Doctors in private practice would, of course, have control over their practice and what they would agree to do. But in teaching hospitals, and there are many, many of them in this country, doctors who are on staff are 1) attending physicians supervising the care of patients; 2) professors/teachers teaching the residents; 3) involved in research when not on duty in their units. They must rotate coverage of units, and those who abhor abortion are in a complicated spot.

I guess you could say that they just shouldn’t practice at teaching hospitals, but then residents, there to learn how to be a good doctor after graduating from medical school, would not have the opportunity to learn under some very qualified, compassionate, and morally strong teachers.

As a nurse working at a large university teaching hospital I don’t work in an area which would ever perform abortions. My conscious choice. But, as an employee, I can be mandated to “float” to another area anytime management thinks it necessary. I would want to be “protected” from recrimination if I had to refuse to participate in abortion procedures.

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