Professional Responsibility

Research shows that medical students exhibit a decline in empathy after they begin interacting with patients which poses a threat to their ability to provide patient-centered care. Patient-centered care challenges doctors to be empathetic, respectful, and compassionate, even during difficult patient interactions or when they have moral objections to the patient’s health behaviors. Teaching about abortion provides a learning opportunity for students to practice empathy and compassion in the face of patient behavior which they may not support.
empathy schema

Changing the Conversation: Contraception

Think of a typical medical student or resident: mid to late twenties, a dedicated student with ambitious career plans, likely to be highly-motivated to avoid pregnancy until the opportune, pre-determined moment. These are not universal characteristics, and yet, as family … Continue reading →

Counseling for Miscarriage Management

Miscarriage is often an emotionally charged event in a woman’s life. A woman diagnosed with early pregnancy loss or incomplete miscarriage has several treatment options, all proven safe and effective. She can choose expectant care, medication management with misoprostol, or … Continue reading →

Where are the Nurses in Abortion Care?

There are no clear guidelines for managing conscientious objection in nursing; not only is it tolerated, but in many institutions, it becomes an unwritten policy.  Many nurses who are supportive of reproductive health choices for women know nurses who refuse … Continue reading →