Is it ok to ask a new doctor of their religious views?

[AnneElizabeth]

I hope that this is the right place to put this question.

Its it ok to ask your new doctor what his or her religious views are? OR is that very rude or asking for trouble?

I had problems stemming from religious discrepancy between myself and a few doctors I had years ago. Basically, in a nutshell they were anti-catholic (not in a rabid way, but just in strong personal beliefs) and the relationships with these doctors were strained when they found out I returned to my Catholic roots. There were also problems in carrying out some of their advices- things that went against my faith.

I’m now having to find a new doctor, and I just wondered if this was something I could bring up or ask the new physician. Do I have a right to know or ask? Or is this rude and too personal? I don’t want to be too personal as I feel that would be unethical and maybe rude, but I have noticed that religious views can effect the type of care you will receive and whether or not one can carry out the doctor’s advice.

I just wanted to know others take on this, and how they handled such situations. I know that for most medical help, what religion one is or is not does not matter, but there are instances where it does. If you are Catholic, is it better you have a Catholic doctor? Should a Catholic have only a Catholic doctor?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[Allegra]

It’s less important what the doctor’s religious views are than whether or not he or she will respect your religious views. Keep in mind that many, many people claim Catholicism, but don’t practice it, and even work against the Church’s teachings in their daily lives. That being said, I know both my GP and my OBGYN are Catholic and I never had to ask them. They both have crucifixes hanging in their offices and my GP has a very elaborate Phillippino shrine to Our Lady in his waiting room. The pediatrician has all six of his kids’ first communion portraits in a frame in the hallway.

 

[Kelfa28]

For me…it’s too personal and downright rude.

If my doctor can’t respect my religious viewpoints…I can take my business elsewhere.

I know where my midwife, GP and pediatrician stands…they clearly aren’t practicing Catholics.

But, they do know my viewpoint and where I stand and that is all that matters.

They are darn good at what they do and I trust them with my health and my children’s health.

I really don’t care that my midwife favors birth control. That isn’t my business…but it is hers to know that I won’t go on any kind of birth control or get my tubes tied and hers to respect.

 

[AnneElizabeth]

For me…it’s too personal and downright rude.

…

Do you mean with that statement that its rude and too personal for me to ask my new doctor that question, or do you mean it would be too personal and rude for the doctor to ask you your personal religious views? Sorry, just trying to clarify my confusion.

 

[AnneElizabeth]

It’s less important what the doctor’s religious views are than whether or not he or she will respect your religious views. Keep in mind that many, many people claim Catholicism, but don’t practice it, and even work against the Church’s teachings in their daily lives. That being said, I know both my GP and my OBGYN are Catholic and I never had to ask them. They both have crucifixes hanging in their offices and my GP has a very elaborate Phillippino shrine to Our Lady in his waiting room. The pediatrician has all six of his kids’ first communion portraits in a frame in the hallway.

That’s really great that you have a Catholic doctors. How did you find them?

 

[Lou2U]

I hope that this is the right place to put this question.

Its it ok to ask your new doctor what his or her religious views are? OR is that very rude or asking for trouble?

I had problems stemming from religious discrepancy between myself and a few doctors I had years ago. Basically, in a nutshell they were anti-catholic (not in a rabid way, but just in strong personal beliefs) and the relationships with these doctors were strained when they found out I returned to my Catholic roots. There were also problems in carrying out some of their advices- things that went against my faith.

I’m now having to find a new doctor, and I just wondered if this was something I could bring up or ask the new physician. Do I have a right to know or ask? Or is this rude and too personal? I don’t want to be too personal as I feel that would be unethical and maybe rude, but I have noticed that religious views can effect the type of care you will receive and whether or not one can carry out the doctor’s advice.

I just wanted to know others take on this, and how they handled such situations. I know that for most medical help, what religion one is or is not does not matter, but there are instances where it does. If you are Catholic, is it better you have a Catholic doctor? Should a Catholic have only a Catholic doctor?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

I suggest that you tell your doctor that you are Catholic rather than asking them. This way, you can explain what this means in terms of birth control and any other medical areas, so your doctor can advise and treat you to the best of their ability without compromising your beliefs.

Lou

 

[Allegra]

That’s really great that you have a Catholic doctors. How did you find them?

My GP I found because he had a big sign outside his office stating that he takes walk-ins.
The OBGYN was recommended to me by my NFP instructor.
The pediatrician I picked because my sister’s girl went to him and she didn’t think he was bad. I tried “researching pediatricians” but I don’t have enough information to know what constitutes the best training. I figured this practice would be best because there were several doctors and a nurse practitioner, they have Saturday hours, and my kid’s doctor is on staff at our hospital so he has been her physician for all of the procedures she’s had to have.

Basically, religion didn’t play a role in my choice. I just lucked out, I guess.

