Doctor and Christanity

[My_First]

So I am watching my local news and there is a DR being put in front of the GMC (General Medical Council who oversee Drs in the UK for those across the pond..)

Now, this Dr is a devout Christian. He had a patient come to him who was depressed, and he suggested that he look at Christianity.

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/news/2012/june/11/dr_richard_scott.aspx


Its not the first time he has done it:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/...Scott-GMC-hearing-Faith-heal-doesnt-harm.html

Now I do NOT have a problem with suggesting that a faith could be somewhere to turn when depressed etc. BUT I personally believe, as a Dr, remaining impartial (to which faith) would be a more professional approach.

 

[meli1981]

i totally agree with you! as someone who has suffered from depression just turning to christianity wouldnt have solved my problem. its a disease! would he have told someone with cancer or diabetes to just turn to christianity? no they need medicine! and so do people suffering with depression! although religious aspects can certainly add to recovery, its not something he should be suggesting, hes a doctor!

 

[tallybee]

Religion shouldn't come into healthcare

 

[alaskagrown]

I think faith can do wonders for people trying to heal from an illness or disease and shouldn't be ignored a means of recovery. However I think as a doctor in a general practice he should just mention something along the lines of seeking comfort in your faith or higher power if that plays any role in your life, rather than 'just turning to Christianity.' If the patient shows interest, he could elaborate. If not, move on.

 

[Brookey]

I think a doctor should treat a patient medically, not spiritually.

I would be really angry if my doctor suggested that to me. Depression is an illness and suddenly deciding to beleive in a random religion is not going to get rid of it, i dont believe.

 

[smokey]

Its probably been blown out of proportion by the media as with most things.
For all we know other options where discused as well plus it is clearly a religious based practic as their website and notices stated as such and that spiritual aspects may be discused during a appointment so its forwarned, if you dont want to hear such then find another drs more to your taste

 

[My_First]

He was brought in fromt of the GMC twice, so I dont think it was blown out of proportion in that respect. I guess I personally think it shouldnt be brought into it, or, if it is, not one faith discussed, as a PP mentions

 

[xemmax]

I'm on the fence with this. I think it verges on unprofessionalism by recommending something non-medical and a specific religion which is obviously personal to him. Then again, I get a bit annoyed with how people can't talk about religion with others without people claiming it offends them. I am not religious myself but I dislike how many people feel religion should be pushed into dirty corners out of sight. If he was preaching, fair enough, but I doubt he was, he was making a personal recommendation when he should have been making a professional one, and that's where I think the problem lies, not with what that recommendation was for.

 

[vintage67]

This has happened to me several times over the years and most often in regards to depression.

"Just join a church."

"Have you tried prayer?"

Etc., etc.

I sometimes seek out Jewish doctors now because of this. I have also had issues with doctors from certain cultural backgrounds and so has my mother in regards to anti-woman comments.

 

[smokey]

But it wasnt just personal to him its all the partners there.
He is a missionary and the other partners are all religious so its been advertised that spiritual matters may be discussed.
Far as im concerned if you already know this (its on there website and signs in the drs) then you cant complain when somthing us mentioned that you have been tild could be.
I agree drs in general should stick to medicine but this drs has been advertised as a religious spiritual drs.

Thats like listening to a cd that has a explicit lyrics warning on it then complaining because you heard swearing when all you wanted was music.
If you dont want to hear it go to a differant regular dr

 

[xemmax]

Are doctors allowed to advertise themselves as religious practices though? According to that article it isn't in accordance with GMC guidance.

Saying people should just put up with it if that's what is advertising itself as is a bit of a poor argument because doctors surgeries work in terms of catchment areas and in my area I've known of them not taking new patients because they have too many. People are sometimes denied the choice to choose a surgery. They all need to be providing a reliable, neutral service in order to treat everybody irrespective of cultural or religious background, otherwise anyone could advertise themselves as anything and people would still be forced to see them if no other surgeries were available.

 

[smokey]

Fair enough if he had offered nothing but religious views rather then any medical treatment then of course he should be struck off but I have seen no evidance of that.
All patiants are offered the chance to state they dont wish to discuss such things and if he then continues to push it or raises the subject knowing the patiant has stated such (also use common sense if they are clearly of a different religion dont even go there) then make a complaint.
Nothing is to say he has offered religion instead of medical advice (again if he has then hes an idoit that deserves to loose his job) but if hes offered medical advice and options then said have you thought about religion, yoga, meditation then whats the harm in that, in plenty of cases the mind needs help even if the body has the ailment.

As for the surgery not being allowed to specialise in spiritual cases maybe they shouldnt and maybe it should be banned but as it stands the surgery does specialise in spiritual matterd, it makes no secret of it, it says so on its website and notices, its run by a group of missionaries and even its name is a biblical place that means house of mercy and wad in the bible so why would people be surprised if jesus is mentioned.

Again im not saying how they run the surgery is right, I agree that it probably needs changing and medical advice shoyld be its soul priority but I dont get why people are acting so outraged by it given the nature of the surgery and the fact you have a choice not to discuss or even have it mentionef to you

 

[lhancock90]

He is trained and employed to give medical advice.
As lovely as the strength of his belief, his religion isn't medically proven to cure various illness's.
He shouldn't be suggesting it!

 

[NewMummyx]

Even as a practicing Catholic i find this offensive. Religion has no place in medicine unless sought out by the individual imo.

Bit like me going to a doctor for my Bipolar and being asked if i would convert to Islam/Judiasm etc, id be offended as im not there to discuss theology!

 

[summer rain]

I think there is nothing wrong with GPs suggesting that their patients look into spirituality or religion in general but to push a specific religion, is wrong. A couple of years ago a Muslim dentist or doctor was struck off for asking their female patients to wear hijab; and quite rightly so as it isn't their remit-so its not a case of one rule for Christians another for everyone else. I once saw a counsellor (via my GP surgery at the time) who said very disparaging things about my religion and pushed Christianity onto me, I was really quite taken aback but as I was still only 15 or 16 I didn't know that this could be construed as misconduct and so I never complained xx