How Honest Should You Be In The Interview ?

[Birdy]

I wonder if a more compassionate way to do this would be to say that the other provider has more experience/training (which, if you never perform terminations, would be true). I don't know.  Not that I am advocating lying to patients, but if I were your patient, in such a vulnerable position, I might feel like a provider was judging me if they simply stated that they don't perform them (even though I (as in myself on this forum) realize that you're not!).  

 

Not saying what you said is a bad way to do it, it's just interesting to think about/discuss.

 

It's a valid concern, and approaches to such potential minefields would certainly require constant refining. I'd imagine one's body language and tone of voice probably play a significant part. Definitely agree that what I wrote could be taken as potentially judgemental if the doctor's body language is standoffish or otherwise negative, but if done with a kind expression, soft tone of voice, and open body language would likely be received differently. Then again, I have all of no clinical experience as a physician yet, so I'm only assuming.

[amichel]

I have explicitly said that I won't say to the patient why I don't perform the procedure ........... only if faced by a direct question by the interviewer ..... but not to the actual patient.

Still a problem. What if your interviewer performs abortions?

 

Calling them a murderer is not likely to get you into med school.

[amichel]

It's a valid concern, and approaches to such potential minefields would certainly require constant refining. I'd imagine one's body language and tone of voice probably play a significant part. Definitely agree that what I wrote could be taken as potentially judgemental if the doctor's body language is standoffish or otherwise negative, but if done with a kind expression, soft tone of voice, and open body language would likely be received differently. Then again, I have all of no clinical experience as a physician yet, so I'm only assuming.

That's true. Like anything you have to assess each individual situation.

[hking03]

What if I honestly believe that abortion is murder ?

 

Forget about the interview for a second ......... suppose this is a real-life scenario.

 

What is wrong in telling the patient: I understand that you want an abortion but I am sorry I cannot perform this procedure ......... I can refer you to Dr. XYZ who is an excellent obstetrician with years of experience in this procedure.

 

In my response I acknowledged the patient's right to have an abortion ......... told her that I can't do it without going into the details as I understand she probably doesn't see abortion the way I do ........... that's okay everyone has their own beliefs ......... I didn't try to preach her or anything like that .......... and I have provided a perfectly equal alternative.

 

So let's say I said all that in the interview and the interviewer asks me a direction question: why would you refuse to perform an abortion ?

 

What's wrong in telling him that I think abortion is murder ?

 

I am supposed to be working hard to save a baby's life not kill it. I can't bring myself to see a heartbeat on the monitor and then open up the patient's cervix and take out the fetus and then look back on the monitor to make sure that there is no heartbeat and that I have taken everything out.

 

Of course I know what pro-abortionists say (and I could mention some of their points to the interviewer) but at the end of the day they don't consider abortion as murder while I do.

 

I know that the actual scenario in the interview will be much more subtle but let's suppose that this is the scenario at hand, seriously what's wrong with my reply ?

 

Everyone should be open-minded to ALL beliefs even if different than one's own, right ?

 

At the end of the day, what harm have I done to the patient ?

Is this guy trolling?

 

I'll chime in and support what others have said.

1. Lying is not a good idea.

2. The MMI isn't perfect. People manage to fool it every year at every school.

3. You should be able to approach any question/dilemma and consider the various answers... You should be able to support your answer with something that isn't emotionally charged.

4. If you get asked about abortion in an interview or in the future as a physician, you should be able to approach the scenario without resorting to "because it's murder" as your justification.

5. As a healthcare professional you wield power... Being tactless with a person who is in a stressful situation could potentially ruin their life, your future doctor-patient relationship, and their opinion of healthcare and other workers in the field. Not to mention the fact that you would likely end up with a multitude of complaints with the college... So that's the "harm" you've done. Not to mention the emotional turmoil you would put the patient through with a "because it's murder" approach.

