medicine and the bible

[anewbeginning]

have you observed any instances where the bible has effected the practice of medicine ?

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[JackShephard MD]

have you observed any instances where the bible has effected the practice of medicine ?

Harrison's or the Bible?

Anyway, sure people do medical things because of religious beliefs but the Bible isn't and never was meant to be a medical textbook.

 

[armybound]

like Jehovas Witnesses?

 

[username456789]

have you observed any instances where the bible has effected the practice of medicine ?

In the ED at my hospital, it is standard that as part of the SAFE exam (for women who have been raped), we ensure that the rapist pays 50 shekels of silver to her father. We then have a chaplain on hand who is ordained to perform the subsequent marriage between the woman and her rapist, as required by the bible.

 

[anewbeginning]

yeah, the bible and religion are very important to many people in america.

 

[Kaputt]

In the ED at my hospital, it is standard that as part of the SAFE exam (for women who have been raped), we ensure that the rapist pays 50 shekels of silver to her father. We then have a chaplain on hand who is ordained to perform the subsequent marriage between the woman and her rapist, as required by the bible.

but yes it's really in there, folks

 

[Brachyury]

yeah, the bible and religion are very important to many people in america.

Why would the Bible be important in clinical medicine?

 

[mimelim]

I've never seen where the Bible itself was an issue. Religion, probably on a weekly basis.

The most memorable patient was a woman with pica who was in was on our surgical service for observation after she swallowed several coins. While in the hospital a nurse left two 22 gauge needles on the patient's table. Needless to say we took her back to the OR that night. I was getting her blood and procedure consents, which is when I found out that she was a Jehovah's Witness. I read the blood consent form to her (including the part about refusing blood) and she took the form from me and wrote in big letters, "IF I NEED BLOOD LET ME DIE". Then she signed it and returned it to me.

 

[akwho]

In the ED at my hospital, it is standard that as part of the SAFE exam (for women who have been raped), we ensure that the rapist pays 50 shekels of silver to her father. We then have a chaplain on hand who is ordained to perform the subsequent marriage between the woman and her rapist, as required by the bible.

Funny

At the time the bible was written this was probably considered an enlightened attitude towards women.

 

[link2swim06]

have you observed any instances where the bible has effected the practice of medicine ?

Ya alot of people opt for hospice in belief of an afterlife or what such.

So in short, yes a big influence on patient discussion in certain circumstances. No effect on what physicians offer to their patients.

 

[DrSnips]

have you observed any instances where the bible has effected the practice of medicine ?

Most of these are examples of the bible Affecting the practice of medicine. An example of the bible Effecting the practice of medicine is if a bible hits someone in the head and then they need stitches.

Semantics nazi FTW.

 

[heroes31]

How about circumcision?

 

[link2swim06]

How about circumcision?

There is a long list of health reason circumcision is offered...

 

[JackShephard MD]

There is a long list of health reason circumcision is offered...

Also Jewish tradition.

 

[High Roller]

There is a long list of health reason circumcision is offered...

Pardon the pun, but it ain't that long...

 

[Shnurek]

There is a long list of health reason circumcision is offered...

Most of Europe is not circumcised. They seem to be doing fine.

 

[heroes31]

I wasn't arguing for or against it. Was just pointing out the bible may be credited with why circumcision is a practice carried out today. No need for all the atheists to get defensive. Was just trying to propose an answer to the op's question. Not sure what exactly is the point of the op's question but whatever.

 

[Kaputt]

I wasn't arguing for or against it. Was just pointing out the bible may be credited with why circumcision is a practice carried out today. No need for all the atheists to get defensive.

It would take religion for us to chop off bits of our pleasure zones.

Any health benefit from circumcision can also be accomplished by uncircumsized men who are hygienic.

 

[dr zaius]

It would take religion for us to chop off bits of our pleasure zones.

Any health benefit from circumcision can also be accomplished by uncircumsized men who are hygienic.

Hygiene doesn't fix ugly in this case.

