Flemington, NJ, December 29, 2008 – A new national study among 1,736 physicians revealed that while half of physicians support the “right of conscience” bill enacted by the Bush administration, 33% indicated they did not support the rule, and 19% had no opinion.
The “right of conscience” bill, which was enacted on December 18, grants new protections for health care workers who refuse to provide care that violates their personal beliefs. It also calls for a cut in federal funding for any institution that does not accommodate health workers who refuse to participate in care they find ethically, morally or religiously objectionable. In addition, the bill acts as a safeguard against workers being fired, disciplined or penalized for their actions.
The study was conducted by HCD Research during December 22-29 to obtain physicians’ opinions regarding the “right to conscience” bill.
Although half of physicians supported the rule, many did not agree with some of the potential applications of this new protection. For example, approximately 39% of physicians agreed that doctors and hospitals have the right to refuse to perform any procedure that is inconsistent with their personal beliefs. However, nearly three-quarters (73%) did not agree that health care professionals have the right to withhold information about where a patient can obtain the care they need. A vast majority of physicians (80%) disagreed that pharmacists have the right to refuse to fill a patient’s prescription based on marital status.
The majority of physicians (67%) indicated that medical practice should be guided by the moral values of the health care provider, compared to 23% who reported that medical practice should be guided by religious teachings.
Among the Findings:
Respondents indicated their agreement/disagreement with each of the following statements:
|
|
% Who |
% Who Disagree/ Strongly Disagree |
|
The government should be involved in protecting health workers who refuse to participate in care they find ethically, morally or religiously objectionable. |
36% |
31% |
|
Funding should be cut for any institution/organization that does not accommodate health workers who refuse to provide care that they find ethically, morally or religiously objectionable. |
22% |
43% |
|
Pharmacists have the right to refuse to fill a patient’s prescription based on the patient’s marital status. |
7% |
80% |
|
Fertility doctors have the right to refuse to help a patient conceive by artificial insemination based on the patient’s marital status or sexual orientation. |
22% |
52% |
|
Doctors and hospitals have the right to refuse to perform any procedure that is inconsistent with their personal beliefs. |
39% |
29% |
|
Healthcare professionals have the right to withhold information about where a patient can obtain the care that they refuse to administer. |
9% |
73% |
The Media Curves web site provides the media and general public with a venue to view Americans’ perceptions of popular and controversial media events and advertisements.
Editors/Reporters: For more information on the study, or to speak with Glenn Kessler, president and CEO, HCD Research or Chris Borick, Ph.D., director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion, please contact Vince McGourty, HCD Research, at (908) 483-9121 or (vince.mcgourty@hcdi.net).
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