A policy introduced by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia (CPSNS) is facing backlash from medical professionals for requiring those with conscientious objections to euthanasia to refer patients seeking Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) to other doctors.
The CPSNS guidelines, which all medical professionals must adhere to, were published on May 24 to provide directions on how physicians should care for patients when personal conflicts arise.
“This document applies to all situations in which physicians are caring for patients, including, but not limited to, Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID), immunization, reproductive care and gender-affirming care.”
In addition to ordering doctors to relay all treatment options to patients “even if providing such information conflicts with the physician’s conscience,” the guidelines also require that any physician who has a conscientious objection to certain treatments for personal or religious reasons must refer their patient to a new doctor.
As reported by CTV News, the policy sparked backlash from medical practitioners across the province, who expressed their concerns that it may lead to further family doctor shortages if physicians who fail to comply are suspended or fired. Over fourty doctors, risking discipline, also signed a letter stating they would not follow the policy.
At a news conference organized by the Christian Medical and Dental Association of Canada (CMDA), a nationwide association for Christian medical professionals seeking to glorify God in their practice, several doctors warned that the new policy also inhibits doctors from creating the right treatment plan for patients.
Dr. Jeanne Ferguson, a geriatric psychiatrist in North Sydney, explained at the conference that many of the patients she has had who requested MAID due to mental or physical illness “no longer wanted to kill themselves” after getting proper treatment.
“The new policy by the College of Physicians and Surgeons forces doctors to refer patients for death as a treatment … It doesn’t matter that the doctor, based on their training and experience, believes this is not in the patient’s interests,” she said, adding that threatening to revoke a doctor’s license for failing to comply will deter new doctors from coming to the province to work.
Sharing her sentiments, Halifax-based family doctor Paul Young, who has never referred a patient to seek physician-assisted suicide, explained he feels like he’s being “forced to make a referral” or risk professional consequences.
“Until recently, conscience was always a guiding principle in the practice of medicine and that was supported by our leadership. Unfortunately, that appears to have changed,” he said.
The CMDA’s director, Larry Worthen, also called on members of provincial parliament to step in, suggesting that the province create a patient navigator that lists all treatment options and services available to patients so that they “have a full range of services they need to make a decision about their lives.”
“We are calling on the provincial government to intervene in this situation and call the parties to the table. The College, the Nova Scotia government and us (the association) to discuss and dialogue and find a way through this.”
Despite the criticisms from doctors, the chief executive and registrar of the CPSNS, Dr. Gus Grant, explained in an interview that patients’ rights must take precedence over personal objections.
“These 41 physicians (who have written letters against the regulation) are in effect saying the rules of the profession will not apply to them, and that means their patients will not be supported,” he said, adding that the regulations are a “step to ensuring that patients’ rights come first.”
According to Nova Scotia Health, 43% of all MAID referrals were fulfilled last year, accounting for nearly 25% of all physician-assisted deaths since the process was approved in 2016.
