Question

Allison has asked her doctor to prescribe a "morning after" pill to prevent a pregnancy. Her doctor, Dr. Williams, tells her that he cannot prescribe the pill, which has the ability to abort a pregnancy, based on his own moral beliefs. Allison tells his medical assistant, Amy, that she thinks it is wrong of Dr. Williams to impose his religious beliefs upon his patients. She says that he should not have become a physician if he could not separate his personal values from patient care.
In your opinion, what should Amy say to the patient?
What is her role as an allied health professional?
Should Dr. Williams let his patients know what his religious beliefs are when they are fist seen by the practice?
Is there an ethical or legal problem with Dr. Williams' action?

Answer 1

(This is only my opinion by the way, so you can change anything you want)
I think that Amy should stay out of it personally, but find a way to report the doctor for bringing his religious beliefs into his MEDICAL job. It seems like it would be her responsibility as a proffesional to make sure the patient gets to do what she thinks is right. Dr. Williams shouldn't have to tell his patients about his religious beliefs, because it shouldn't matter in a MEDICAL practice. There is both an ethical and legal problem with his action. A patient should get to make their own choices unless they want to endanger themsleves or others. That is wrong ethically that he took away someone's control over that choice. Opinions and beliefs shouldn't come into this kind of thing. Legally, it is wrong for the same reason. He has no right to do that unless someone's health is at risk.