Questions about abortion

[freakyindiangurl]

If a girl goes in to have an abortion does she have to report the reason why she is having one? What happens if the girl reports the reason is due to incest, are their legal actions taken?

[Jess]

I don't think the doctor performing the abortion will ask, or at least the girl wouldn't be required to answer. I may be completely wrong on that answer, though.........

[Origami]

I don't believe you'd be required to state a reason really.

[Stronk Serb]

No, but if she reports a reason, it is a doctor's duty to not tell anyone, since it is a direct violation of the EDIT: Doctor-Patient Confidentiality law.

[freakyindiangurl]

Good point comrade mike. I know that some states give out financial help to girls who have abortions due to incest, does the hypocrit's vow also apply if a girl applies for these financial help?

[Gigablue]

No, but if she reports a reason, it is a doctor's duty to not tell anyone, since it is a direct violation of the Hypocrit's Vow.

I'm assuming you're referring to the Hippocratic Oath. The oath is actually optional, and many physicians choose not to take it. Furthermore, the oath, at least in its original form, actually prohibits abortion.

I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody if asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect. Similarly I will not give to a woman an abortive remedy. In purity and holiness I will guard my life and my art.


Many doctors take a modified oath, which doesn't mention anything about abortion, however, neither oath mentions anything about patient confidentiality. Confidentiality is a legal matter, and a physician breaking it without a valid reason can be subject to a lawsuit.

In summary, doctors do have to keep confidentiality, but not because of the Hippocratic Oath, which many of them don't even use anymore.

[kenoloor]

No, but if she reports a reason, it is a doctor's duty to not tell anyone, since it is a direct violation of the Hypocrit's Vow.

Maybe you're thinking of HIPAA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_Insurance_Portability_and_Accountability_Act)?

[Stronk Serb]

I'm assuming you're referring to the Hippocratic Oath. The oath is actually optional, and many physicians choose not to take it. Furthermore, the oath, at least in its original form, actually prohibits abortion.



Many doctors take a modified oath, which doesn't mention anything about abortion, however, neither oath mentions anything about patient confidentiality. Confidentiality is a legal matter, and a physician breaking it without a valid reason can be subject to a lawsuit.

In summary, doctors do have to keep confidentiality, but not because of the Hippocratic Oath, which many of them don't even use anymore.

Thank you for pointing that out for me.

Maybe you're thinking of HIPAA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_Insurance_Portability_and_Accountability_Act)?


Some of you have pointed it out here, some parts I googled it, it is the Doctor-Patient Confidentiality law. In almost all countries a doctor must not tell anything to the parents of a minor patient unless it's life threatening. The doctor must not tell anyone about his patient's medical record, if he does, he can have a serious lawsuit and will probably lose his job . In Serbia, you as a minor can use your doctor-patient confidentiality by the age of 15, but before that your parents (guardians) will know everything, and must go ith you to the doctor. In case they are unable to, an adult close relative can go with you instead of them.

Good point comrade mike. I know that some states give out financial help to girls who have abortions due to incest, does the hypocrit's vow also apply if a girl applies for these financial help?


It is actually the Doctor-Patient Confidentiality law. I think the same would apply. The girl would be added to the list, but the list would most probably never be made public and the doctor is bound by law not to tell. He has better things to do then to spread patient informations and lose his job and licence in the process.


-please do not double post. -Emerald Dream

[Walter Powers]

It depends on where you live. In Saudi Arabia, for example, they might, you know, have a public execution of the women wanting to have that done. I'll assume you don't live there, though. What country are you talking about?

[freakyindiangurl]

I'm talking about abortions in United States. I should also make it clear I am not pregnant so my question is more out of curiosity. As I had assumed that one of the main reasons why people got an abortion was due to rape or from incest. But after looking at some of the statistics only about 1% of the reasons given for having an abortion was due to rape/incest which contradicts what I assumed. Non the less I don't want to start another abortion morality debate. Just wondering if maybe those statistics could be skewed as girls might have given another reason for having an abortion out of fear of what people may think if it due to incest or to not bring up an horrific event if it was rape, there might also be the possibility that the woman who do report reasons might be the majority who did not have one due to rape/incest. Of course I do realize that the statistics of a girl getting pregnant due to rape/incest is much lower then the tons of girls out there who are stupid and don't use protection so the 1% statistics could be accurate.

[yviedarling]

If a girl goes in to have an abortion does she have to report the reason why she is having one? What happens if the girl reports the reason is due to incest, are their legal actions taken?

I don't think they ask, no.

There was just a story of a girl that was taken to an abortion clinic by the guy the raped her and the abortion was done without questions.

[GigglyAbby]

Never had one but I'd doubt they ask. Yet -- I would think they would be required to report it if they found out a girl was pregnant by her dad or older brother.