 

[Freakfarm0]

Pretty soon it might be a big issue with insurance (which will affect medicine).

 

[link2swim06]

Pardon the pun, but it ain't that long...

Maybe not long, but very medical important. Millions of cases of HIV have been prevented by setting up circumcision clinics across Africa.

While it may not have prevented millions of cases in the US, we are still talking about a 1/8 (i think) chance of getting many STDs.

 

[KinasePro]

Any health benefit from circumcision can also be accomplished by uncircumsized men who are hygienic.

except for paraphimosis prevention... when your dong becomes gangrenous after a foley is placed incorrectly, you'll wake up wishing you were circumcised.

 

[Kaputt]

except for paraphimosis prevention... when your dong becomes gangrenous after a foley is placed incorrectly, you'll wake up wishing you were circumcised.

Is that really a good reason for widespread circumcision, though?

 

[KinasePro]

Is that really a good reason for widespread circumcision, though?

You're right, it's probably not a good enough reason. But urologists at my institution see a few cases of paraphimosis each month, and it's treated emergently with circumcision. So thats just an example patients who arguably would've been better off getting snipped as infants. Throw in the decreased risk of SCC, easier hygiene, and decreased tendency to transmit HPV/HIV, and you have a bland, but reasonable, argument favoring circumcision. But I don't feel strongly either way, just feeling contrarian today I guess 😎.

 

[Amba]

How about circumcision?

Just for clarity (for those who might not know), circumcision isn't a relevant issue for modern day Christians. Circumcision is a sign of the old Abrahamic covenant which is void since Christ came and established the new covenant. Circumcision is relevant for modern day Jews.

Edit: didn't realize I was in the allo forum. Please don't hate on the pre-med.

 

[Kaputt]

You're right, it's probably not a good enough reason. But urologists at my institution see a few cases of paraphimosis each month, and it's treated emergently with circumcision. So thats just an example patients who arguably would've been better off getting snipped as infants. Throw in the decreased risk of SCC, easier hygiene, and decreased tendency to transmit HPV/HIV, and you have a bland, but reasonable, argument favoring circumcision. But I don't feel strongly either way, just feeling contrarian today I guess 😎.

Me too (I'm circumsized, lol). I just wonder if sex would be better if I still had my foreskin. On those days when I think it might, I curse my parents.

 

[Kaputt]

Just for clarity (for those who might not know), circumcision isn't a relevant issue for modern day Christians. Circumcision is a sign of the old Abrahamic covenant which is void since Christ came and established the new covenant. Circumcision is relevant for modern day Jews.

Edit: didn't realize I was in the allo forum. Please don't hate on the pre-med.

This new covenant theology always reeked of "throw out the stuff we don't feel like doing anymore" to me.

 

[Brachyury]

This new covenant theology always reeked of "throw out the stuff we don't feel like doing anymore" to me.

This X 1,000,000

 

[Amba]

This new covenant theology always reeked of "throw out the stuff we don't feel like doing anymore" to me.

Interesting viewpoint. I guess I can understand where that comes from. Personally I view it as liberating, but that's just me.

 

[username456789]

Interesting viewpoint. I guess I can understand where that comes from. Personally I view it as liberating, but that's just me.

Completely undermines the point of the religion in the first place, but yeah also liberating . . .

Huh?

 

[Amba]

Completely undermines the point of the religion in the first place, but yeah also liberating . . .

Huh?

Well, that makes sense when you view Christianity as something other than a "religion" (typical Christian cliche).

 

[Abider]

Still one has to wonder. If God thought foreskins were horrible, why did he make them and then decree we have a specific person to wack at our peepees...with knives.

If say...your uncle fester came up with that one, and said it was inspired by god, we'd throw him in a lake. Just sayin. Abiding the medical science seems the saner thing. Which honestly I have no idea on. Mine was given to me hacked off before I knew wtf was going on. Hadn't thought about it too much since.

