Question 1: The pill

Question 1

You are a GP and a 14-year-old girl is your next patient. She would like you to prescribe her the contraceptive pill because she is sexually active. Discuss with the assessor what you would do as her doctor in this situation and some of your ethical considerations.

Option A

Take more of a history: ask her more about the nature of the sexual relationship she is in, what forms of contraception she is currently using, and if her parents are aware.

Option B

As she is 14 and legally still a minor and under the responsibility of her parent guardian, you would involve the mother or father in this decision from the start.

Option C

It is illegal for people under the age of 16 to have sex. I would want the police to be involved.

Option D

I would check her capacity. If I felt she had capacity to make this decision herself I would prescribe the medication.

Option E

I would prescribe her the medication that she wants to make sure she is protected, because she is likely to continue having sex, but I would ensure that her parents knew what I had done so they can talk through with her the risks of under age sex.

Option F

I would encourage her to involve her parents, but if she could maturely weigh up the relevant risks and benefits related to her treatment, then I would not have to involve her parents if she didn't want them to know.