Is it right for GPs to introduce religion into medical consultations?

[naomi24]

I’ve just been watching The Big Questions on BBC1 in which GP Dr Richard Scott participated. Following a complaint from a patient who felt that the doctor, by recommending Christianity to him, had belittled his own faith, an investigation was conducted by the GMC, whose rules state that doctors are not allowed to impose personal or religious beliefs on patients. Nevertheless, Dr Scott maintained on the programme that it is acceptable to introduce his religion to his patients.

The surgery is run by six Christian doctors and its website states:

//The Partners feel that the offer of talking to you on spiritual matters is of great benefit. If you do not wish this, that is your right and will not affect your medical care.

Please tell the doctor (or drop a note to the Practice Manager) if you do not wish to speak on matters of faith.//

….. which would appear to suggest that the subject of religion will be introduced into medical consultations unless the patient specifically requests otherwise.

http://www.bethesdamc.co.uk/about_us.html

[emmie]

if my doctors start on about religion, I will find another doctor who doesn't

[China Doll]

No, absolutely not.

[mrs_overall]

I was once waiting to go into the operating theatre (I was carrying a dead baby) and the nurse looking after me began spouting religion at me.
I later made a complaint.

[Zacs-Master]

What next Jehova's Witness Gyms?

[jno]

if you're given an opt-out, what's the problem?

[emmie]

jno, you shouldn't have to opt out.

[boxtops]

Naomi, it's a very personal choice, and this surgery is not far away from us. There are several Christian practices across Kent - I understand that the staff pray before work in the morning, some of the nurses offer to pray with the patients too (if that is what the patients want). Conversely, we also have a number of practices where the GPs are solely from ethnic minorities and are of Muslim or Sikh faith, and many patients with those backgrounds gravitate to those surgeries.

Personally, no - I wouldn't want to be prayed for or with, I want top-notch clinical care.

I think it's intrusive - just because the doctor happens to believe strongly, it doesn't mean that willy-nilly he can introduce his beliefs into my clinical consultations.

[jno]

personally, I feel you shouldn't have to opt out of organ donations; but it seems these days that things are acceptable which once wouldn't have been, as long as people can opt out.

The rules seem clear enough (and fair enough): doctors can't impose their faith on others. Recommending isn't imposing, and if you don't like it you can tell them to stop. And if you still don't think that's enough you can change doctors. If there's any suggestion that medical care has been compromised, that's different - but there isn't.

[4getmenot]

i refuse to see the last doctor i saw about my fertility problems as she said its just not gods time for me.

[boxtops]

4get, I have heard that there is a similar problem at some of these Christian surgeries, they won't help women with contraception or abortion issues, they refer them back to the family planning clinic.

However - these practices do publicise that they are Christian surgeries, and the current legislation now says that you don't have to sign up with the GP nearest to you. If you don't like that ethos, you don't have to register there.

[jno]

quite right, 4get, that's letting religous belief interfere with clinical judgment, and that's plain wrong.

[woofgang]

well at least they are being up front about it. I would be more concerned about GP's whose advice and treatment is affected by their own religious and moral beliefs without making that clear to patients. I would also expect the PCT to be providing alternate community medical options for folk who want a secular approach or an approach based in a different religion...I reckon that surgery might be on wibbly ground.

[Eve]

No, I think the only religious beliefs that should come into practicing medicine are those of the patient and even then it's risky ground (Jehovah's witnesses refusing blood transfusions etc..., especially when it involves minors).

I think an opt out is also inconveniencing and can be distressing for the patient. How does a Dr know what a patient is coming in to talk about? If what comes up doesn't fit with their religious beliefs what then? The patient has to go and see someone else with the added stress (of a third party's beliefs) of then knowing they have been passed on because the first Dr disapproves?

Would a pro-life Dr be able to do their best to preach to talk a woman out of a termination, even on sound medical of psychological grounds such as in the case of rape, abuse, age etc...

[Sqad]

Interesting isn't it, the consensus of opinion (so far) is that ABers want religion keeping out of medical consultations suggesting that the Almighty has no part to play.

YET just follow some posts in the Health section which following pots about patients management reply that "we will pray for you," suggesting that our Almighty does indeed come into the equation.

Catch 22 for the doctor's .....what?

[boxtops]

as above, woofgang - practice boundaries are changing, and in a few months' time the PCTs won't be here any more. GP core services will be commissioned through the new National Commissiong Board - it's to be hoped that they set some standards and guidelines about things like this.

[jno]

I think only amateurs are allowed to pray for people, Sqad; doctors aren't. I blame the Reformation.

[emmie]

sqad, i would wish anyone well if they are ill, but i wouldn't say i would pray for them, that would be a nonsense.

[boxtops]

When I signed up with my GP practice, they never even asked me what religion I practiced (if any) so they wouldn't know whether I could take pork- or alcohol-based medication, etc. They still haven't asked me, 15 years later, so I guess they have no idea of the religious demographics of their patient base.

[China Doll]

Not at all Sqad. If a patient wants pastoral services then send 'em that way. A doctor is there to diagnose, refer onwards and treat as necessary. Relgion is personal so I'd feel the same way about a doctor who spouted religion as I would for a doctor who called me 'mate'... It's simply not professional in my eyes.