 

[AnneElizabeth]

I suggest that you tell your doctor that you are Catholic rather than asking them. This way, you can explain what this means in terms of birth control and any other medical areas, so your doctor can advise and treat you to the best of their ability without compromising your beliefs.

Lou

What if experience from the past in doing just that you said resulted in a doctor that didn’t care or acknowledge your Catholic beliefs, but rolled right over them, causing you to speak up and them to get irate with you because you are not doing as they tell you- either that or the irritation from having to deal with a ‘difficult’ patient. ?

I would have to say this is where this question of mine is stemming from.

 

[AnneElizabeth]

My GP I found because he had a big sign outside his office stating that he takes walk-ins.
The OBGYN was recommended to me by my NFP instructor.
The pediatrician I picked because my sister’s girl went to him and she didn’t think he was bad. I tried “researching pediatricians” but I don’t have enough information to know what constitutes the best training. I figured this practice would be best because there were several doctors and a nurse practitioner, they have Saturday hours, and my kid’s doctor is on staff at our hospital so he has been her physician for all of the procedures she’s had to have.

Basically, religion didn’t play a role in my choice. I just lucked out, I guess.

Thanks for your reply.

Yes, you are very lucky… either that or God is watching out for you.

 

[Lou2U]

What if experience from the past in doing just that you said resulted in a doctor that didn’t care or acknowledge your Catholic beliefs, but rolled right over them, causing you to speak up and them to get irate with you because you are not doing as they tell you- either that or the irritation from having to deal with a ‘difficult’ patient. ?

I would have to say this is where this question of mine is stemming from.

If this had happened to me, I would have found a new doctor. I would suggest that you explain your beliefs to them and after doing so, say “Will you respect my beliefs and help me to the best of my ability knowing that I disagree with ______?”. Not only will you get an answer directly, but if your doctor ever tries to steer you in another direction, you can remind them of the conversation you had.

Lou

 

[AnneElizabeth]

If this had happened to me, I would have found a new doctor. I would suggest that you explain your beliefs to them and after doing so, say “Will you respect my beliefs and help me to the best of my ability knowing that I disagree with ______?”. Not only will you get an answer directly, but if your doctor ever tries to steer you in another direction, you can remind them of the conversation you had.

Lou

Unfortunately for me, i was not in a position to leave this doctor (easily) because of rarity of condition and specialty of practice. I have since left, but not without consequences to my health. (hence the search for a new doctor)

I did try and patch things up with this doctor, but they were relentless in trying to knock down my beliefs, almost as if they were trying to defend their own in the process or seeing my concerns to hang onto mine as a threat to theirs.

It was too much of a mess to deal with anymore. I don’t even know how it escalated to that. We are cordial but do not meet eye to eye and I think the trust that is needed is just not there.

 

[Lou2U]

Unfortunately for me, i was not in a position to leave this doctor (easily) because of rarity of condition and specialty of practice. I have since left, but not without consequences to my health. (hence the search for a new doctor)

I did try and patch things up with this doctor, but they were relentless in trying to knock down my beliefs, almost as if they were trying to defend their own in the process or seeing my concerns to hang onto mine as a threat to theirs.

It was too much of a mess to deal with anymore. I don’t even know how it escalated to that. We are cordial but do not meet eye to eye and I think the trust that is needed is just not there.

I’m sorry to hear that. You’re right, if you can’t trust your doctor then you should definitely not stay with them. All I can advise is keep looking, and always have a conversation about your faith. Not all doctors are as forceful as yours was, and all doctors should be more respectful than yours, regardless of whether they agree or not.

Lou

Lou

 

[meltzerboy]

For me…it’s too personal and downright rude.

If my doctor can’t respect my religious viewpoints…I can take my business elsewhere.

I know where my midwife, GP and pediatrician stands…they clearly aren’t practicing Catholics.

But, they do know my viewpoint and where I stand and that is all that matters.

They are darn good at what they do and I trust them with my health and my children’s health.

I really don’t care that my midwife favors birth control. That isn’t my business…but it is hers to know that I won’t go on any kind of birth control or get my tubes tied and hers to respect.

Good answer. I think in most instances, this is what is important.

 

[EasterJoy]

Your doctor’s personal religious views are none of your business. What you have every right to know is if your doctor is willing to practice medicine without violating yours.

You can explain to a new doctor up-front that you had trouble with your last doctor because that doctor did not want to alter how he or she practiced medicine in order to accommodate your religious views. You might say, “My religious views forbid X, Y, and Z. Will accommodating that be a problem for you? If that is added to my chart, will the team at your practice pay attention to that and avoid asking me to violate my beliefs? It isn’t that I mind that you have to tell me about standard-of-care treatment options that I will probably reject because of my beliefs. I understand you may have to explain what I’m refusing to me, if what I’m refusing is widely accepted as the “best” standard of care. I just want to know if you are willing to make an effort to avoid violating my beliefs, because this was a real difficulty with my last physician.”

