Conscientious objection to referrals for abortion: pragmatic solution or threat to women’s rights?

BMC Medical Ethics

Morten Magelssen¹  Helge Skirbekk²  Eva M Kibsgaard Nordberg¹ 

[1] Centre for Medical Ethics, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Pb. 1130 Blindern, N-0318 Oslo, Norway;Department of Behavioural Sciences in Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

关键词: Patient rights;    General practitioner;    Conscientious objection;    Abortion;   

Others  :  799579
DOI  :  10.1186/1472-6939-15-15

 received in 2013-10-08, accepted in 2014-02-19,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

Conscientious objection has spurred impassioned debate in many Western countries. Some Norwegian general practitioners (GPs) refuse to refer for abortion. Little is know about how the GPs carry out their refusals in practice, how they perceive their refusal to fit with their role as professionals, and how refusals impact patients. Empirical data can inform subsequent normative analysis.

Methods

Qualitative research interviews were conducted with seven GPs, all Christians. Transcripts were analysed using systematic text condensation.

Results

Informants displayed a marked ambivalence towards their own refusal practices. Five main topics emerged in the interviews: 1) carrying out conscientious objection in practice, 2) justification for conscientious objection, 3) challenges when relating to colleagues, 4) ambivalence and consistency, 5) effects on the doctor-patient relationship.

Conclusions

Norwegian GP conscientious objectors were given to consider both pros and cons when evaluating their refusal practices. They had settled on a practical compromise, the precise form of which would vary, and which was deemed an acceptable middle way between competing interests.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Nordberg et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

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