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A Saskatchewan doctor is facing disciplinary action for allegedly advising a patient against having an abortion, saying she would regret her choice in the future.
Charges of unprofessional conduct have been brought against Dr. Terence Davids in connection with a December 2023 interaction with a patient that left her “uncomfortable and anxious,” according to the College of Physicians and Surgeons Saskatchewan (CPSS).
Dr. Davids, who is listed as a physician at the Bridge City Mediclinic in Saskatoon, has been accused of “unbecoming, improper, unprofessional, or discreditable conduct,” according to the February filing by the college. He is being reprimanded for allegedly telling the woman, “I don’t think you should go through with this” and “You will regret this and can’t take it back.”
CPSS claims that the physician also asked the patient “Do you believe in our Lord and Saviour?“ When the woman said ”no,” Dr. Davids reportedly responded, “Well you must believe in something.”
Dr. Davids is also alleged to have said she should reconsider the abortion, adding that “I hope you have loved ones in heaven who will take care of your baby in heaven.”
The Epoch Times contacted Dr. Davids for comment but did not hear back prior to publication.
A provincial pro-life organization said it’s “disappointed” in the college’s decision, saying CPSS policies fail to give women seeking abortions the detailed information on the procedure they need to make a well-informed decision.
“We are very disappointed with the decision of the CPSS to charge this doctor with unprofessional conduct in this instance,” Frances Stang, president of the Saskatchewan Pro-Life Association, told The Epoch Times in an email.
“Correct information about abortion should be given to women similar to that which is given to patients for other surgical procedures,” she said. “Neglecting to do this is, in our opinion, negligent.”
Saskatchewan physicians can decline to offer a service, such as abortion, but they are required to provide information for patients to get the services elsewhere, according to the CPSS Conscientious Objection policy.
“Those obligations will generally be met by arranging for the patient to meet with another physician or other health-care provider who is available and accessible and who can either provide the health service or refer that patient to another physician or health-care provider who can provide the health service,” the policy says.
It also indicates that doctors “must not promote their own moral or religious beliefs when interacting with a patient.”
Ms. Stang argued that if doctors were required to provide “complete and accurate information” about the abortion procedure “the doctor’s beliefs would not be a factor.”
“If doctors would provide the objective facts about an abortion, many women would decline. Unfortunately, providing this information seems to be understood as having a moral or conscience component, rather than being standard medical advice,” she said in the email.
The CPSS policy also advises physicians to be careful when communicating with patients when they disagree with the individual.
“While discussing a referral with a patient, physicians must not communicate, or otherwise behave in a manner that is demeaning to the patient or to the patient’s beliefs, lifestyle, choices, or values,” it states.
No date has been set for a discipline hearing.
Dr. Davids received his medical degree from a university in South Africa, according to CPSS information. He finished his Canadian medical evaluation and Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment in 2012.
There is no history of previous disciplinary action against Dr. Davids.