Edmonton physician opposes mandatory referrals for abortion
Last Updated: Monday, February 23, 2009 | 12:16 PM MT
CBC News
An Edmonton doctor says a proposal by Alberta's licensing body to force doctors to make abortion referrals would take away her right to choose.
In a draft proposal of its Standards of Practice, the Alberta College of Physicians and Surgeons suggests doctors who refuse to perform abortions must refer the patient to someone who will — even if the doctor is personally or religiously opposed to the procedure.
But some doctors say that would force them to set aside their own moral, ethical and religious beliefs.
Dr. Joan Johnston strongly opposes the proposal.
"If this was passed the way it stood, then a physician is no longer entitled to practise according to their conscience. That's a very dangerous situation," she said.
She has written to the college about her concerns.
"As physicians, if we buy into that, it means we have to do something to numb out our conscience," Johnston said.
"How do I live with a guilty conscience? I'm going to have to do something to numb out my conscience if I'm acting in ways in my office that are against my conscience. My patients are going to be in trouble if I'm numbing out my conscience."
Johnston has been a physician for more than 30 years — but said she'd rather quit than refer a patient for an abortion.
However, the interim executive director of OPTIONS, formerly known as Planned Parenthood, in Edmonton said it's dangerous for doctors to pick and choose.
"We can't have the individual physician deciding on whether or not their [patients are] worthy of service. What about gays and lesbians who come to a doctor and want help and just because they [doctors] don't agree with the lifestyle they don't help them?" Robert Smith said.
Ontario physicians went through a similar debate in the fall of 2008, and eventually removed the provision that would have seen doctors face misconduct charges for failing to refer a patient for an abortion.
The Alberta College of Physicians and Surgeons will review the draft proposal for its Standards of Practice in March.
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