6. This applies to all things. Not just opinions on abortion. You will have patients ask about getting a blood test or seeing a specialist or a naturopath or a chiropractor or vaccinating their child or wanting medical marijuana for their pain or wanting you to sign a sick note for extended leave or whatever else comes through the door... It's your job to figure out a way to either give them what they want or show them in a non-judgmental way that you can't give them what they want...

 

Your personal opinions matter very little in medicine. Every patient regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, SES deserves the same treatment. If a person wants an abortion and you don't support it... That is irrelevant... You simply inquire about why they want it, FIFE them and then refer to resources x, y, and z.

 

Good luck.

[SEAL]

Still a problem. What if your interviewer performs abortions?

 

Calling them a murderer is not likely to get you into med school.

 

The major difference between people who are pro-abortion and people who are against it is this point. Pro-abortionists don't see abortion as murder while those who are against it view it that way.

 

So when you are telling me don't say abortion is murder to the interviewer (we already agreed on not saying that to the patient under all circumstances but I am talking about the interview here) ......... you are basically telling me don't say you are against abortion in the first place.

 

I hope you can read what is between the lines and understand what I am getting at here ........

[amichel]

The major difference between people who are pro-abortion and people who are against it is this point. Pro-abortionists don't see abortion as murder while those who are against it view it that way.

 

So when you are telling me don't say abortion is murder to the interviewer (we already agreed on not saying that to the patient under all circumstances but I am talking about the interview here) ......... you are basically telling me don't say you are against abortion in the first place.

 

I hope you can read what is between the lines and understand what I am getting at here ........

Fine, I'm not going to argue. Go ahead and let your interviewer know exactly what you think. Good luck.

[SEAL]

Fine, I'm not going to argue. Go ahead and let your interviewer know exactly what you think. Good luck.

 

This is exactly I wanted to hear .......... now I can clarify what I wrote in my very first post.

 

You see the title of this thread is: how honest should you be in the interview ?

 

It is clear now that if I am really honest, I would be disqualified NOT because I am a bad applicant but because my views are against those of the interviewer and against the general public opinion in Canada .......... although I have already explained that my views would never harm a patient and so shouldn't disqualify me from a med school interview.

 

This is why I suggested just saying what the interviewer wants to hear from the first place ......... but of course people were all over me when I proposed this because ''OMG, you are going to lie ? '' .......... what choice do I have if I am going to be disqualified because of my views NOT because I am a bad applicant ?

 

And this what I meant when I said I need to get into med school first but I can change the world later .......... you see in the ideal world an applicant wouldn't be disqualified because of his views (that I would like to repeat again would never affect patient care).

 

Someone here even wrote: why would anyone become an obstetrician if they you don't want to perform abortions ? 

 

Perhaps they would like to actually save babies not kill them ? Is that not a good enough reason ?

[GH0ST]

Is this guy trolling?

 

I'll chime in and support what others have said.

1. Lying is not a good idea.

2. The MMI isn't perfect. People manage to fool it every year at every school.

3. You should be able to approach any question/dilemma and consider the various answers... You should be able to support your answer with something that isn't emotionally charged.

4. If you get asked about abortion in an interview or in the future as a physician, you should be able to approach the scenario without resorting to "because it's murder" as your justification.

5. As a healthcare professional you wield power... Being tactless with a person who is in a stressful situation could potentially ruin their life, your future doctor-patient relationship, and their opinion of healthcare and other workers in the field. Not to mention the fact that you would likely end up with a multitude of complaints with the college... So that's the "harm" you've done. Not to mention the emotional turmoil you would put the patient through with a "because it's murder" approach.

6. This applies to all things. Not just opinions on abortion. You will have patients ask about getting a blood test or seeing a specialist or a naturopath or a chiropractor or vaccinating their child or wanting medical marijuana for their pain or wanting you to sign a sick note for extended leave or whatever else comes through the door... It's your job to figure out a way to either give them what they want or show them in a non-judgmental way that you can't give them what they want...

