Conscientious Objection Flashcards
What is conscientious objection
The refusal to peform a legal role or responsibility because of personal beliefs
What are the GMC guidelines on practicing medicine according to your beliefs
Must act in line with relevant legislation
Must not treat patients unfairly
Must not deny patients access to appropriate medical treatment or services
Must not cause patients distress
What should you do if you object to a particular procedure
Explain your position to a patient
Explain they can see another doctor
No judgement of patient’s lifestyle choices or beliefs
If patient cannot arrange to see another doctor, you must make these arrangements
In what situations can you conscientiously object?
CAN OBJECT TO PROCEDURE, NOT TO GROUP OF PATIENTSs
In the act of abortion, fertility treatment, withdrawal of life sustaining treatment if there is another doctor willing to take over to perform the act
In what situations must you not conscientiously object
You must still provide care to patients who are due to undergo/have undergone a procedure
Emergency contraception
Lifestyle choices
Specific patient groups
Emergency life saving treatment
