An unhealthy compromise? Stakeholders’ views on the current regulation of conscientious objection to abortion in Australia (V)
Bronwen Merner1, University Of Melbourne 1University Of Melbourne
Abstract
Authors:
Merner B, Haining C, Willmott L, Savulescu J, Keogh L
Purpose:
To explore stakeholders’ views about the current model for regulating health practitioners’ conscientious objections to abortion in Australia.
Nature and scope of the topic:
In most Australian states and territories, laws aim to balance the rights of health practitioners who have conscience-based objections to abortion, with the rights of pregnant people to access abortion. Under this “compromise” approach, objectors are exempted from participating in abortion, but must comply with obligations (e.g. referring the patient to another practitioner) to ensure access to care. However, little empirical research has explored how this approach works in practice.
The issue under consideration:
Between December 2022 and September 2023, approximately 40 stakeholders (including abortion providers, objectors and policymakers) will be interviewed about the current model of conscientious objection regulation in Australia. Preliminary results demonstrate that providers perceive some objectors do not comply with referral requirements, resulting in significant impacts on patients already experiencing social or economic marginalisation. Some objectors believe referral requirements constitute an unjustified restriction on their professional autonomy and threaten their moral integrity. Many stakeholders reported that processes for complaining about breaches of obligations were too complex.
Conclusion:
Although conscientious objection provisions in most Australian jurisdictions seek to balance the rights of objectors and abortion seekers, our research found this does not always occur in practice. Through identifying problems with the current approach, this research will inform an optimal model of conscientious objection regulation that aims to restore this balance.
Biography
Dr Bronwen Merner is a Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne where she is exploring the regulation of conscientious objection to abortion in Australia. Bronwen completed her PhD in 2018 at La Trobe University and has expertise in qualitative methods and stakeholder involvement in health care research and services.