 

Your personal opinions matter very little in medicine. Every patient regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, SES deserves the same treatment. If a person wants an abortion and you don't support it... That is irrelevant... You simply inquire about why they want it, FIFE them and then refer to resources x, y, and z.

 

Good luck.

 

I didn't think I'd reply to this thread again after ... but the OP needs this.

 

 

This is exactly I wanted to hear .......... now I can clarify what I wrote in my very first post.

 

You see the title of this thread is: how honest should you be in the interview ?

 

It is clear now that if I am really honest, I would be disqualified NOT because I am a bad applicant but because my views are against those of the interviewer and against the general public opinion in Canada .......... although I have already explained that my views would never harm a patient and so shouldn't disqualify me from a med school interview.

 

This is why I suggested just saying what the interviewer wants to hear from the first place ......... but of course people were all over me when I proposed this because ''OMG, you are going to lie ? '' .......... what choice do I have if I am going to be disqualified because of my views NOT because I am a bad applicant ?

 

And this what I meant when I said I need to get into med school first but I can change the world later .......... you see in the ideal world an applicant wouldn't be disqualified because of his views (that I would like to repeat again would never affect patient care).

 

Someone here even wrote: why would anyone become an obstetrician if they you don't want to perform abortions ? 

 

Perhaps they would like to actually save babies not kill them ? Is that not a good enough reason ?

 

There really is no point debating this issue when you can't separate your own personal opinions (that many disagree with) from how you'd treat the patient. You would think that an anti-abortionist would construct a better argument than "it's murder." The fact that you still cannot wrap your mind around the multitude of advice (that I admit was better than my emotionally charged response), makes you  a "bad applicant" (regardless of stats).

 

You can call this harsh too (as I'm sure many others will). Some can call me naive (which is partially true... I'm more idealistic and do wish the interview can do a better job of sieving through the right people)... but at least I can separate that from how I would practice medicine.

 

"Perhaps they would like to actually save babies not kill them ? Is that not a good enough reason ?"

 

No one is arguing whether or not this is a good/bad reason... but are you gonna sit there and berate a mother, risk destroying rapport with her, and marginalize her while thinking you're defending a moral high ground?

 

This really will be my last post on this thread... you clearly still don't get our message, and I won't indulge you anymore.

 

- G

[ralk]

This is exactly I wanted to hear .......... now I can clarify what I wrote in my very first post.

 

You see the title of this thread is: how honest should you be in the interview ?

 

It is clear now that if I am really honest, I would be disqualified NOT because I am a bad applicant but because my views are against those of the interviewer and against the general public opinion in Canada .......... although I have already explained that my views would never harm a patient and so shouldn't disqualify me from a med school interview.

 

This is why I suggested just saying what the interviewer wants to hear from the first place ......... but of course people were all over me when I proposed this because ''OMG, you are going to lie ? '' .......... what choice do I have if I am going to be disqualified because of my views NOT because I am a bad applicant ?

 

And this what I meant when I said I need to get into med school first but I can change the world later .......... you see in the ideal world an applicant wouldn't be disqualified because of his views (that I would like to repeat again would never affect patient care).

 

Someone here even wrote: why would anyone become an obstetrician if they you don't want to perform abortions ?

 

Perhaps they would like to actually save babies not kill them ? Is that not a good enough reason ?

Bull$(@£.

 

You wouldn't be disqualified for presenting your viewpoint, but because you're presenting it in a judgmental manner.

 

A person presenting a similarly judgmental viewpoint in support of abortions (for example, by saying physicians who don't provide abortions are sexist against women) would face the same negative reaction from interviewers. You can frame your opinion without implying those who disagree with you are committing horrible wrongs. That's not being dishonest, it's being civil.

[lisait'syourbirthday]

 

Perhaps they would like to actually save babies not kill them ? Is that not a good enough reason ?

 

You said you didn't want this to be an abortion debate and yet look at what you're saying.

