Table 1.

Professional standards of care regarding conscientious objection to abortion

Providers have a right to conscientious objection and to not suffer discrimination on the basis of their beliefs

The primary conscientious duty of health care providers is to treat (i.e., provide benefit and prevent harm to) patients; conscientious objection is secondary to this primary duty

Moreover, the following safeguards must be in place in order to ensure access to services without discrimination or undue delays: Providers have a professional duty to follow scientifically and professionally determined definitions of reproductive health services, and to not misrepresent them on the basis of personal beliefs Patients have the right to be referred to practitioners who do not object to procedures medically indicated for their care Health care providers must provide patients with timely access to medical services, including giving information about the medically indicated options of procedures for care, even if they object to these options on the basis of conscience Providers must provide timely care to their patients when referral to other providers is not possible and delay would jeopardize patients5 health In emergency situations, providers must provide the medically indicated care, regardless of their own personal beliefs

Sources: International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ethical issues in obstetrics and gynecology (London: FIGO, 2012); World Health Organization, Safe abortion: Technical and policy guidance for health systems (Geneva: WHO, 2012)