What are your thoughts on the "morning after pill"?

What exactly do you mean by thoughts? Do you mean...do we agree with it? What do we think about its safety or what?

Personally, I don't think I would ever take a morning-after-pill for various personal reasons.

I think it is a better alternative than abortion and I do write it for my patients that are above 18. I discuss that it is not something to use over and over and i advise them on birthcontrol options. Ihave never written it for the same woman twice. I feel like it doesn't matter what my personal beliefs are, I have an obligation to supply my patients with all their options.

I'd take the pill if I were raped. And while I have never personally believed in abortion under any other situation other than rape, or saving the Mom, I respect the right of other women to do what the will with their bodies. More than that, I respect physicians that can practice without allowing their personal views to affect their medical decisions. :yes:

With that said...I won't say what other people should or shouldn't take...but I am suggesting that I wouldn't take it under almost all circumstances...I mean other people are going to do what they are going to do...

I do also...understand...that physicians should abstain from trying to place their own personal views on patients...

but when I become a physician....I do NOT plan to perform abortions....is that wrong of me to say?

As a physician you can refuse to give treatment of any kind. However, you are obligated to provide your patients with an alternative. For instance, you can say to your patient "I do not perform that service but I would be happy to refer you to a physician who can and I will see you afterwards for your regular appointments" You don't judge, you help them get care, and you let them know you aren't abandoning them.

I with you on that! IF I were interested in OB/Gyn I'd refuse to learn how to do them as well.

I don't plan on abandoning patients....but an ob/gyn first attracted me to medicine....because i love the idea of helping bring life into the world. I just refuse to destroy it though personally...regardless of circumstances...I would have no problem referring because ultimately its the persons choice & not mine.

I apologize on getting this discussion a little off topic though....I hope I didnt offend anyone.

It's a good question and one that we should think about as aspiring docs. Especially if we end up in primary care, because more than likely you will get a girl or woman who has an unplanned and unwanted pregnancy.

Personally I agree with the rest of you except I am completely pro-life even where rape/incest is concerned. My view is that it's not the child's fault they were conceived. I also have an intimate understanding of abortion that let me see both sides of the issue, and trust me, it's not pretty. It's easy to say "it's my body, I'll do what I want" but the after effects might be more painful than having the child.

Anyway, I digress. I am really opposed to it being classified as an OTC drug for reasons associated with possible complications.

Moving to debates. See you there!