 

It's not your view that is troublesome or that is going to get you disqualified, it's how close-minded and judgmental you are when expressing them. I don't know how much literature you have read regarding the importance of women's reproductive choice and how it affects their physical and mental health, and their socioeconomic standing (I'm not saying I'm the expert either), but it's really coming across as you have this unwillingness to learn and expand and consider other points of view and their societal merits, and THAT is the problem.

 

Anyway, you are almost 100% NOT going to be asked anything regarding abortion. So don't worry about it.

[SEAL]

Everybody is saying that believing in ''abortion is murder'' makes me narrow-minded while this is the single most important fact that differentiates people who are pro-abortion from those who are against it. Any discussion about abortion that doesn't include this point is useless as this point is the center of the whole argument. This is the main reason why people are against abortion, it is not just me !

 

So basically when you say people who think abortion is murder are narrow-minded, you are basically saying all anti-abortion is narrow-minded .......... and thus you are actually judging everybody with this view.

 

Okay ....... imagine you are in an interview ........... and you are anti-abortion ......... please formulate a response to the following couple of questions:

 

1. What would you tell the patient ? (I assume we all agree on what to say to the patient)

 

2. Why would you refuse to perform the procedure ?

 

Now give me a response that is meaningful and at the same time doesn't get me disqualified please.

 

Honestly, I want to know how should I answer this question if I am anti-abortion and plan on giving an honest response.

[ralk]

Everybody is saying that believing in ''abortion is murder'' makes me narrow-minded while this is the single most important fact that differentiates people who are pro-abortion from those who are against it. Any discussion about abortion that doesn't include this point is useless as this point is the center of the whole argument. This is the main reason why people are against abortion, it is not just me !

 

So basically when you say people who think abortion is murder are narrow-minded, you are basically saying all anti-abortion is narrow-minded .......... and thus you are actually judging everybody with this view.

 

Okay ....... imagine you are in an interview ........... and you are anti-abortion ......... please formulate a response to the following couple of questions:

 

1. What would you tell the patient ? (I assume we all agree on what to say to the patient)

 

2. Why would you refuse to perform the procedure ?

 

Now give me a response that is meaningful and at the same time doesn't get me disqualified please.

 

Honestly, I want to know how should I answer this question if I am anti-abortion and plan on giving an honest response.

 

Your initial response was fine: "I understand that you want an abortion but I am sorry I cannot perform this procedure ......... I can refer you to Dr. XYZ who is an excellent obstetrician with years of experience in this procedure."

 

If a patient or interviewer asks why you can't perform one, say that you have chosen not to due to personal beliefs and reiterate your willingness to refer to another provider. There's no need to go any further than that.

 

Look, opinions on controversial subjects, including abortion, are wide-ranging in the medical profession and no interviewer is going to give you a litmus test on your personal beliefs. What is expected is that you understand opposing viewpoints, can represent them accurately, and can respond to them with civility. Sometimes that means phrasing your opinion in a palatable manner. Even if you believe abortion is murder, you don't need to say that to adequately answer any plausible question that would come up in an interview, even on the off-chance an abortion question does come up. You will have many patients and colleagues who will either have had an abortion, are asking about abortion, are willing to provide abortions, or support abortion access. Implying, even unintentionally, that you believe that they have committed murder or are considering committing murder undermines your relationship with those patients and colleagues in a way that could meaningfully hinder patient care. Outside a clinical setting, you can express your views with as much candor as you want. But in front of a patient, or in front of an interviewer evaluating you on your potential ability to work with patients, tone it down, for their sake.

[dahonadventurer]

Honesty is the best policy!

[GH0ST]

Everybody is saying that believing in ''abortion is murder'' makes me narrow-minded while this is the single most important fact that differentiates people who are pro-abortion from those who are against it. Any discussion about abortion that doesn't include this point is useless as this point is the center of the whole argument. This is the main reason why people are against abortion, it is not just me !

 

So basically when you say people who think abortion is murder are narrow-minded, you are basically saying all anti-abortion is narrow-minded .......... and thus you are actually judging everybody with this view.

