What is my moral obligation to a doctor?

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matilda116

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When are we morally obligated to teach the truth?
Background: I teach and practice NFP. As a teacher we ask our students to quit using any and all forms of contraception. We ask the to abstain and grow in the virtue of chastity while they prepare for marriage. We also teach what the church teaches about a scramental marriage. Many young women we teach have been put on the ‘pill’ for acne and fear getting off b/c of a sever outbreak on their wedding day. We urge these gals to talk to the doctors about other opptions for treatment outside of the use of birth control pills. Most women have choosen to get off the pill, chart and seek other means of treating their acne.
In an effort to better dirrect these woman in helping them understand that there are other opptions out there for acne help I call the dermatoligest on the back of our church bulitine for help. I asked if there were other successfull opption for women and she basicaly said that BCPs was the best of the best for such situation. I respect her medical help. I have a problem that a catholic doctor is dispensing contraception with out the full understanding of it in regaurds to her faith.
On the up side the call was plesent and hard to stomach we tired not to offend the other even though we both knew we each had a ground to stand with our different positions. I mentioned to her Pope Paul VI Humani Vitie and reccomened that she read it. I know she has a busy life with work and a family, and most likely wont read it. I want to send her a thank you note for calling me and talking to me and for the bit of help she gave me. I would also like to send her a copy of Humani Vitie. But I don’t want to over step my grounds, and inadvertantly cause her to leave the church along with her family in tow. But we are called to evagelize and correct others when there is grave error this to me seems to be grave error on her part and she is hurting the church as a whole by dispencing contraception to married women for acne problems, she is aiding in the separation of unity and procreation in a married couple. I did invite her to our class but I don’t think she will ever come. So my big question is… When are we morally obligated to teach the truth? Should I send her the note and Pope Paul VI writings?:confused:

Thanks for any (name removed by moderator)ut

Peace in Christ,
Matilda116
 
I had a hormonal inbalance that could have been cleared right up with the Pill. Many a doctor I saw tried to flick me the pill, even some Christian doctors.

But I finally found a doctor who put me on something that sorted everything out, and it was the same price as the Pill.

THe pill is often doled out because its easier for the doctor to just flick a woman on it, and it also covers her in the event she wants to tramp about town. There are alternatives, and most of them are safer then the posion they call the pill.

Its just laziness on the part of the doctor.

Dangerous morality on the part of the Catholic doctor.

Tell them to go do their research, they owe it to their patients.
 
I don’t know if you know the answer to this question, but are most of these women taking just the Pill to treat acne? Or are they taking Accutane and the Pill? I ask because usually those who take Accutane are usually put on the Pill because Accutane causes absolutely horrific birth defects. I would be very careful in telling them to stop using just the Pill–make sure they stop taking both! 😦

As far as interacting with the doctor . . . I think you could send her a copy of the encyclical, along with a note that thanks her, but don’t be too surprised if she doesn’t have time to read it or respond. Just say “this is the document I was referring to, if you’re interested”, or something like that.
 
Look, no one here will admit that contraceptives are dangerous for a woman to take faster that I will. But humanae vitae allows contraception for medical purposes, as it clearly states. Severe acne is a true medical purpose. It does a lot to the health of mind to have to present one’s face to the public when it looks like a supreme and loaded pizza. You can show this doctor the encyclical, but the part about it being acceptable for medical reasons is not going to escape her. And you would be dishonest if you didn’t include it in your ‘teaching’. The thing is, the doctor reserves the right to treat patients as he or she sees appropriate. It is really inappropriate for a non-medical person to ‘tell a doctor’ what to do or ‘educate’ the doctor about the moral reasons for choosing or not choosing a medical intervention when it’s the doctor’s responsibility to treat the whole patient and is accoutable for that intervention.
 
There are men with bad acne problems too. Are they prescribed the Pill? If not, what do they get? Wouldn’t that work for women as well?
 
