 10

• you can either do this verbally or on paper