 

Okay ....... imagine you are in an interview ........... and you are anti-abortion ......... please formulate a response to the following couple of questions:

 

1. What would you tell the patient ? (I assume we all agree on what to say to the patient)

 

2. Why would you refuse to perform the procedure ?

 

Now give me a response that is meaningful and at the same time doesn't get me disqualified please.

 

Honestly, I want to know how should I answer this question if I am anti-abortion and plan on giving an honest response.

 

"For me to provide the utmost care, I wouldn't want any of my personal beliefs to potentially risk jeopardizing patient rapport or put us both in an uncomfortable position. Just in case I'm not the best person to accept their request, I want to make sure they are taken care of, even if it's not always by me."

 

But go ahead, if you still want to push the "it's murder" point, just add that to the end to make it OOOOOOOOH so convincing

 

/s

 

- G

[amichel]

We need to stop arguing with this person. They are either trolling or just have zero common sense.

[GH0ST]

We need to stop arguing with this person. They are either trolling or just have zero common sense.

 

Let's be fair... usually most undergrads (and even some graduate students) have zero common sense until they smacked upside the head.

 

Lol looking through this guy's post history... he's also anti maturity theory, thinking that people don't become more mature as they get older. You'd figure that as you get older your probability of experiencing life changing events, thereby allowing you to grow up, would be an important factor.

 

My point is this.... there's simply no way to convince the OP to be open minded. I called him out hard in my first post and got appropriate backlash, but it's becoming more and more clear that oxs are the only stubborn things in the world.

 

- G

[amichel]

Let's be fair... usually most undergrads (and even some graduate students) have zero common sense until they smacked upside the head.

 

Lol looking through this guy's post history... he's also anti maturity theory, thinking that people don't become more mature as they get older. You'd figure that as you get older your probability of experiencing life changing events, thereby allowing you to grow up, would be an important.

 

My point is this.... there's simply no way to convince the OP to be open minded. I called him out hard in my first post and got appropriate backlash, but it's becoming more and more clear that oxs are the only stubborn things in the world.

 

- G

He/she just keeps being inflammatory for no reason. That's not just being an undergrad.

[GH0ST]

Everybody is saying that believing in ''abortion is murder'' makes me narrow-minded while this is the single most important fact that differentiates people who are pro-abortion from those who are against it. Any discussion about abortion that doesn't include this point is useless as this point is the center of the whole argument. This is the main reason why people are against abortion, it is not just me !

 

So basically when you say people who think abortion is murder are narrow-minded, you are basically saying all anti-abortion is narrow-minded .......... and thus you are actually judging everybody with this view.

 

Okay ....... imagine you are in an interview ........... and you are anti-abortion ......... please formulate a response to the following couple of questions:

 

1. What would you tell the patient ? (I assume we all agree on what to say to the patient)

 

2. Why would you refuse to perform the procedure ?

 

Now give me a response that is meaningful and at the same time doesn't get me disqualified please.

 

Honestly, I want to know how should I answer this question if I am anti-abortion and plan on giving an honest response.

 

You asking us or telling us to do something for you? Is this guy for real?

 

You ask us for an honest opinion.... you get a plethora of good opinions on how to address these issues respectfully, while acknowledging your discomfort with the position. Then you go and blurt out this line... "So basically when you say people who think abortion is murder are narrow-minded, you are basically saying all anti-abortion is narrow-minded .......... and thus you are actually judging everybody with this view."

 

No, we are not judging everyone with this view, since few people would even phrase it like you would. I guess I would judge all Christian fanatics as delusional, or by your logic... every physician that has done abortion should be charged with either first or second degree murder... oh but what about the mom? F@#$ me let's charge her as well. Man if I knew that a doctor can be a masochistic, narcissistic asswipe without going to jail, god sign me up!

