Abstract
BackgroundControversies arise over abortion, assisted dying and conscientious objection (CO) in healthcare. The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between attitudes towards these bioethical dilemmas, and secularity and religiosity.MethodData were drawn from a 2017 web-based survey of a representative sample of 1615 Norwegian adults. Latent moderated structural equations modelling was used to develop a model of the relationship between attitudes.ResultsThe resulting model indicates that support for abortion rights is associated with pro-secular attitudes and is a main “driver” for support for assisted dying and opposition to conscientious objection.ConclusionsThis finding should be regarded as a hypothesis which ought to be tested in other populations. If the relationship is robust and reproduced elsewhere, there are important consequences for CO advocates who would then have an interest in disentangling the debate about CO from abortion; and for health systems who ought to consider carefully how a sound policy on CO can safeguard both patient trust in the services and the moral integrity of professionals. It is suggested that if religiosity wanes and pro-secular and pro-abortion attitudes become more widespread, support for CO might decline, putting into question whether present policies of toleration of conscientious refusals will remain acceptable to the majority.
Highlights
Controversies arise over abortion, assisted dying and conscientious objection (CO) in healthcare
The resulting model indicates that support for abortion rights is associated with pro-secular attitudes and is a main “driver” for support for assisted dying and opposition to conscientious objection
This finding should be regarded as a hypothesis which ought to be tested in other populations
Summary
Controversies arise over abortion, assisted dying and conscientious objection (CO) in healthcare. Conscientious objection (CO), where a healthcare professional refuses to participate in healthcare service provision for moral or religious reasons, is likely to become an increasingly prominent dilemma in jurisdictions and healthcare systems in the Western world [1]. With increasing medical possibilities come more controversial procedures and moral grey zones, including but not limited to assisted reproductive techniques, genetic engineering, therapy based on embryo-destructive research, and prenatal screening. If liberal policies of toleration for CO are perceived to be detrimental in this respect, the health system’s standing in the public’s eyes is likely to be damaged and trust may be eroded
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
