MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
We decided we needed to look
at our governing legislation
with a new lens
or religious grounds.
We also undertook public polling to capture public sentiment
on conscientious objection in the
health services context. We found
that the vast majority of Ontarians
believe that physicians who object to
providing certain elements of care on
moral or religious grounds should be
required to identify another physician
who will provide the treatment, and
make and/or coordinate a referral.
The working group was tasked
with considering all of these polarized perspectives and drafting a new
policy. The working group’s goal was
to respect both physician and patient
rights to the extent possible; while
ensuring the physician’s duty to the
patient is maintained.
Indeed, the Charter protects the
right to freedom of conscience and
religion, and entitles physicians to
limit the health services they provide
on moral or religious grounds.
However, doing so may impede access to care, violating patient rights
under the Charter and the Code.
In balancing these competing
rights, the working group looked to
the core values of professionalism
which provide the foundation for
the practice of medicine.
As physicians, we have a duty to
prioritize the interests of our pa-
tients, and to facilitate equal access
to care. The draft policy has been
grounded in these core values.
The draft policy, which has been
retitled Professional Obli