Patient X

The topic of abortion has swept through the United States throughout the latter half of the twentieth century up until present day twenty first century leaving nothing in its path but unwavering opinions and debate. It has easily become one of the most controversial topics to date involving biology. The two slogans “Pro-Life” and “Pro-Choice” quickly evolved from personal opinions into single issue groups with radical opinions, of which neither will back down. Although everyone is entitled to their own opinion, when it comes down to it, nobody can really make the decision except for the person who is experiencing the unexpected, unplanned, or unwanted pregnancy. Furthermore, if a woman does not want to tell anybody that she has plans to abort the pregnancy before it becomes anything, most of the time she does not have to. This is because of an agreement that all Doctors are bound to: The Doctor Patient Confidentiality Agreement.  

This confidentiality agreement ensures trust between both the doctor and the patient. It also allows the patient to do what they wish with their bodies under the respect of the doctors opinion and recommendations. According to the source, under this agreement the doctor is obligated to the patients personal needs and beliefs. Would wanting an abortion not be considered one of these? People have almost unlimited opportunities to change their bodies drastically through numerous medical procedures. These procedures range from the removal of an unsightly mole to cosmetic facial and bodily reconstruction to surgically removing part of the stomach in order to lose weight. All of these procedures are drastic and potentially life changing (and even threatening), but nonetheless, kept between the doctor and the patient unless the patient wishes to tell anyone. If all of this is accepted in society, then why should a woman be denied the right to remove an unwanted mass of cells from her body before it becomes anything?

Moreover, there are even exceptions to this confidentiality agreement and abortions rarely fall on this list. One of the only times anything to do with an abortion would fall into the category of needing to tell someone would be if a minor wants to get an abortion. In this case they would have to have parental consent because they are not adults and technically can not consent to any medical procedure without a parent or guardian. One other reason would be if the state requires the woman to tell the “father” before going through with the abortion. More common exceptions to this confidentiality rule would be instances of child abuse or thoughts of hurting oneself or others.

Obviously abortions are a medical procedure and should not be publicized solely for that reason, but they can also be emotionally and psychologically damaging. What would be worse than coming home, most likely a little shaken up and in pain and realizing that everyone knows what you just went through? Imagine some of your closest friends judging you? Or just the fact that everyone knows your personal business? That alone would be devastating. There is absolutely no reason why anyone should know anyone’s medical history other than their own (unless of course the person decides to tell them). There should be no judgement or ostracization of people who choose to abort their pregnancies because it is nobodies business except the woman’s and potentially her partner.

This being said, abortions are currently a legal medical procedure and there is no reason for one to be discussed with anyone other than the woman and her doctor. If the woman decides to tell someone that she trusts for support, that is her decision. The Doctor Patient Confidentiality agreement is one of the fundamental aspects of medicine. It would be a shame to see it misused and have women fall victim to what society as a whole demands but does not understand.

"Legal•Info." Breaches Of Doctor Patient Confidentiality. LegalInfo.com, n.d. Web. 6 Apr. 2014.    

<http://www.legalinfo.com/content/medical-malpractice/breaches-of-doctor-patient-confidentiality.html>.

This website offers cut and dry insight on the Doctor Patient Confidentiality agreement. It tells the reader times when there are exceptions and the basis of  the agreement between the doctor and the patient.

This source is helpful because it is a scholarly article that is purely factual without slurs of opinions being thrown out. It offers to the topic because it discusses how the medical field is a very private one therefore all procedures should be kept private. It would have been more helpful if it was longer but it was still nice that it was concise with its brevity.