Training and Abortions

[Mossmoon]

I saw a thread on another part of the SDN that made me wonder whether British doctors have to provide abortions. I know that they have the right to refer to another doctor if they want under normal circumstances, but what about in training? Will refusing while a PRHO or SHO make it more difficult to move on in training? If you are a doctor who plans not to perform abortions, are you still made to learn how to do them?

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[leorl]

I believe under British ethical law (guidelines from the GMC), a doctor cannot be forced to do a procedure and has no obligation to provide that kind of service provided that not doing so would not cause the patient to come to harm. I can't see how in the goal to advance in a career, a doctor could be forced to compromise his/her own ethical beliefs ... and I don't believe a senior doctor would force that upon anyone either. Mind you, abortions wouldn't be taught to any joe schmoe doctor. It would be confined primarily to obstetricians, possibly gynecologists or even possibly general surgeons (in case of medical emergencies). I don't even know if it would be taught at SHO level...it's probably more something for reg's, specialist reg's and consultants. The thing is, procedures could be taught to everyone at that level within those fields for emergency purposes - you would still have to know how to perform one and of course each case is different depending on the cause and anatomical considerations

 

[FionaS]

As far as I'm aware, at no point do you actually *have* to do an abortion - although ethically you would have to inform your patients that it is an option and that you would be able to refer them to someone who did provide that service.

Unless you're doing O&G, family planning or GP I don't see that you're going to have much exposure to this area though, and certainly not as a junior. Maybe at reg level and above.

I doubt that it would have any effect on your training, and if it did it would be illegal and you would have grounds to appeal (if you could prove that this was the issue).