How would you answer this interview question

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casillas

casillas

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"What would you do if a patient asked you to perform an abortion and you are morally against it?"


let's not make this a debate on whether abortion is wrong or right (you shouldn't start arguing with your interviewer?!)

But how would you answer?
 
you inform her of her choices in either continuing the pregnancy and or terminating it. outline the consequences of each scenario honestly.
in either case, you may want to refer her to counseling for psychological effects stemming from her decision.

after she makes her decision, you either refer her to ob/gyn or another doctor (if you are totally against abortion). another doctor will probably refer her to the appropriate support to terminate pregnancy.

you tell her about contraceptives, safe sex, stds blah blah blah.


i would not make the patient feel uncomfortable as to making her lose confidence/trust in doctors, which could force her to seek untrained support
 
I agree with brooklynblunder. I would explain to the woman about abortion in general and outline the pros and cons of it in as a neutral tone as possible.

After that, I would state my position and tell her how my morals and beliefes prevent me from performing abortions on women. If she agrees with me, then that's that. However, if she insists on the procedure, I would refer her to a OB/GYN or a specialist.

I think the important point here is to try to explain the situation to the patient and educate her as much as possible. Then give her the choice and let her make the decision herself.
 
Your job is always to take care of the patient. Their rights come first. Even if you are against abortion, you are ethically bound to provide all information on where the woman can go to take care of such things. I might emphasize other things that she could do as well, but you can't make that choice for the woman.
 
Consult federal and state laws, as well as hospital policy regarding what you are legally allowed to do

I have a feeling that would clear up any gray area in this matter.

I suspect these types of questions are mainly constructed to test whether you make reckless assumptions. If that response wasn't satisfactory to the interviewer for whatever reason, then I'd go from there.
 
of course you consult the law

i think what the OP was trying to say was the interviewer forcefully puts you in a situation that you strongly disagree with, and see if you act professionally

mmcdowe is exactly right (imo)
 
brooklynblunder said:
of course you consult the law

i think what the OP was trying to say was the interviewer forcefully puts you in a situation that you strongly disagree with, and see if you act professionally

mmcdowe is exactly right (imo)
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I think you underestimate the point. Droning on about a physician's responsibility of educating the patient to the nth degree is irrelevant if the hospital for which you work doesn't perform them.

Also, I probably wouldn't work in a specialty field/hospital in the first place if I had a moral dilemma against a relatively routine procedure.

But let's say the interviewer forces you into the situation (hospital performs abortions, legal by state). Has anyone considered referring the patient to another physician within the hospital who is not morally against the procedure? To me something that conjures emotions as strongly as abortion could potentially get in the way of how seriously you seek to perfect a procedure, no matter how hard you wish to remain "as professional as possible".
 
Ignition said:
Consult federal and state laws, as well as hospital policy regarding what you are legally allowed to do

I have a feeling that would clear up any gray area in this matter.

I suspect these types of questions are mainly constructed to test whether you make reckless assumptions. If that response wasn't satisfactory to the interviewer for whatever reason, then I'd go from there.
Click to expand...

Assuming it is legal, otherwise the answer is just obvious. What would you do then?

I like the answers so far. keep them coming
 
casillas said:
Assuming it is legal, otherwise the answer is just obvious. What would you do then?

I like the answers so far. keep them coming
Click to expand...

Remember: They may not be looking for the answer, but the process by which you arrive at your answer.

Check my most recent post for a potentially different answer if you are interested.
 
casillas said:
"What would you do if a patient asked you to perform an abortion and you are morally against it?"


let's not make this a debate on whether abortion is wrong or right (you shouldn't start arguing with your interviewer?!)

But how would you answer?
Click to expand...

"Lady, I'm a nephrologist, not an OB/GYN."
 
casillas said:
"What would you do if a patient asked you to perform an abortion and you are morally against it?"


let's not make this a debate on whether abortion is wrong or right (you shouldn't start arguing with your interviewer?!)

But how would you answer?
Click to expand...

Something like "I would advise her of ALL the options she has available to her and regardless refer her to seek counseling before making a decision (whatever the decision may be)...If she is still determined to have an abortion I would refer her to a specialist that could help her with that."

