Abortion Clinics and Patient Autonomy
krisf...@gmail.com
Toronto is where I live. I want to examine each clinic to learn if
the service given by physicians conforms to a patient autonomy model
of medical practice or paternalistic model of medical practice:
"The traditional paternalistic model of medical practice assumes that
the physician knows what is best for the patient. (4) The patient in
such a model is a passive recipient of the medical care, which
violates fundamental patient rights and therefore cannot be supported.
However, the good aspect of such a model is the trust that a patient
has in his or her physician, (5) which unfortunately can be violated.
The patient autonomy model of medical practice protects patient
rights, gives them partnership status in their health care, and
involves them in the decision-making process. However, this can
sometimes have detrimental consequences for the trusting relationship
that existed between the physician and the patient. The focus is on
providing care to the patient while safeguarding against a possible
lawsuit. This can seriously erode the trust between physician and
patient."
krisf...@gmail.com
to work as a Teller Supervisor, and where I was approached to have an
abortion for my pregnancy by an OB/Gyn doctor (that was in 1989). It
turns out, an abortion clinic has been established in the very
location. It is strange to look at the picture of the front door and
out the windows.
Bloor West Women's Clinic
http://www.bloorwestwomensclinic.com
2425 Bloor Street West, Suite 403
Toronto, ON M6S 4W4
The following is taken from the pages of the Bloor West Women's
Clinic's Website:
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Overview of Your Visit
Our receptionist will give you standard medical forms to complete.
A nurse/counsellor will meet with you privately to review your medical
history, answer your questions and discuss any concerns you may have.
After changing, you will be taken to the procedure room where you will
meet your medical team, consisting of a nurse and a medical doctor. An
ultrasound will be performed to determine the duration of your
pregnancy.
You will be given the appropriate intravenous medications to keep you
relaxed and comfortable during your abortion procedure. You will not
be put to sleep during the procedure. (Research has shown that it is
much safer to have your abortion procedure done while you are awake,
rather than being put to sleep in a hospital setting.)
Your doctor will perform an internal pelvic examination to determine
the size and positon of your uterus. Using this information and the
ultrasound information, she will determine the most appropriate
abortion technique for you.
The abortion procedure itself will take only three to five minutes.
Following the procedure you will be accompanied to the recovery room
by your nurse. You will be offered a drink and a light snack.
After 20-30 minutes, you will be ready to leave. Any questions you
have will be answered and you will be given written information to
refer to in the days to come. Should you wish, you will be given
information about birth control methods.
Please remember that although you are leaving our clinic we are still
available to you. Our clinic physicians carry a pager to address any
pressing concerns you may have following your procedure.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Notes:
1. The Clinic advertises that it does Pregnancy Assessment and
Abortion. According to the overview, pregnancy assessment is done
after counselling, signing of informed consent for abortion, and
administration of intravenous drugs. I wonder if the women had a
previous assessment by the clinic? If not, this to me points to a
paternalistic model of medicine for this clinic. The woman will have
received no information about her own stage of pregnancy, health in
pregnancy, or type of abortion procedure she will undergoe, yet she
has already signed the consent to abort. She cannot make informed
consent without information about her pregnancy and the abortion
procedure to be done in her case.
krisf...@gmail.com
790 Bay Street, 8th floor
Toronto, Ontario M5G 1N8
There is extensive advertising of this clinic online:
http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/centres/sex/program
http://www.womensresearch.ca/programs/clinical/baycentre.php
http://www.toronto.com/shopping/listing/212846
The Centre provides many services related to reproductive health,
including surgical abortion up to 14 weeks. It is associated with
Women's College Hospital and home to various research projects.
I called the Bay Centre to ask about abortion and the individual I
spoke with was a receptionist and was not comfortable talking about
abortion procedures. She referred to second trimester abortion
procedure as 'the other one' though I had used correct surgical
terminology - Dilatation and Curretage.
(I'm just building my list of clinics to research so there will a
number of messages in this thread, one for each clinic)