Conscientious Objection in Reproductive Healthcare: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals
Understanding Conscientious Objection
Conscientious objection allows healthcare providers to decline participation in certain medical procedures due to personal beliefs. In Canada, this often applies to abortion, contraception, and gender-affirming care. While professionals have the right to object, they also have ethical and legal obligations to prioritize patient care and ensure timely access to services.
Your Responsibilities as a Healthcare Provider
As a healthcare professional in Alberta, you must:
Provide a timely referral to another provider or facility that offers the requested service.
Ensure continuity of care by not delaying or obstructing access to legal medical procedures.
Maintain professionalism by providing accurate, non-judgmental information to patients.
Respect patient autonomy by supporting their right to make informed healthcare decisions without pressure or misinformation.
What You Cannot Do
Conscientious objection does not allow providers to:
Deny or delay care without providing a referral.
Mislead patients with inaccurate information.
Impose personal beliefs on patients.
Refuse emergency care when a delay could harm the patient.
Do Not Refer Patients to Crisis Pregnancy Centres
Crisis Pregnancy Centres (CPCs) may present themselves as neutral or supportive resources but frequently:
Do not offer full reproductive healthcare services, including abortion and contraception.
Use misinformation to sway patients away from abortion care.
Obstruct timely medical access by hiding their true intent to deny abortion services.
As a healthcare provider, you have an ethical duty to refer patients only to reputable, evidence-based medical providers who respect patient autonomy and informed decision-making. Directing patients to CPCs can cause harm by delaying access to care and providing inaccurate or biased information.
Supporting Patient-Centered Care
If you choose to exercise conscientious objection, you are still responsible for ensuring patients receive care in a respectful, efficient manner. Best practices include:
Proactively identifying referral pathways to minimize delays.
Communicating clearly with patients about their options and next steps.
Fostering an inclusive environment where all patients feel supported in making informed healthcare decisions.
Resources for Ethical Practice
Alberta Health Services (811): A trusted resource for referrals and patient support.
College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta: Guidelines on professional responsibilities and patient rights.
Pro-Choice YQL: A resource for connecting patients with pro-choice providers.