The question is not asking you your personal opinion on abortion so you should not say it...it is asking what you would do. As long as you can clearly state that there are a series of steps you would go through when making the decision, you will be fine (assuming they are rational)
 
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-inform her of all options (including abortion)
-give her pros and cons of abortion
-tell her I don't perform the procedure myself and tell her where to go if she wants it done (leaving out my feelings/beliefs about whether it is right or wrong)
-suggest counseling/support

As a doc I don't think you should state your own moral opinion about whether its right or wrong. You can state reasons it might be unsafe or w/e is medically relevant, but a patient is coming to you for a medical opinion. If they want the moral or religious implications you can tell them where to seek counseling, but in the role of a doctor you shouldn't go there unless asked for your PERSONAL opinion.
 
well i would do what most of you have said. Tell her the pros and cons of an abortion and all other options available and then if necessary refer her to a collegue who i know would be willing to perform one.

But then what is bothering me is what if the interviewer has a follow up question like..."so your morals have nothing against passing her on to another physician?"

I guess that's where giving the other options comes in, but who knows how much the interviewer will want out of me.
 
casillas said:
But then what is bothering me is what if the interviewer has a follow up question like..."so your morals have nothing against passing her on to another physician?".
Click to expand...

It's a good point. But isn't it true that you, as a GP, I assume, are not going to perform the procedure in house? Then how does referring for this differ from referring for anything else you're not a specialist in?
 
VassarLiberal said:
It's a good point. But isn't it true that you, as a GP, I assume, are not going to perform the procedure in house? Then how does referring for this differ from referring for anything else you're not a specialist in?
Click to expand...


But i would refer someone to an Ob/gyn to get a mammogram because i am not the best person to perform it, (do not have as much skills)

the reason i would refer this patient is because i think it is wrong not because i can't do it

😕

and this can probably be extrapolated to other moral dilemmas. The role of morals in medicine?
 
red10 said:
-inform her of all options (including abortion)
-give her pros and cons of abortion
-tell her I don't perform the procedure myself and tell her where to go if she wants it done (leaving out my feelings/beliefs about whether it is right or wrong)
-suggest counseling/support

As a doc I don't think you should state your own moral opinion about whether its right or wrong. You can state reasons it might be unsafe or w/e is medically relevant, but a patient is coming to you for a medical opinion. If they want the moral or religious implications you can tell them where to seek counseling, but in the role of a doctor you shouldn't go there unless asked for your PERSONAL opinion.
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ALSO TELL HER OF THE PROs and CONs of the other options!!!
 
What if you're *not* against abortion in the first place?

Can an interviewer still expect you to defend a position that you have zero support for?

I understand the OP's question, because the "correct" answer is that your personal opinions should have no affect on the information you provide to the patient. That you're against abortion is irrelevant. The patient in the end must decide what choice to make.

But what I have issue with is this:

But then what is bothering me is what if the interviewer has a follow up question like..."so your morals have nothing against passing her on to another physician?"
Click to expand...
How can they expect you to feign a moral dilemma when you don't have any morals against abortion in the first place?

EDIT: And would it really be so horrible to speak up about something you feel really strongly about? If I were asked that followup question, would it really be that bad to just say "No, my morals have nothing against passing her on to another physician, in fact my morals have nothing against performing the abortion for her in the first place."
 
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this is a real life situation, don't get too academic into the thinking. you are a professional, not a student/teacher/philosopher. do not over think this.

What role should the physician's personal feelings and beliefs play in the physician-patient relationship?

Occasionally, a physician may face requests for services, such as contraception or abortion, which raise a conflict for the physician. Physicians do not have to provide medical services in opposition to their personal beliefs. In addition, it is acceptable to have a nonjudgmental discussion with a patient regarding her need for the service, and to ensure that the patient understands alternative forms of therapy. However, it is never appropriate to proselytize. While the physician may decline to provide the requested service, the patient must be treated as a respected, autonomous individual. Where appropriate, the patient should be provided with resources about how to obtain the desired service.

http://depts.washington.edu/bioethx/topics/physpt.html#ques5
 
Since there are a number of moral positions (against it only if it's "used as primary birth control" which is difficult to deterrmine in the first place, morally opposed to it in all cases even when life of mother is threatened, etc.) then if you're not morally opposed to it in principle, couldnt you just ask "since this is a hypothetical, why am i morally opposed to it?"

i realize that answering a question with another question can seem kind of rude, but that would signal your acknowledgement of the range of moral objections as well as your non-objection.
 