 

[JackShephard MD]

I have a lot of respect for all of the people in our profession, you need to be a hard worker and intelligent to do well. That's why I hope we can all be respectful of each others beliefs. These threads don't have to divert into insulting each other or attacking people's beliefs. It's alright if we disagree without having any vitriol.

 

[Smurfette]

You're right, it's probably not a good enough reason. But urologists at my institution see a few cases of paraphimosis each month, and it's treated emergently with circumcision. So thats just an example patients who arguably would've been better off getting snipped as infants. Throw in the decreased risk of SCC, easier hygiene, and decreased tendency to transmit HPV/HIV, and you have a bland, but reasonable, argument favoring circumcision. But I don't feel strongly either way, just feeling contrarian today I guess 😎.

From foley placement?!!?
😱 😱

If this is true, it seems as though some education about the correct way to place a foley is WAY overdue in your institution. That is far, far too many people.

 

[anewbeginning]

isn't it interesting how often religious topics are debated - america is the most religious country among western and industrialized nations.

btw, isn't circumcision a form of genital mutilation ?? ouch !!

 

[KinasePro]

From foley placement?!!?
😱 😱

No, not from foley placement alone and especially not from our institution alone, but we're in a major city. That number includes anyone who can't (for whatever reason) unfold the foreskin themselves, the foley is just a classic example. It happens to patients in crappy nursing homes, the handicapped (mentally or otherwise), people with altered mental status, children, etc...

 

[Dave89]

The most glaring and broad example of the bible effecting (and affecting, I suppose) medical practice may be indicated by this partial, quite clipped list of hospitals in St. Louis:

Barnes-Jewish Hospital
Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital
SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital
Christian Hospital (St. Louis)
Deaconess Incarnate Word Health System
Saint Alexius Hospital
Saint John's Mercy Health Care
Saint John's Mercy Medical Center
Saint Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood
St. Anthony's Medical Center
etc...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hospitals_in_St._Louis

It's like this in many, many cities.

 

[FSUseminoleEM1]

I have a lot of respect for all of the people in our profession, you need to be a hard worker and intelligent to do well. That's why I hope we can all be respectful of each others beliefs. These threads don't have to divert into insulting each other or attacking people's beliefs. It's alright if we disagree without having any vitriol.

I (we) can whole-heartedly respect religious individuals, assuming they're good human beings. We aren't required to respect the absurd claims of their religions, though. This is especially true when religion tries to creep into the sciences.

 

[Depakote]

The most glaring and broad example of the bible effecting (and affecting, I suppose) medical practice may be indicated by this partial, quite clipped list of hospitals in St. Louis:

Barnes-Jewish Hospital
Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital
SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital
Christian Hospital (St. Louis)
Deaconess Incarnate Word Health System
Saint Alexius Hospital
Saint John's Mercy Health Care
Saint John's Mercy Medical Center
Saint Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood
St. Anthony's Medical Center
etc...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hospitals_in_St._Louis

It's like this in many, many cities.

So if a hospital is named after a Saint or references a religion in the name, that implicitly impacts the medical practice at that institution?

 

[Dave89]

So if a hospital is named after a Saint or references a religion in the name, that implicitly impacts the medical practice at that institution?

To effect is to bring about. Many hospitals were founded by philanthropists of faith, or established by religious orders. I guess the bible may indirectly affect medical care by having provided so many medical centers, but it certainly has effected medical practice.

 

[BushDoc20]

i try to separate my own beliefs and work....i believe there is a time and place for religion....i tend to talk to Jahovers witness' about auto transfusions during surgery and provided they are conscious in the Resus Room, i explain the it is not anyone else blood but their own and most agree to it.

 

[Go Ducks]

Some hospitals won't preform abortions or give out birth control because of the bible. That's about the biggest way that it directly impacts medical treatments (other than people refusing care).

I would argue that circumcision has become a cultural practice more than a religious practice. Most people do it for tradition's sake and to identify their child as part of a larger group, not because they think God really cares what a person's penis looks like. Some people do it for medical reasons too.

 

[anewbeginning]

thanx for all the answers everyone.