 

/s

 

Look at the end of the day I doubt anyone cares what your position is. We gave you fair feedback in a potentially difficult situation for you. If you want to continue looking at this issue as black/white.... murder vs not murder, or generalize that one person's viewpoint judges an entire subgroup....that's your prerogative. There's no simple answer for either side, so debating semantics is already useless. If you want to let personal opinions get in the way of your relationship with patients and colleagues, this career isn't for you.

 

The posters here have given you the best advice you can possibly get... take it or leave it.

 

He/she just keeps being inflammatory for no reason. That's not just being an undergrad.

 

Hard to believe that there's a chance he can get into med. Fortunately as a man he won't be treating me with this issue. Sigh I really am a naive, idealistic idiot... the interview really can't weed out everyone.

[lady-]

Everybody is saying that believing in ''abortion is murder'' makes me narrow-minded while this is the single most important fact that differentiates people who are pro-abortion from those who are against it. Any discussion about abortion that doesn't include this point is useless as this point is the center of the whole argument. This is the main reason why people are against abortion, it is not just me !

 

So basically when you say people who think abortion is murder are narrow-minded, you are basically saying all anti-abortion is narrow-minded .......... and thus you are actually judging everybody with this view.

 

Okay ....... imagine you are in an interview ........... and you are anti-abortion ......... please formulate a response to the following couple of questions:

 

1. What would you tell the patient ? (I assume we all agree on what to say to the patient)

 

2. Why would you refuse to perform the procedure ?

 

Now give me a response that is meaningful and at the same time doesn't get me disqualified please.

 

Honestly, I want to know how should I answer this question if I am anti-abortion and plan on giving an honest response.

 

So I'm a very prochoice lady, so maybe I can give you some insight. I personally don't give a shit if you don't want to perform abortions. That's fine by me. The key is to put the patient's autonomy front and center. Respect their right to choose, while also keeping personal beliefs in check. If the patient/ interviewer asks why, the response is always "my personal beliefs lead me to be ethically unable to perform abortions, however I understand that the patient comes first and I will provide a referral". Given that 1 in 4 women will have an abortion in their lifetime, it becomes pretty reprehensible to call everyone who has performed/had an abortion a murderer.

 

I think a more interesting/ challenging follow-up question would be, what if there were no abortion providers to refer to? What if the fetus is causing risk to the Mothers health? What if the fetus is found to have a disability? 

 

Understanding the nuances of the issue will get you into med school. Not lying. 

[SEAL]

Since the very moment I started this thread, I have been attacked multiple times and never once have I derailed this thread to reply back in the same manner I was spoken to.

 

Funny thing is, the people who attacked me (with words like F***) were stressing the importance of being ''civil'' as a doctor ......... but apparently that doesn't apply to them.

 

Congratulations on your acceptances guys .......... you sure look like you deserve them.

 

However, I did get back a number of good responses .......... and to those I would like to say thank you.

 

This will be my last post on this thread.

[amichel]

Since the very moment I started this thread, I have been attacked multiple times and never once have I derailed this thread to reply back in the same manner I was spoken to.

 

Funny thing is, the people who attacked me (with words like F***) were stressing the importance of being ''civil'' as a doctor ......... but apparently that doesn't apply to them.

 

Congratulations on your acceptances guys .......... you sure look like you deserve them.

 

However, I did get back a number of good responses .......... and to those I would like to say thank you.

 

This will be my last post on this thread.

Nobody attacked you until you starting being ridiculous and twisting people's worlds around.

 

Thanks for your congratulations. I actually think I do deserve my acceptance. Thanks for your confirmation though.

[GH0ST]

Nobody attacked you until you starting being ridiculous and twisting people's worlds around.

 

Thanks for your congratulations. I actually think I do deserve my acceptance. Thanks for your confirmation though.

 

It's a little late but congratulations to you too =D

 

He's never going to get what we mean and the plethora of amazing + realistic advice. You can lead a horse to water but can't make him drink.

 

In a few days we will forget this even happened.

 

- G

[older]

Honesty is the best policy!

 

...providing  honesty is not equated with blatant and insensive vocalizing of your own beliefs, whether at inteviews or to the patients.

