2014.01PU Curriculum of Medical Faculties Pertaining to Elective Early Termination of Pregnancy
Whereas 1 National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) policy, first stated in 1971.7 and reiterated in 1975.18 EM, holds that abortion is a medical and not a legal matter and supports a woman’s right to choice; and
Whereas 2 the most recent data available indicate that there are between 95,000 and 100,000 abortions performed each year in Canada and that nearly one-third of Canadian women will have an abortion during their lifetime; and
Whereas 3 currently the approach of Canadian medical schools in preparing students to deal with the elective early termination of pregnancy is inconsistent across Canada, with some schools providing little or no preclinical or clinical training on this subject and little or no preparation for dealing with other aspects such as consultation, referral, and possible later health complications; and
Whereas 4 many young physicians and surgeons entering the profession therefore have limited training or even none in how to deal with elective termination of pregnancy, and their lack of knowledge may have serious negative consequences for some of their patients, especially young female patients; therefore be it
Resolved 1 that NCWC adopt as policy that the pre-clinical curriculum of all Canadian medical schools include courses concerning the elective early termination of pregnancy; and
Resolved 2 that NCWC urge the Government of Canada to work with the College of Physicians and Surgeons to ensure that the pre-clinical curriculum of all Canadian medical schools includes courses concerning procedures and practices relating to the elective early termination of pregnancy.