Doctors are told not to let their personal faith affect the advice they give to their patients

Published on Monday 17 March 2008 20:09

ABORTION, the wearing of veils for reasons of religion and male circumcision are among the topics tackled by new advice from the body that regulates doctors in the UK.

The General Medical Council (GMC) yesterday published guidance telling doctors not to let their personal beliefs “compromise patient care”.

The GMC says its document, entitled Personal Beliefs and Medical Practice, which has also been published online, was written in response to “an increasing number of enquiries about doctors’ and patients’ personal, religious and moral beliefs”.

The six-page, 29-point document expands on principles set out in the GMC’s core guidance document, Good Medical Practice 2006, which says that doctors must not discriminate against patients by allowing their personal views to adversely affect their professional relationship.

The GMC says the new guidance clarifies the distinction between conscientious objection to a procedure and discrimination against a patient or group of patients.

Some of the questions tackled in the guidance note include:

&#149 Is it ever appropriate for doctors to discuss matters of religious faith with their patients?

&#149 A patient asks for abortion advice from a doctor who believes it is morally wrong. Is that doctor expected to refer the patient to a colleague?

&#149 Does the GMC think female Muslim doctors should be able to wear a face veil at work?

&#149 A doctor has been asked to circumcise a male child. There is no medical reason for the procedure. Should they refuse?

Dr John Jenkins, chairman of the GMC standards and ethics committee, says: “The GMC recognises that personal beliefs, values, and cultural and religious practices are central to the lives of doctors and patients. The guidance balances a doctors’ right to practise in accordance with their views and beliefs, and patients’ right to receive timely and appropriate medical care.

“We are clear that doctors must not mislead patients about the options available to them or leave them with nowhere to turn.

“We hope this guidance will help doctors understand how to apply the GMC’s principles in their day-to-day practice.”

The British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland said it welcomed the guidance.

Sheikh Muhammad Yusuf, a fellow of the Interfaith Alliance, which represents both doctors and patients, says: “We strongly support the GMC’s commitment to providing guidance for doctors on issues of belief and faith in clinical practice.

“Doctors are in a position of power in relation to their patients – this guidance makes it clear that any attempt by doctors to impose their religious or political views would be an abuse of that power.”

Guidance in the document includes: “You must be open with patients – both in person and in printed materials such as practice leaflets – about any treatments or procedures which you choose not to provide or arrange because of a conscientious objection, but which are not otherwise prohibited”.

In terms of solutions, the document suggests: “If your post involves arranging treatment or carrying out procedures to which you have a conscientious objection, you should explain your concerns to your employer or contracting body.

“You should explore constructively with them how to resolve the difficulty without compromising patient care, and without placing an unreasonable burden on colleagues.”

Full details about the guidance note are available at www.gmc-uk.org

&#149 What do you think? E-mail your views about the GMC’s new guidance note to