A Conscientious objector is one who seeks exemption from roles normally done by his/her profession on moral /religious grounds.
CO has been a remnant of faith based teachings and thus many jurisdictions now have made CO obsolete (and student doctors enter training knowing this).
CO has been a remnant of faith based teachings and thus many jurisdictions now have made CO obsolete (and student doctors enter training knowing this).
It is worrying that CO in Doctors almost universally relates to female reproductive rights – contraception, emergency contraception, sterilisation and abortion. It seeks to control a woman’s reproductive choices.
It gives legitimacy to an assumption that these choices are wrong.
It perpetuates the stigma on women. It is not in their patients best interest, is paternalistic and intrudes the doctor’s morality into a consultation.
It perpetuates the stigma on women. It is not in their patients best interest, is paternalistic and intrudes the doctor’s morality into a consultation.
There are four 'pillars' of medical ethics:
Autonomy – respect for the patient's right to self-determination.
Beneficence – the duty to 'do good'.
Non-Maleficence – the duty to 'not do bad'.
Justice – to treat all people equally and equitably.
CO fails on all four.
Autonomy – respect for the patient's right to self-determination.
Beneficence – the duty to 'do good'.
Non-Maleficence – the duty to 'not do bad'.
Justice – to treat all people equally and equitably.
CO fails on all four.
However CO can further be classified as whether someone will refer onwards to ensure a patient gets the care they need OR they obstruct, deny or abandon a patient.
The privileged exemption of CO exists only because others will provide a service.
"Opt-in" Doctors will provide.
The privileged exemption of CO exists only because others will provide a service.
"Opt-in" Doctors will provide.
We would hope all Doctors will refer onwards.
We will see women whose Doctors have abandoned them.
This is not CO but obstructionism. They are treatment deniers. This is unconscionable.
We expect @MedCouncilIRL to deal with them under the current legislation.
We will see women whose Doctors have abandoned them.
This is not CO but obstructionism. They are treatment deniers. This is unconscionable.
We expect @MedCouncilIRL to deal with them under the current legislation.
We further expect @NAGPIrl ,@IMO_IRL ,@ICGPnews ,@RCPI_ObsGyn or IHCA to remind its members of the Medical Council guidelines.
To focus on patient-centred care & avoid being duped by a v. small minority of Doctors who wish to change guidelines to allow abdication of this care.
To focus on patient-centred care & avoid being duped by a v. small minority of Doctors who wish to change guidelines to allow abdication of this care.
We will have NO part in supporting any union, college or body who facilitates conscientious obstructionism.
