Theism in the healthcare field
Offline There have been two topics posted recently related to theism in the healthcare field, and finding secular sources for halthcare. I am starting a new topic so as to not hijack the other topics.
According to a study references in this article: http://www.physorg.com/news108005993.html, in a survey of health care practitioners (physicians and psychiatrists, specifically), 10% of physician's listed their religion as "none", while 17% of psychiatrists listed their religion as "none".
I'd like to find more studies and statistics on atheism in the medical field, but even with access to medical journals, I'm not finding a lot of articles directly pertaining to atheism.
I expected there to be more atheists in the medical field than there appears to be.
Your resident OTD/S, Christina
A good scientist will always change her mind if new evidence is presented which gives her sufficient reason to change it.
www.ziztur.com
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I'm right there with you. I've scoured the journals, and I can't find more than a few unsubstantiated estimates scattered here and there.
Maybe someone knows some faculty at a university? Better yet, maybe someone knows a potential PhD candidate who doesn't have a thesis yet.
This is a wide open area for research, and it's definitely worth looking into.
Atheism isn't a lot like religion at all. Unless by "religion" you mean "not religion". --Ciarin
http://hambydammit.wordpress.com/
Books about atheism
Well, I am currently attending a university. I'm working on my doctorate in OT. I would love to do a thesis on atheism in the healthcare field, but it is only loosly related.
Another student is researching the accessibility of religious institutions in St. Louis. This is related because one of the things that OT's do is help alter the environment for accessibility. We're often called in to help design or remodel buildings.
I am also really interested to see the percentage of people with chronic phsycial disabilities (such as spinal cord injury) who are theist/atheist. A lot of people with permanent disabilities use faith to give them a reason as to why they have disability X, "God gave me this disability for a purpose" type thing.
This semester I am going to keep track of how many professor-created case studies involve the "client" having some kind of religion that is specifically mentioned, how many don't mention religion, and how many mention atheism. Just for fun really. So far the score is:
2 presented and...
2 have strong theism involved.
My current project has absolutely nothing to do with theism, and I am too far in to change. I am researching the most apropriate propulsion patterns for people who use manual wheelchairs but have upper extremity limitations.
A study of atheists in the healthcare field would be right up the alleyway of an anthrapologist!
Your resident OTD/S, Christina
A good scientist will always change her mind if new evidence is presented which gives her sufficient reason to change it.
www.ziztur.com
A sociologist would also be very good for front end studies. Although it's not really hard science in some senses, it's very good for getting a realistic idea of what forces are shaping particular segments of society. It's actually pretty difficult to design studies that will accurately reflect the opinions of those being studied.
Atheism isn't a lot like religion at all. Unless by "religion" you mean "not religion". --Ciarin
http://hambydammit.wordpress.com/
Books about atheism
I'm of the opinion that most people are atheist. I think the majority of folks respond "yes I believe in God" just because it is politically incorrect to say otherwise. They play the "what if God exists" safety card ... which IMO makes them atheist. I suspect the population who actually believe there is a guy up in the clouds staring at them is pretty small. Everyone else just follows along because that's what we've always done.
I'm afraid you'd be very surprised. I've been to five different doctors in the last 5 years, and four of them were openly Christian, with pamphlets, fish emblems on their walls, and bibles in the waiting rooms.
One of these doctors actually told me during one visit (with no prompting by me!) that the platypus is a nightmare for "darwinists."
This is a guy who's studied anatomy and biology, and ought to know better.
Atheism isn't a lot like religion at all. Unless by "religion" you mean "not religion". --Ciarin
http://hambydammit.wordpress.com/
Books about atheism
Unfortunately, in university classrooms, there is pressure from professors to not "offend" his or her pupils.
One of my professors (who I highly respect otherwise) gave a lecture last semester on pain. As a "tool" for helping people deal with their pain, and the "why me" of disability, she taught the class to tell the client that the pain, disability and suffering is happening for a reason, and that there is a purpose to pain and disability as there is a purpose and plan to everything.
I had to speak up. I said that I also felt it was important to accept that things can happen for no purpose at all.
Your resident OTD/S, Christina
A good scientist will always change her mind if new evidence is presented which gives her sufficient reason to change it.
www.ziztur.com
If I were a believer and a respected doctor said that to me, I think I'd go into a deep depression wondering what I had done to deserve the disability.
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I am going to try very hard to avoid going off on a rant here, but I have seen this first hand. I suspect the person in question is the type that enjoys placing the blame for things anywhere besides himself, but the fact that he has mentioned spirituality, purpose, etc. only feeds his inclination to do this. Not only is it annoying, but I believe it prevents him from getting better.
If these people were told that their pain was something separate from who they are and that they are in contol of their own lives, it might lead to less depression and more healing. I am not a doctor (duh) nor am I a pain specialist, but I just do not see how this is helpful to the patient at all.
I've never seen a Christian doctor. I think it's because I've always (read: ALWAYS) been to doctors on base. I had no idea stuff like this was an issue untill... today.
I think the idea is supposed to be that god gave you a disability so you can change the world or be a better person. You know, turn lemons into lemonade. The disability is "proof" that god has a special plan for you. So the disability is some kind of screwed up gift from god.
Gag me
Your resident OTD/S, Christina
A good scientist will always change her mind if new evidence is presented which gives her sufficient reason to change it.
www.ziztur.com
I dig, and it's probably just wishful thinking on my part, but I am skeptical that people actually believe it. Yunno?
I understand that people can be fanatical about all sorts of things but to believe that there really is a Santa Claus and he watches you while you masturbate is too far fetched for me to comprehend. Going through the motions and even being vocal about said motions is one thing, but really looking into the sky and knowing there is an intelligent force staring at you? That's a whole different level of bonko.
Even the theists that come on these boards to try and convert people, I just don't see it. To truly believe it falls into the realm of schizophrenia (IMO).
Sorry for the hijack