You are the general internist in a large, multispecialty...

You are the general internist in a large, multispecialty physician group. The officebased pregnancy test on your patient has just become positive and you estimate the gestational age of the fetus at eight weeks. You are a very deeply religious person in a conservative, midwestern city and you are opposed to abortion because you believe life begins at conception. After extensive discussion about the options, your patient asks to be referred for an abortion. Which of the following is the most appropriate action? a. Inform the patient that you are morally opposed to abortion and you cannot make the referral. b. Terminate your relationship with the patient as her physician. c. Propose social work/psychological evaluation of the patient. d. Tell her you will make the referral after a 30-day consideration period in which she may change her mind. e. Refer the patient for the abortion.

You are the general internist in a large, multispecialty physician group. The officebased pregnancy test on your patient has just become positive and you estimate the gestational age of the fetus at eight weeks. You are a very deeply religious person in a conservative, midwestern city and you are opposed to abortion because you believe life begins at conception. After extensive discussion about the options, your patient asks to be referred for an abortion.
Which of the following is the most appropriate action?
a. Inform the patient that you are morally opposed to abortion and you cannot make the referral.
b. Terminate your relationship with the patient as her physician.
c. Propose social work/psychological evaluation of the patient.
d. Tell her you will make the referral after a 30-day consideration period in which she may change her mind.
e. Refer the patient for the abortion.

Labs

Want to see this concept in action?

NEW

Explore this concept interactively to see how it behaves as you change inputs.

View Labs

Key Concepts

Conscientious Objection

This concept involves a healthcare provider’s right to refuse to participate in procedures or services that conflict with their personal, moral, or religious beliefs. However, when exercising conscientious objection, the provider must still ensure that the patient receives appropriate and timely care—typically by referring the patient to another provider who can perform the service without delay.

Patient Autonomy

Patient autonomy is the principle that patients have the right to make decisions about their own health care based on their personal values and preferences. Respecting patient autonomy means supporting informed decision-making and facilitating access to desired care, even if it contradicts the personal beliefs of the provider.

Professional Responsibility and Duty to Refer

Healthcare professionals have a professional responsibility to act in the best interests of their patients. This duty includes ensuring that patients are provided with access to legal and medically indicated services. When a healthcare provider’s personal beliefs conflict with a patient’s request, the provider must arrange for an appropriate referral to another provider who can offer the desired service, thereby maintaining the continuity and quality of care.

Please give Ace some feedback