A REFLECTIVE STUDY ON ABORTIONS IN THEATRE

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Surgical Nursing
• Reproductive Health

Background:

• Conscientious objection is a complex ethical issue in healthcare, particularly concerning surgical terminations of pregnancy.
• Healthcare professionals, including Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs), face moral dilemmas when their personal beliefs conflict with patient care requirements.
• The duty of care extends to the patient's well-being and the practitioner's own moral and emotional integrity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the concept of conscientious objection for scrub nurses and ODPs involved in surgical abortions.
• To emphasize the importance of self-awareness regarding personal moral and emotional attitudes towards abortion procedures.
• To understand how self-awareness supports professional autonomy and optimal patient care in this context.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of ethical principles related to conscientious objection in surgical settings.
• Discussion of the scrub nurse/ODP's dual duty of care: to the patient and to oneself.
• Exploration of self-reflection strategies for managing moral and emotional responses to abortion procedures.

Main Results:

• Practicing self-awareness of one's moral and emotional stance on abortion is crucial for surgical staff.
• This self-awareness enables nurses/ODPs to maintain professional conduct and personal integrity.
• It facilitates the delivery of high-quality perioperative care while respecting individual rights.

Conclusions:

• Nurses and ODPs can navigate conscientious objection in surgical abortion by understanding their ethical duties and practicing self-awareness.
• Professional autonomy and patient care are enhanced when practitioners are attuned to their personal values.
• Respecting both patient rights and practitioner conscience is essential for ethical perioperative practice.