Introduction:

There are few procedures within medicine, if any, that have fueled as much ethical and moral debate as the question of abortion.  This lecture will focus not on whether or not abortion is ethical or moral but on the way in which physicians deal with this procedure in their training, practice,  and ways they assist and advise patients who request it. Thus we will discuss abortion in terms of the history of a procedure legally done within the United States. The lecture will focus on the following areas.

1. A history of Abortion – from Ancient Rome to modern day
2. Statistics about Abortion and Pregnancy within the US and Worldwide
3. How are abortions commonly performed?  What is a “partial-birth” abortion?
4. What are the current requirements for training residents in abortions and how are abortionists viewed within the world of medicine.

Course Objectives:

1. To learn more about the history of a controversial issue and to understand what are some of the historical perspectives surrounding the moral and ethical issues.
2. To dispel some of the myths concerning who is undergoing abortions, what the indication for an abortion is and to have a better understanding of how and where they are performed.
3. To understand some of the relevant medical, not ethical or moral, issues surrounding the issue of abortion.

Preparation:

• Read the required readings
• Read the Case Study
• Suggestions for Written Assignment:
• Choose one of the cases and describe the advice you would give.  You may use medical or ethical arguments to defend your position.
• Create a scenario and write a letter to the editor about it.
• Review one of the readings for the week or a journal article of you own choosing.

Process

1. Class will begin in lecture hall with Todd R. Griffin, MD from the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
2. After lecture we will adjourn to section to discuss the case study

Study Questions

1. What factors shape physician attitudes toward providing abortions?
2. What socio-economic factors influence patients choice of and access to abortion?
3. What developments in medicine affect the availability of abortion and the morbidity and mortality associated with the procedure?
4. How are abortions funded in this country.  How does funding affect availability
5. What training in surgical abortion are physicians required to receive? Do the same obligations apply to medical abortion?
6. If Ob/Gyn residents do morally oppose abortion, do they have a right to refuse to learn or participate in abortions? "
7. See questions specific to each case at the conclusion of the cases.