1. outline all the options.
2. let her make her own decisions.
3. NOT put my "morals" in her mouth.
4. if she wants something I can't/won't do, REFER. It is your obligation as a provider to do so.

Keep your issues out of your patients' lives.
 
no. just answer the ****ing question. there is a right answer to this. its how you would act on a job. you are technically dealing with real people here, not an exam.

if you wanna get into thinking, think like this. most people would act professionally no matter what the morality of the situation entails. this is not just an abortion case, but true for non-compliant patients and other scenarios. at the least, answering the question the way most would will not only give you a greater probability of the interviewer agreeing with you and a lesser chance that you will stand out negatively amongst the applicant he/she interviews.

you are not gonna get that much time to think. most interviewers will be annoyed if you try to give them a reach around. i encountered this exact question interviewing last year. don't forget to tell them about birth control. even if you are morally opposed to them, it can help avoid the more stressful situation and, of course, transmitted diseases.
 
I agree with witness, this is just a medical school interview question, not some moral/ethics debate situation. Just answer the question according to what the majority of SDNers have outlined above: give the patient as much information as possible and give pros and cons of abortion, and refer her to another specialist if necessary. Avoid injecting your personal beliefs into the matter. There, problem solved.
 
This question is not about how you feel about abortion, but how you would deal with an ethical dilemma.

Basically, do not undermine your morals, but respect the patient and do not preach to him/her. If you cannot perform the abortion due to your ethical standpoint (but it is legal) then refer the patient to a doctor that will do it and could see her asap.

A better question would be this:
"What would you do if a patient asked you to perform an abortion and you are morally against it, but it is an emergency procedure and you are the only doctor in the area that could do it?"
 
MarinaS said:
This question is not about how you feel about abortion, but how you would deal with an ethical dilemma.

Basically, do not undermine your morals, but respect the patient and do not preach to him/her. If you cannot perform the abortion due to your ethical standpoint (but it is legal) then refer the patient to a doctor that will do it and could see her asap.

A better question would be this:
"What would you do if a patient asked you to perform an abortion and you are morally against it, but it is an emergency procedure and you are the only doctor in the area that could do it?"
Click to expand...

Well obviously, if the mother's life is in jeopardy, then you would have no choice but to perform the procedure. Whether or not your morals are at stake, your main priority as a physician would be to keep the mother alive.
 
MarinaS said:
A better question would be this:
"What would you do if a patient asked you to perform an abortion and you are morally against it, but it is an emergency procedure and you are the only doctor in the area that could do it?"
Click to expand...
Then you are obligated to perform the procedure.

Chances are if it's that true an emergency, the pregnancy is over anyway.
 
adeline said:
Cite someone who isn't a "bitter old washed up fails at everything" dude next time.
Click to expand...

not only that, the writer identified himself as pro-life from the get-go and the purpose of that entire blog post has nothing to do with this inherent interview question.

even in his blogpost, you can see that medical school faculty are opposed to such a strict stance on not referring a patient based on personal belief. remember that medical school faculty will be the ones interviewing you. its embarrassing enough to sit a med student down and have this conversation, so do not try to be a smartass and get yourself rejected. do not make it any more than what the university of washington website on bio-ethics.

you are free to have any opinion on this situation. however, your answer could restrict if/where you get into medical school. many of you may will never end up in a situation like the question actually presented. but if you want to practice medicine, for whatever reason, i personally would answer professionally to increase the chances that i will succeed in my original pursuits.
 
johndoe3344 said:
How can they expect you to feign a moral dilemma when you don't have any morals against abortion in the first place?
Click to expand...


