To me, this just sounds like a dangerous road to discrimination, and is very short-sided on only viewing "health" in the traditional medical model of focusing only on the observable behaviors of physical health. Is this to say that health care providers should practice all dimensions of health and wellness to their fullest potential, those including mental, social, environmental, spiritual, emotional and physical wellness? Why are we holding this occupation to such high, God-like standards, and not all professions? It is ironic that we hold them to higher-than-human standards, then when (some) doctors act in this higher-than-thee manner, we become defensive and angry patients and consumers of medicine.
I hope that everyone whom considers themselves a "health and wellness expert" does not fall into a trap of becoming the health police, as this is such a turn-off for people who are actively trying to better themselves (doctors or not). "Health" should be welcoming, mindful and positive; not judgmental, critical or shameful. Especially those health experts who consider themselves "holistic" practitioners...there are many more aspects of wellness to consider!
No wonder individuals who choose to smoke are so angry at non-smokers for isolating, judging and criticizing! This is no way to help people choose to become smoke-free, whatever their chosen profession.
To me, there is much, much more than just practicing physical health. There are six dimensions of health and wellness: physical, emotional, spiritual, environmental, social and mental. If my health care provider, or anyone for that matter, practices 5 of the 6 dimensions of wellness in the most optimal manner, but is lacking in one area, I do not think this is cause for alarm or to put-down an entire, high-stress occupation! With that said, yes, it does bother me to see nurses, doctors and other health care providers smoking...I honestly can't say that I would stick with a doctor if they smelled like smoke in the exam room.
Do you expect your counselor, psychologist or mental-health provider to be at a 100% optimum level also? What if they smoke? What if they do not exercise? What if they are sad? What if they did not eat their veggies last night or get 8 hours of sleep? If you don't expect perfection, then what is OK? How can you tell if someone is always/sometimes/never practicing what they preach in all these areas? And, if they are not, this is OK to discriminate and judge them?
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To me, this just sounds like a dangerous road to discrimination, and is very short-sided on only viewing "health" in the traditional medical model of focusing only on the observable behaviors of physical health. Is this to say that health care providers should practice all dimensions of health and wellness to their fullest potential, those including mental, social, environmental, spiritual, emotional and physical wellness? Why are we holding this occupation to such high, God-like standards, and not all professions? It is ironic that we hold them to higher-than-human standards, then when (some) doctors act in this higher-than-thee manner, we become defensive and angry patients and consumers of medicine.
I hope that everyone whom considers themselves a "health and wellness expert" does not fall into a trap of becoming the health police, as this is such a turn-off for people who are actively trying to better themselves (doctors or not). "Health" should be welcoming, mindful and positive; not judgmental, critical or shameful. Especially those health experts who consider themselves "holistic" practitioners...there are many more aspects of wellness to consider!
No wonder individuals who choose to smoke are so angry at non-smokers for isolating, judging and criticizing! This is no way to help people choose to become smoke-free, whatever their chosen profession.
To me, there is much, much more than just practicing physical health. There are six dimensions of health and wellness: physical, emotional, spiritual, environmental, social and mental. If my health care provider, or anyone for that matter, practices 5 of the 6 dimensions of wellness in the most optimal manner, but is lacking in one area, I do not think this is cause for alarm or to put-down an entire, high-stress occupation! With that said, yes, it does bother me to see nurses, doctors and other health care providers smoking...I honestly can't say that I would stick with a doctor if they smelled like smoke in the exam room.
Do you expect your counselor, psychologist or mental-health provider to be at a 100% optimum level also? What if they smoke? What if they do not exercise? What if they are sad? What if they did not eat their veggies last night or get 8 hours of sleep? If you don't expect perfection, then what is OK? How can you tell if someone is always/sometimes/never practicing what they preach in all these areas? And, if they are not, this is OK to discriminate and judge them?
March 3, 2009 - 1:52pmThis Comment
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