2009 John Conley Ethics Essay Contest for Medical Students

Call for Entries

This year’s John Conley Foundation for Ethics and Philosophy in Medicine ethics essay competition examines the topic of physicians’ conscientious objection to discussing or providing treatment options to patients that are legal but objectionable to the physician’s religious beliefs. Entrants are to write about the following scenario.

Melanie was a patient at City Fertility Clinic, Inc. She had been trying to conceive for the past year, and had received a couple of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. Although her IVF efforts had not yet been successful, she had not given up hope. She saw Dr. Boyles as a competent professional if not an entirely sympathetic ally in her quest. He had helped her arrange for sperm donation and implantation. It was his clear explanation about his clinic’s proven techniques that had kept her in a positive frame of mind so far. She had even decided to introduce her life partner to him at her most recent visit. She knew it might be a surprise to him because when she started her treatment, it was as a would-be single parent. But she was now happily involved with a life partner, Brigette. A baby would complete their household, she told the doctor, and they could share the parenting responsibilities.

Dr. Boyles had been polite at the meeting and she had chalked up his rather brief conversation with them to his usual busy schedule. So when she got a letter from his office, a few days later, asking that she find another doctor and recommending other clinics, she was very disappointed. The doctor wrote that he did not believe in non-traditional same-sex-parent households and hoped she’d understand these beliefs were deeply held and grounded in his religious upbringing. He thought that another physician could act in Melanie’s behalf with greater understanding and enthusiasm than he could.

Shocked at what she read and angry at being abandoned by her physician, Melanie picked up the phone and called his office. “I need to speak to Dr. Boyles,” she told the receptionist.

“What’s the nature of your problem?” asked the receptionist.

“I just got a letter from your office telling me to find another doctor,” said Melanie. “How can Dr. Boyles dump his patient after more than a year? Just where am I going to find another clinic? You’ve got all my records. It will take weeks to sort this out.”

“I’m sorry,” said the receptionist. “I’m not familiar with the circumstances, but he’s not here right now. I’ll ask him to call  as soon as he returns to the office.”

“Well, you can tell him that I’m reporting him to the state licensing board. This can’t be legal. It is discrimination,” said Melanie, trying to channel her anger. Her next call would be to a health care attorney.

Instructions for Entering

Essays should explore arguments for and against physicians’ conscientious objection. Is this a case of discrimination? Is it appropriate for physicians to choose between non-emergent treatments based on religious beliefs?

Essays will be judged on their applicability to the scenario, thoroughness of analysis, and clarity of presentation. The author of the best essay will be awarded $5,000, and the winning essay will be published in Virtual Mentor. Up to three honorable mention awards of $1,000 each will be made. Essays must not have been previously published in print or electronic format and must not be submitted for consideration to any other journal during the review period.

All current medical students are eligible. Essays must be 2,000 words or fewer. Submit essays typed and double spaced, with the author’s identification (name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, and medical school class) on a cover sheet only—not on the essay pages. Entries must be received as e-mail attachments by midnight CDT, July 31, 2009. Submit essays to Faith.Lagay@ama-assn.org.