Exactly. If you're not against abortion, you don't have the anti-abortion mindset and thus even if you do answer the question it can't truly reflect your thinking or logic (or whatever they're looking for) because it is more of a forced answer.
 
strummin said:
Exactly. If you're not against abortion, you don't have the anti-abortion mindset and thus even if you do answer the question it can't truly reflect your thinking or logic (or whatever they're looking for) because it is more of a forced answer.
Click to expand...

feel free to tell this to the person interviewing you and ask them to pick a better question next time.🙄
 
witness23 said:
not only that, the writer identified himself as pro-life from the get-go and the purpose of that entire blog post has nothing to do with this inherent interview question.

even in his blogpost, you can see that medical school faculty are opposed to such a strict stance on not referring a patient based on personal belief. remember that medical school faculty will be the ones interviewing you. its embarrassing enough to sit a med student down and have this conversation, so do not try to be a smartass and get yourself rejected. do not make it any more than what the university of washington website on bio-ethics.

you are free to have any opinion on this situation. however, your answer could restrict if/where you get into medical school. many of you may will never end up in a situation like the question actually presented. but if you want to practice medicine, for whatever reason, i personally would answer professionally to increase the chances that i will succeed in my original pursuits.
Click to expand...
a wild guess, here, but i think this kind of attitude could lead to a lot of unhappiness down the road. i give the adcoms a degree of implicit trust - they'll know if you're a good fit for the school & profession. if you go into the interview and essentially lie your way through it to get in, it probably means your viewpoints, temperament and values may not be best suited for the profession...
 
bleargh said:
a wild guess, here, but i think this kind of attitude could lead to a lot of unhappiness down the road. i give the adcoms a degree of implicit trust - they'll know if you're a good fit for the school & profession. if you go into the interview and essentially lie your way through it to get in, it probably means your viewpoints, temperament and values may not be best suited for the profession...
Click to expand...

Not really...It's just like any other job interview. You say what the interviewer wants to hear in order for you to get accepted/hired. Once in, you're gold. Please cut the righteous bull...
 
jvesco22 said:
Not really...It's just like any other job interview. You say what the interviewer wants to hear in order for you to get accepted/hired. Once in, you're gold. Please cut the righteous bull...
Click to expand...
ah yes. everyone is happy in their jobs. gold. as you say.

please cut the projection of whatever your issue is onto me.
 
Easy answer: you don't do it.

It's easy because consider the corollary: You would perform a procedure that you believe is immoral? Of course not.
 
teenmachinery1 said:
Easy answer: you don't do it.

It's easy because consider the corollary: You would perform a procedure that you believe is immoral? Of course not.
Click to expand...

Yup. In addition, the law is clear that physicians are under no obligation to treat a patient with any procedure, even if they have treated that patient before. If she really wants an abortion she can go to someone else.
 
Would any of you consider her reasons for asking for an abortion before starting on your discussion of the pros and cons, etc?

I mean, I would respond differently if a girl came in and asked for an abortion because she believed her mother/father/boyfriend/husband would beat her if they found out than if she wanted the abortion because she had been sleeping around and didn't know who the father was, than if she just explained that she was raped (granted, I would hope that one would come up long before she 'needs' an abortion). Each of those has an underlying reason for the abortion that needs to be addressed. If she's in an abusive relationship, then she should get counseling, regardless of whether or not she ultimately decides to get the abortion.
 
TooMuchResearch said:
"Lady, I'm a nephrologist, not an OB/GYN."
Click to expand...

LOL!

but honestly, TooMuchResearch has a point here: I wouldn't be an OB/GYN if I was morally against the duties of an OB/GYN. Or, I would make it known that I just don't do abortions, that it's not one of the services I offer. You can't order a Big Mac at Burger King. If the patient feels that she might need an abortion, then she can go to another OB/GYN
 
jvesco22 said:
Not really...It's just like any other job interview. You say what the interviewer wants to hear in order for you to get accepted/hired. Once in, you're gold. Please cut the righteous bull...
Click to expand...

I try to minimize the amount of **** that I have to suck throughout my life. Thanks for the suggestion though.
 
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