I have NEVER had a doctor prescribe the “pill” to me for acne :confused:
I receive MUPIROCIN 2% OINTMENT which I am told is the gold standard for acne and ingrown hairs and use an antibact face wash. I did not ask my doctors religous beliefs.
 
Send her a copy of “Contraception: Why Not?”, and speak to your priest. He needs to be aware that a Catholic physician is suggesting the pill for cosmetic/vanity reasons.
 
Yes! Tell your priest, it always works well for me when I consult my priest about questions I have. Let us know what he says about a doctor prescribing contraceptives to control bad acne 🙂
 
You guys are so great with your resplies!!!

I did speak with the doctor about the alternitives to use of the pill for acne. She told me there are only 3 ways to treat it, Acutane, birth control, and antibiotics. If the church does not allow the use of contraception with in marriage then 2 of the 3 treatments are out of the question and the paticent has to use the antibiotic till they choose to live with the acne. She seemed set on treating acne with those 3 sollutions, no alternatives. :bluelite:FYI b/c Acutane cause serious birth defects the law requires those that are on it to use 2 other forms of birth control… the pill and condoms or other barrer methods. Upon calling the National Catholic Bio Ethics Center and asking what a married couple can do if one of the spouces is placed on Acutane and the pill and the answer was they must grow in chastity and abstain for the greater good of their unborn (uncreated) children.

I would also agree witht he comment on lazy doctors. I know fully of the hard work, stress, lack of sleep and tears that comes with studying to become a doctor. I have girlfriends that are doctors and I was there with one of them before she entered med school I was studying with her in college and I quized her all the time on the chemistry, biology, med school exams and her MCAT. I respect the hard work of these men and women. Since I have been around doctors who are pro NFP and teach and support NFP they agree that while you are practicing medicine it is easy to rely more on the pharmasulitical companies then on doing the research and understanding the science.
Funny thing is every time I brought up a medical adversity caused by the pill the doctor shurged it off as a once in a million chance. Funny thing is I was refering not only to the research of Dr. Odeblad but the information that comes with the pill. hahahaha I chose not to tell her that I didn’t want to show her up while she was going on about how I wasn’t a doctor.
I think I will re-listen to ‘Contraception Why Not’ by Janet Smith (found @ omsoul.com) and pray about weather or not to send it to the Dr. I also have a Humani Vitei CD I could pass to her and a thank you note. Kill 'em with kindness.

As far as talking to my priest I am not so sure…his family lives a bit north of where we are and his family is not shy in supporting Obama and during the elections neither was he. My parish is financially blessed and the doctor haveing MUCH deeper pockets then we do I feel will swade him more then social justice or pro life issues. Also our ministry runs under his radar. We are blessed to have an office staff that believes in the teachings of NFP so our classes are highly recommended for marriage prep, but if someone complains to the parish priest we run the risk of loosing that requirement statuse from the marriage prep program.

If you were the doctor how would you feel if a less educated person was trying ‘show you the way’?

I guess I am still a bit bothered because she played the ‘I’m a doctor and smarter then you’ card.😊
 
Prayers that your priest is converted, that the culture of death will no longer grip this doctor and others in your parish!
 
matilda116 said:
You guys are so great with your resplies!!!

I did speak with the doctor about the alternitives to use of the pill for acne. She told me there are only 3 ways to treat it, Acutane, birth control, and antibiotics. If the church does not allow the use of contraception with in marriage then 2 of the 3 treatments are out of the question and the paticent has to use the antibiotic till they choose to live with the acne. She seemed set on treating acne with those 3 sollutions, no alternatives.
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Well the thing is, if the acne is caused by hormonal imbalances, she’s correct in saying that contraceptives is the correct choice. It depends on WHAT is causing it. Some people only need a round or two of antibiotics. But if it’s persistent and unsightly, yes, either live with it, take antibiotics for as long as you are able to tolerate it, or use the contraceptives.

Contraceptives DO work, and when nothing else does. Considering that the doctor knows her/his patients, he/she would be the best person to prescribe treatment.
 
