Ethics in reproductive care

Question 1

Conscentious objection in health care

Answer 1

“Conscience’ means the religious, moral, or ethical principles held by a health care professional”

Question 2

when is a person engaging in conscientious objection

Answer 2

A person is engaging in conscientious objection when they

1) Refuses to provide legal and professionally accepted goods or services that fall within the scope of their professional competence, and

2) Justifies their refusal by claiming that it is an act of conscience or is conscience-based

Question 3

when is a person engaging in conscientious objection

Answer 3

A person is engaging in conscientious objection when they

1) Refuses to provide legal and professionally accepted goods or services that fall within the scope of their professional competence, and

2) Justifies their refusal by claiming that it is an act of conscience or is conscience-based

Question 4

which activities could health care proffessional find ethically or morally challenging

Answer 4

contraception
sterilisation
TOP (abortion)
genetic screening
gene editing
infertility treatment
withdrawal of life sustaining treatment
assisted suicide
use of human cadavers
postmortom procedure
use of live/ dead animals

Question 5

can a clinician conscientiously object to any procedure

Answer 5

NO there are only two areas where the right to conscientious objection can be employed

Question 6

The only two areas where the right to conscientious objection of health care professionals are:

Answer 6

• Termination of pregnancy (Abortion Act 1967)
• Fertility treatment (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990
• Conscientious objection (Medical Activities) Bill 2017 (currently HoL)- relates to end of life care

Question 7

correct procedure if you as a doctor CO to a procedure

Answer 7

• explain to patient if you have a CO to a procedure
• MUST tell them about their right to see another doctor and make sure they have enough info to exercise that right
• do not express disapproval of patients lifestyle, choices or beliefs

Question 8

what can you not do if you CO to abortion

Answer 8

• You cannot decline emergency care for a patient undergoing an abortion
• This may include prescribing analgesia for a patient in pain, prescribing fluids or medication for a patient who is bleeding, or performing resuscitation