mhc

Hi, I'm Mark. I just got on here.
I have a problem I hope someone might have some insight on.
I want to know that my personal care physician is atheist.
How does one go about finding an atheist doctor?
There's not an independent physician referral service in my small city. Is it ok to call doctor's offices and just state that I'm looking for an atheist doctor?
Has anyone here had any experience with this?

Thanks , and hello again!

ju'iblex

hello and welcome.

but why would you need to know your doctor is an atheist? so long as they arent prescribing daily bible study, and they are ethical enough to present you with all the options available to you, i dont see why it should matter.

mhc

Hi ju'iblex!
You're right, an ethical question arises. It has to do with fundamental beliefs about the nature of life, and ethical systems associated with those beliefs. There's trust involved in all doctor-patient relationships.
I'ts unlikely that I would ever meet a doctor who would be so negligent as to entrust my well-being to the control of an imaginary being. But I think that our belief systems color all aspects of our lives. They are, to a great degree, where we act "from".
A Catholic might be more comfortable with a Catholic doctor, and I , especially given the importance of the relationship, would be more comfortable with a physician who shared my basic outlook.

I'm thinking I might get in touch with an atheist society and ask around.


mhc

Psycho Economist

Also bear in mind that, as prefered provider lists get smaller and smaller, the less likely it would be to find a non-religious person. 'Blex is right: as long as he isn't trying to say atheism is making you sick and prescribing some Jesus for you, you should be okay.

If you're worried about being left a mental vegitable until you rot by a doctor who can't bring himself to terminate life support, get a living will now (a good idea either way), and if you're worried about reproductive health choices being unavailable, that's dictated by the health plan.

mhc

I think a physician's responsibilities include more than presenting health care options to the patient. He or she must also inform the patient of all the pertinent aspects of the various options, and the doctor's own beliefs must, consciously or not, shape the way the he represents ideas. We rely on a doctor's judgment even more than his knowledge.
Perhaps atheist businesses in the Yellow Pages could add some atheist symbol to their ads....like the Christians do with the little fish.
yeah, like that'd ever happen!


mhc

Abacus

I think you're being way too sensitive on this matter. There are many fine doctors out there, and many, probably most, are theists of some stripe.

mhc

Hey Abucus,
Hows it going?
Yes, you certainly wouldn't be the first to accuse me of exsessive sensitivity, but , thank goodness, I accept myself as a sensitive being, and understand that even as such, I retain the right to seek what is important to me.
Later,
mhc
:boohoo:

Sakpo

I'd advise you look for a competent doctor and leave it at that. An atheist doctor might still not be a good doctor. Anyway, atheist doctors might not choose to advertise their atheism. Could you provide a concrete example of a situation where you think an atheist doctor would be superior to a theist doctor, all other things being equal?

It'd be interesting to see what Dr. Rick might have to say about this matter if he notices the thread...

mhc

Well, I surely don't want to debate my reasons for my choices.
I was hoping to hear from anyone who might who might have made a similar choice, and maybe get a pointer or two.
The more I think about it, the more I think it is a perfectly legitimate question to pose to a prospective health care provider.
If he dances around the subject, and cannot be forthcoming about his religious beliefs, then I don't want him as my doctor.
I also wouldn't want such a person as a friend, teacher, business partner, or as any significant other in my life. If a person with whom I hope to cultivate an important relationship is unwilling to talk about his or her basic beliefs, or considers them irrelevant, then there is a big piece of the picture missing in my evaluation of their competence.
What we believe about the world is in large part who we are. And I think a good doctor brings himself to the work.


mhc

ju'iblex

i cant disagree more personally. I as an atheist will <and should> only distance myselves from those who show no regard for other peoples beliefs and exhibit bigotry. And thats the only time when i have much concern for what the people around me believe. A medical practitioner shouldnt have to be forthright about his/her beliefs, it has nothing at all to do with their job unless it influences them not to present and inform you with a particular viable option.

Just because someone isnt willing to discuss a matter with you, or their views on that matter differ greatly from yours, especially when it shouldnt even factor into their dealing with you most certainly does not make them incompetent. That's a fucker of a non-sequitur.