Pap Smear Ransom - Is It Ethical to Refuse to Refill a Patient's Birth Control Until They Come in for Their Annual Exam?

Published in: International journal of women's health (2020)

A review of the common but questionably ethical practice of refusing to refill a patient's birth control prescription until they are seen in office for, and presumably pay for, a yearly examination. This forced decision between making time for the appointment or risking an unintended pregnancy is comically referred to as "Pap Smear Ransom." This short review examines the limited data to support or decry this common practice.

Keyphrases

primary care
case report
healthcare
pulmonary tuberculosis
decision making
pregnancy outcomes
gestational age
quality improvement
big data
machine learning
pregnant women
artificial intelligence