Trusting Healthcare: Navigating Misinformation with Reason
Healthcare providers see patients in their most vulnerable state. What happens when this relationship is distorted?
By Nedilynn Bowser
Healthcare providers see patients in their most vulnerable state. They are trusted and valued members of society that seek to heal. Patients trust and heed the words of their provider, confident they have their best interest at heart. What happens when this relationship is distorted?
The Healers of Old
Historically, healers were seen as highly respected members of society. They were revered for their knowledge of anatomy and their prescription of natural remedies to cease pathologies. Now, they are most known for their strange practices, such as prescription cigarettes for asthma or cocaine as treatment for hay fever.
In the late 1800s, the poet Robert Louis Stevenson wrote the following: “There are men and classes of men that stand above the common herd: the solider, the sailor, and the shepherd not infrequently; the artist rarely, rarelier still, the clergymen; the physician almost as a rule. He is the flower of our civilization.”
This quote underscores the love and adoration the public had for their healthcare providers. Notice the language Stevenson uses in the last line. He called doctors the flower of civilization, revealing wholehearted appreciation and gratitude for the one who saved his own life. More importantly, this quote points back to a time when doctors were truly esteemed members of society.
Public opinion of health professionals has certainly shifted in recent years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a unique shift occurred in public perception of the healthcare sphere. From real concerns to outright conspiracy theories, the American public wanted answers, but did not trust the answers provided.
What now?
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers are in a bit of a bind. With distrust tainting this once valued confidential relationship, doctors, physician assistants, nurses, and many others are left at the mercy of a harmful precedent: healthcare workers are not truthful.
While such a statement could certainly be true for certain individuals or corporations, it is a dangerous blanket statement to make. Statements like these cause people to avoid scheduling check-ups, deliberately disregard the advice of physicians, and the spread of misinformation. This could potentially lead to greater incidence of undiagnosed illness or mismanagement of current medication.
The Christian’s Response
It would be foolish to turn a blind eye to some of the atrocities happening in healthcare today. Many are familiar with the following “hot topics” in healthcare: vaccine mandates, women’s reproductive rights, puberty blockers, gender-affirming surgery, and even physician-assisted suicide. Despite these issues in the healthcare system, it is imperative to recognize the immense blessing modern medicine is. (READ MORE: Politics and Personhood: The IVF Challenge)
Christians must use reason. It is wise to be skeptical about the healthcare system, but caution must also be exercised as to not demonize the entire machine. If advice given by a doctor seems off, Christians can pray without ceasing. Healthcare professionals have undergone innumerable hours of training to earn their qualifications are under oath to help their patients.
It is equally important to remember healthcare providers are human, no different than the rest of humanity. While degrees, training, and licenses qualify an individual to perform a job, this does not negate human error or fallen nature. Providers can make a mistakes, and here is where reason should intervene.
Distinguishing between a healthcare provider who intentionally or unintentionally harmed a patient, however is extremely important. The heart of this entire issue stems from the dangerous assumption that everyone in healthcare is intentionally plotting to harm their patients. It is simply unreasonable to believe that swaths of people would dedicate years of their lives and thousands of dollars to intentionally harm those they have sworn to heal.
Conclusion
Can Christians trust doctors and others in healthcare? Yes.
It is unreasonable to maintain a position of thinking that healthcare professionals, who have taken an oath to care for their patients, are “out to get you.” Though healthcare professionals are prone to error as all humans are, do not be fooled by misinformation and conspiracy theories. Use reason and follow your conscience while navigating this modern world. Through this, the blessing of medicine can be recognized and harm guarded against.
About the Author:
Nedilynn Bowser is a junior at Grove City College, majoring in biology/health. She resides roughly an hour northeast of Pittsburgh, PA. On campus she is involved in Pre-Health Society, Christian Medical and Dental Association, Pan Asian Association, Bread and Bounty Club, and Orientation Board. She also writes for the Grove City College Eta Zeta Biology Journal and The Collegian. For the past three summers, Nedilynn has worked at Concordia Lutheran Health as a nursing assistant in the personal care/dementia unit. Upon graduation she hopes to enter the medical field, focusing primarily on pediatrics.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed are those of the writer alone and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grove City College, the Institute for Faith and Freedom, or their affiliates.
Cover Image: Photo by Piron Guillaume on Unsplash (Cropped).