St_Francis said:
There are men with bad acne problems too. Are they prescribed the Pill? If not, what do they get? Wouldn’t that work for women as well?
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Men and postmenopausal women have no trouble taking Accutane alone. From what I understand, it can clear acne from any cause. It basically stops the facial skin from secreting any oil. My fiance took it in high school, with no ill effects. Thankfully his acne calmed down when he entered his 20’s, and he has no scarring. My roommate, who dealt with this kind of acne for years, was not so lucky. She takes Accutane and BCP’s, on a prescription from her father, who is a devout Catholic physician. She is not considering marriage anytime soon.

We should remember that we’re talking about severe nodular acne, which is disfiguring. A physician should not be prescribing serious meds for mild or moderate acne.
 
Accutane has some very serious potential side effects and it might be desirable to treat the acne with another method. I know that the pill isn’t exactly with out its risks but it is possible that it is the best treatment. Considering that Humanae Vitae permits the use of contraceptives for therapeutic reasons I don’t think that you have any moral obligation towards the doctor.
 
Morally and professionally the doctor has a responsibility to practice good medicine. Since prescription of the COCP is permissible for medical conditions, there is no problem. End of story.
 
Doc Keele
I respect birth control being used as a means to treat acne and using it while you are on accutane, the doctor knows best. What the challenge becomes is when Catholics are using these medication while they are married. Every union of the husband and wife MUST be unitive and procreative. If a couple is consciencely contracepting even if the medicine is for her acne then there is a problem b/c if she is fertile and can concive she is not able to give her self totally to her husband b/c she is restricting her reproductive organs from him. Marriage must resemble Gods marrital bond to His bride the Church. both give themselves to each other. It really is a beautiful thing.
 
Every union of the husband and wife MUST be unitive and procreative.
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That statement is not true without heavy qualification. A woman who has had a hysterectomy can still have “union” with her husband (is there some problem with saying “sexual intercourse” rather than these euphemisms?).
 
matilda116 said:
Doc Keele
I respect birth control being used as a means to treat acne and using it while you are on accutane, the doctor knows best.
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Taking the birth control while on Accutane is not permitted because it relies on the contraceptive effect of the pill to treat the condition. The only option for a couple where the woman takes Accutane is complete abstinence while on the medication. Taking the pill to treat the actual medical condition, where the contraceptive effect is just an unintended side effect is allowed because of the principle of double effect.
matilda116 said:
What the challenge becomes is when Catholics are using these medication while they are married. Every union of the husband and wife MUST be unitive and procreative. If a couple is consciencely contracepting even if the medicine is for her acne then there is a problem b/c if she is fertile and can concive she is not able to give her self totally to her husband b/c she is restricting her reproductive organs from him. Marriage must resemble Gods marrital bond to His bride the Church. both give themselves to each other. It really is a beautiful thing.
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Not exactly true.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=4618
 
Taking the birth control while on Accutane is not permitted because it relies on the contraceptive effect of the pill to treat the condition. The only option for a couple where the woman takes Accutane is complete abstinence while on the medication.
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Which means that Accutane is not permissible, since it will not be prescribed without the woman committing to contraception. The contraceptive effect isn’t “treating the condition” BTW.
 
Doc_Keele said:
Which means that Accutane is not permissible, since it will not be prescribed without the woman committing to contraception. The contraceptive effect isn’t “treating the condition” BTW.
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I wasn’t aware that it was a requirement to take the pill with Accutane. I know of at least one woman who took Accutane but signed a waiver stating that she wasn’t’ having sex. Taking the pill while on Accutane doesn’t treat anything it just prevents a pregnancy that would result in horrible birth defects. You are relying on the contraceptive effect of the pill to accomplish that so it isn’t allowed. You can accomplish the same thing with abstinence so the pill is really unnecessary anyway.
 
One minute you’re saying the contraceptive effect is treating the condition, the next you’re not. Yes, I’m well aware the reason for contraception thanks:rolleyes:
If someone was married I’m not sure that the waiver would be enough. Some people seem to underestimate the difficulties of abstinence within marriage - usually unmarried people:cool:
 
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