How Can A Physician Practice Medicine In A Godly Way?

[GregorMendel]

Hey everybody! My favorite gift of the holiday season was my acceptance to medical school! Since this dream has finally been realized, I've been wondering more about the realities of catholic physicians practicing medicine in todays society. We speak a great deal about healthcare and the politics involved, but I've hardly ever heard conversation upon the ways in which medical care is administered by religious physicians to religious patients. So, as a future physician, I would like to know how you all might suggest a catholic physician might practice in a godly manner with his patients. Maybe you've had a meaningful experience with your own physicians or have wished for a more faith based interaction when dealing with matters of personal health, whatever you think might help your treatment and interaction with your physician :)

[Gabriela]

Congratulations!

 

I don't know squat about the medical profession, but I should think that if you

 

1) love all your patients

 

and

 

2) treat all as if they were Christ Himself

 

you should do fine! 

[Nihil Obstat]

Practicing a form of tithing by doing free work for low income people seems to be something a Catholic doctor is uniquely suited for. I am not sure how one makes that work within the system, but I am sure there are many ways.

[beatitude]

Show respect for disabled people, especially those with developmental/intellectual disabilities such as Down's Syndrome. Speak directly to them first, before you talk to their family or carers, even if they have no speech. Make no assumptions about what they can and can't understand. Don't patronize or use baby-talk. Being treated with this type of dignity by my doctors has always made it much less of an ordeal for me to receive physical healthcare, and I think it is deeply connected to an awareness of Jesus in all people, and your own lack of knowledge about them.

[Tantum Ergo]

Congrats for getting into medical school!

 

We really need more Catholic doctors that have a strong knowledge of NFP and NaproTechnology. I have been extremely blessed to live in or near cities with an NFP-only Catholic doctor. When I faced fertility issues, I knew I had a doctor who was 100% on my side, who would never suggest I take birth control pills, yet still offer effective solutions that would be in line with my morals. If I had trouble conceiving, I knew there would be effective treatments available to me (from what I have read, NaproTechnology has a higher success rate than IVF at achieving a live birth, plus it treats the problems underlying infertility). Fewer Catholic couples would be tempted to use IVF if they had an alternative solution that was in line with Catholic teaching. Yet, there are so few Catholic doctors trained in Naprotechnology. 

 

It's great to have a doctor who takes me seriously when I say I use NFP, who can read and understand my charts and spot underlying problems that I may have. I would highly recommend you learn to read NFP charts, because you would be able to offer something as a Catholic doctor to your Catholic patients that other doctors in the area cannot offer. But, I don't know exactly what kind of doctor you're looking to be. NFP probably wouldn't be important for a heart surgeon, but I really think it's essential for a family practice doctor or ob.

 

The two Catholic doctors I have gone to also volunteer their time to care for women in crises pregnancy situations. I really admire them for that. By caring for those women and offering NFP to their patients, these doctors singlehandedly do a lot for the pro-life cause.

Edited February 4, 2013 by Tantum Ergo

[Norseman82]

A freind of mine I knew in college became a doctor and later a Ukranian Catholic priest.  

[Mary+Immaculate<3]

We are all called to imitate Christ, and He cured the sick, healed the afflicted, and even raised the dead. Although not every one of your patients will necessarily come full circle, especially depending on what kind of medicine you will practice, I you approach the medical field in a spirit of humility and trust, God will equip you with His grace. Because there is some emotion pain involved in being a doctor (seeing your patients suffer), if it is your vocation, God will help you cope with that, and, meanwhile, to help you become closer to Him. Your participation in the healing and treatment of the weak, afflicted, sick, suffering, is so much more than a job, a career, in that way. You become very close to the Body of Christ (in many ways). Firstly, there is a better understanding of the extreme physical pain that Christ suffered, because of the studies of the human body. Secondly, when you feel compassion "for the least of [His] brethren," you are compassionate with the emotional/spiritual suffering of Christ. By having prayer be an internal part of your practice, it will be fruitful and fulfilling, both for you and your patients. Entrust your practice to Mary, and ask for St. Luke's intercession.

[tinytherese]

Here are a few links from the Sisters of Life website.

 

Physicians for Life http://www.physiciansforlife.org/

 

American Association of Obstetricians and Gyncologists http://www.aaplog.org/

 

Catholic Medical Assocation http://www.cathmed.org/

Edited February 6, 2013 by tinytherese