[62E]

If I am asked about a sensitive topic in the interview ......... let's say abortion .......... if you are an obstetrician and a pregnant female came in and wanted to have an abortion, what would you do ?

 

Currently, abortion is legal in Canada ........ any woman who is less than 22 weeks pregnant can have an abortion ...... I know this.

 

Now let's say I am against abortion ....... and of course my opinion is against the law.

 

Now there are 2 ways I can answer this question:

 

1. Simply lie ........ just say hay I am okay with abortion and I will do it ........ but the problem of this approach is that I won't be able to defend it very well and the interviewer may be suspicious that I am lying.

 

2. Be honest ........... explain to the interviewer why I am against abortion and so I won't do it ......... and tell the interviewer that I would refer the patient to a colleague ......... the advantage of this approach is that I am honest so I will be able to defend my opinion very well ........but of course the major problem with this approach is that I might be red-flagged by the adcom .......... 

 

Of course I know that trying to influence the patient's decision and talking to her about why I am against abortion will NEVER be an acceptable answer in the interview and will definitely get me red-flagged 100% ........... and I really do believe in that a doctor should not impose his own beliefs on a patient in anything that doesn't affect the patient's health .......... a doctor's job is to give medical advice only to the patient.

 

So what do you guys think ?

 

Note: this is NOT a discussion about abortion.

 

This is a discussion about what to do when you are in a situation in the interview where you have to choose between speaking your mind or just saying what you think the adcom wants to hear.

 

It could be abortion, homosexuality, anything.

 

I need to get into med school first ........ I can change the world later

 

IMO you should almost always be honest and genuine (it's much easier & better than trying to be someone else/lying). Having a controversial view won't necessarily hurt you unless you explain yourself poorly and ignore tact.

 

What if I honestly believe that abortion is murder ?

 

Forget about the interview for a second ......... suppose this is a real-life scenario.

 

What is wrong in telling the patient: I understand that you want an abortion but I am sorry I cannot perform this procedure ......... I can refer you to Dr. XYZ who is an excellent obstetrician with years of experience in this procedure.

 

In my response I acknowledged the patient's right to have an abortion ......... told her that I can't do it without going into the details as I understand she probably doesn't see abortion the way I do ........... that's okay everyone has their own beliefs  ......... I didn't try to preach her or anything like that .......... and I have provided a perfectly equal alternative.

 

So let's say I said all that in the interview and the interviewer asks me a direction question: why would you refuse to perform an abortion ?

 

What's wrong in telling him that I think abortion is murder ?

 

I am supposed to be working hard to save a baby's life not kill it. I can't bring myself to see a heartbeat on the monitor and then open up the patient's cervix and take out the fetus and then look back on the monitor to make sure that there is no heartbeat and that I have taken everything out. 

 

Of course I know what pro-abortionists say (and I could mention some of their points to the interviewer) but at the end of the day they don't consider abortion as murder while I do.

 

I know that the actual scenario in the interview will be much more subtle but let's suppose that this is the scenario at hand, seriously what's wrong with my reply ?

 

Everyone should be open-minded to ALL beliefs even if different than one's own, right ?

 

At the end of the day, what harm have I done to the patient ?

 

If the question is limited to simply asking you what you would do in that situation, then your answer "I understand that you want an abortion but I am sorry I cannot perform this procedure ......... I can refer you to Dr. XYZ who is an excellent obstetrician with years of experience in this procedure" is fine.

 

However it's quite likely that the interviewers will ask you to expand on your views (and even if they don't, you should probably explain yourself anyway in this case). If all you have is "because I honestly believe abortion is murder" then you've indicated to the interviewers that either you have not thought deeply about the issue or you have poor communication skills. Try to think more deeply about your views and practice your delivery.

[Bambi]

In your response, you make clear that you do not share your reasoning with the patient, however, you do share your views with the interviewer, while acknowledging both sides of the issue. And, of course, you offer to refer the patient to a colleague.