Informed choice is often discussed when patients decline recommended care, yet the true measure of excellent practice is not whether a patient agrees with a recommendation but whether they were supported to make an informed decision. This session explores informed choice as a core clinical skill that protects patient autonomy while strengthening provider confidence. Participants will review the ethical and legal foundations of choice, examine common challenges in perinatal care, and discuss practical approaches to counselling, communication, and documentation. The focus is on supporting clinicians to provide high-quality, evidence-informed care that respects patient choice while ensuring they can leave even the most difficult conversations knowing they have fulfilled their professional responsibilities.
Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
• Describe the ethical, legal, and professional foundations of informed choice and informed refusal in perinatal care.
• Distinguish between a provider's responsibility to facilitate informed decision-making and a patient's right to make decisions that differ from clinical recommendations.
• Apply practical communication strategies that support thorough counselling, shared decision-making, and documentation, enabling clinicians to leave challenging conversations knowing they have provided excellent care.
Speaker Bio: CJ Blennerhassett is a practicing midwife and former President of the Canadian Association of Midwives. Their work sits at the intersection of direct clinical care, health-system leadership, policy, equity and public advocacy, giving them a rare perspective on both the human and structural sides of health care. CJ has delivered national and international keynote addresses on health system transformation, inclusive care, and midwifery leadership. They are recognized for advancing patient-centered, equity-driven models of care and for championing informed choice as foundational to inclusive health systems. In addition to their leadership and clinical work, CJ is a volunteer firefighter, proudly serving their community as a first responder.
