I would like to become a doctor but would not be able to any of these as they violate my beliefs so I was wondering what I would be expected to do in any of these instances
2006-11-13 10:23:15 · 11 answers · asked by bagger12 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
I am currently a practicing Physician Assistant and in my first year of school this question was posed to my entire class. We spent 45 minutes debating it as a class with out professor looking on (and keeping some calm.) After we finished, he told us the "accpeted" medical position that he found in his practice as a PA-C. First, as someone else stated, euthanasia is illegal in all states except Oregon (however, I will admit that I do not know the laws of other countries). What we were told is that if doing certain proceudres or writing certain prescriptions violates our belief system, we are under no obligation to our patient's to perform or prescribe these things. BUT what we do owe to our patients is to provide them with someone who will help them. Our role as a health care provider is to help our patients, not to preach our beliefs unto them. I went to a Catholic university where we were "not supposed" to be taught about abortion and birth control, but of course that is a part of medicine and we need to learn about it for the safety of our patients. As a side note, if you are uncomfortable prescribing birth control medications and performing abortions, but are interested in OB/GYN then I would recommend working in a Catholic hospital/health system as they follow the Catholic beliefs and cannot prescribe or perform them (unless the mother is in danger). However, they do speak to their patients about the option of birth control medications (and other practices) as they are health care providers providing patient education, which is an important part of being a health care provider.
2006-11-13 11:49:54 · answer #1 · answered by KJ 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
yes, at current a doctor can refuse to perform these things. That is not to say that you may not receive pressure to do these things that violate your beliefs. Currently many pharmacist are receiving pressure about dispensing the morning after pill. Same principle. You must stay informed and watch for laws and ballot issues that could go against everything you believe in. You must voice your opposition to those things that rise up against the very beliefs you hold so dear.
2006-11-13 11:20:37 · answer #2 · answered by india 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can refuse to perform an abortion based on your beliefs, but you have to tell the patient options, for example, recommend a colleage that performs abortion, or inform the patient of abortion clinics. You always have to inform the patient about his/her options, even thou they can be against your beliefs (believe me, you are going to see this a lot). Don't let this stop you for studying this wonderful career. I love every min of it.
2006-11-13 16:00:19 · answer #3 · answered by vitreous 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For veterinary medicine (and I assume medicine in general), doctors are held to their own ethical and moral values. As a doctor, you have the full control to decide which procedures you perform. First and foremost, by the Hippocratic oath, you are held to your own values to do no harm.
Because the above are elective procedures, you are under no legal requirement to perform them; the only problem you may find is from your employer, with whom you can leave if you find yourself having problems.
2006-11-13 13:30:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Euthanasia is not yet legal, therefore, no worry. Go into a field of medicine that does not require abortion like dermatologist. The same should apply for birth control.
2006-11-13 10:29:17 · answer #5 · answered by kny390 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes. When I had my son I was told that the hospital I had him at would not tie my tubes because it was a Catholic hospital.
It might be a little harder if you are part of a medical group or HMO, but in private practice you do have the right to not do things that violate your beliefs.
2006-11-13 10:27:46 · answer #6 · answered by Shalvia 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A doctor does not have to perform an abortion if they do not believe in it...some doctors wont do it....if those are things you are not comfortable doing...you should be a pediatrician
2006-11-13 10:26:33 · answer #7 · answered by JeKa 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not standardly, but your future employer (i.e., the hospital) may have it in yuor contract that you must if asked. If you agree to that in an employment contract, then yes, otherwise no. Even if you did, you could still say no, but say hello to unemployment and a breach of contract lawsuit.
2006-11-13 10:32:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes a doctor can refuse to treat any one or any thing.
2006-11-15 13:58:51 · answer #9 · answered by bramblerock 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes
2006-11-13 10:31:12 · answer #10 · answered by thatgirl127 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