As long as you acknowledge that your physician may have to bring certain treatments up with you that you will probably reject because the explanation is required to avoid exposing himself or herself to a lawsuit later, these are all fair questions.

 

[AnneElizabeth]

I’m sorry to hear that. You’re right, if you can’t trust your doctor then you should definitely not stay with them. All I can advise is keep looking, and always have a conversation about your faith. Not all doctors are as forceful as yours was, and all doctors should be more respectful than yours, regardless of whether they agree or not.

Lou

Lou

Thanks I agree. I should have known I might have problems with this one doctor- Some online reviews (many to be exact) said similar things about their difficulties with this doc. I really dislike online reviews and i never wish to make a decision strictly by them, because I think its too easy for someone to slander another without proper examination, but maybe in this circumstance they were truthful.

The other circumstance with another doctor was not as bad as that one, but I would have to say when he found out I returned to the Catholic Church (after going to his church for a while- he was trying to help me with my affliction by guiding me to some spiritual help) he was visibly not happy- understandable coming from his beliefs, but it did kind of kill the relationship and I did not want to deal with the uncomfortableness.

So, that is where all this concern is coming from- because it has happened twice now that my faith has caused problems- and I did not even seek these problems or make them come into existence. It would be reassuring if I could ask future doctors where they stand, but I realize this is way too personal, but I don’t feel very good about knowing these problems can arise. I’d feel better having a Catholic doctor who agrees with the Church. It makes me very apprehensive about seeking a new one. I suppose this is just one more thing to pray for guidance in, eh?

 

[AnneElizabeth]

Your doctor’s personal religious views are none of your business. What you have every right to know is if your doctor is willing to practice medicine without violating yours.
…

Thank you. This helps and it is what I needed to know.

 

[maryjk]

That’s really great that you have a Catholic doctors. How did you find them?

I know you didn’t ask this question of me, but most of my doctors are also Catholic.

I found my GYN through the One More Soul web site. She is Catholic and prayed with me before my latest surgery. It was wonderful.

I found my general doctor through his wife, while at church. I wasn’t feeling well. And had to sit down. She offered to have her husband look at me. I ended up going to Urgent Care, because I thought it was rude to bother him on a Sunday. But I started see him not long after that.

My dentist has an ad on the back of the bulletin.

My ophthalmologist just happened to be Catholic.

My orthopedic doctor is married to someone I taught with, at church.

The only doctor I use that isn’t Catholic, or at least I don’t know if he is Catholic, is my rheumatologist. But he hasn’t said anything that would cause me concern.

If you really want Catholic doctors, ask around the parish.

 

[EasterJoy]

I know you didn’t ask this question of me, but most of my doctors are also Catholic.

I found my GYN through the One More Soul web site. She is Catholic and prayed with me before my latest surgery. It was wonderful.

I found my general doctor through his wife, while at church. I wasn’t feeling well. And had to sit down. She offered to have her husband look at me. I ended up going to Urgent Care, because I thought it was rude to bother him on a Sunday. But I started see him not long after that.

My dentist has an ad on the back of the bulletin.

My ophthalmologist just happened to be Catholic.

My orthopedic doctor is married to someone I taught with, at church.

The only doctor I use that isn’t Catholic, or at least I don’t know if he is Catholic, is my rheumatologist. But he hasn’t said anything that would cause me concern.

If you really want Catholic doctors, ask around the parish.

This is excellent advice. I would add one caveat, however. Considering the number of Catholics who do not feel it obligatory to follow Church teachings, it is not safe to automatically assume that a Catholic physician will automatically restrict himself or herself to practicing within Catholic bioethical boundaries.

 

[AnneElizabeth]

I know you didn’t ask this question of me, but most of my doctors are also Catholic.

I found my GYN through the One More Soul web site. She is Catholic and prayed with me before my latest surgery. It was wonderful.

I found my general doctor through his wife, while at church. I wasn’t feeling well. And had to sit down. She offered to have her husband look at me. I ended up going to Urgent Care, because I thought it was rude to bother him on a Sunday. But I started see him not long after that.

My dentist has an ad on the back of the bulletin.

My ophthalmologist just happened to be Catholic.

My orthopedic doctor is married to someone I taught with, at church.

The only doctor I use that isn’t Catholic, or at least I don’t know if he is Catholic, is my rheumatologist. But he hasn’t said anything that would cause me concern.

If you really want Catholic doctors, ask around the parish.

Thank you, that is really helpful information.

 

[AnneElizabeth]

This is excellent advice. I would add one caveat, however. Considering the number of Catholics who do not feel it obligatory to follow Church teachings, it is not safe to automatically assume that a Catholic physician will automatically restrict himself or herself to practicing within Catholic bioethical boundaries.

Very true… for some odd reason, I think I still would feel comfortable with someone like this- just so they understand where I’m coming from I guess. Probably not the right way of looking at it though.