Controversies in Medical Ethics: Training in Abortion

Abstract

St. Mary’s Hospital is a Roman Catholic owned and operated teaching hospital located down town. The hospital has several internship and residency programs and medical student rotations, including one in obstetrics/gynecology. The administrator of the hospital learns that part of the requirements for an accredited residency program in obstetrics and gynecology is that all residents learn the indications, processes, and procedures for performing therapeutic abortions. The administrator issues a ruling saying that this is completely unacceptable and that no abortions will be done in St. Mary’s Hospital. Furthermore, the administrator states that it is completely unacceptable to have medical students or residents rotate across the street at Municipal Hospital to perform abortions. He simply does not want his obstetrics/gynecology learners participating in abortions at any location if they are to have an affiliation with his hospital. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), on the other hand, insists that to maintain an accredited residency program, the residents must learn this procedure. What is to be done? Is it appropriate for St. Mary’s Hospital to maintain an obstetrics/gynecology residency program or should they close it? One of the residents in the program, Dr. Mary Smith, insists that she is being denied complete training in her specialty by virtue of St. Mary’s policy. She is threatening legal action. What is to be done? Should you continue the medical student rotation at St. Mary’s?