Finding Secular/Rational Doctors

I don't have a personal doctor. I have a dentist that I really like. but I'm healthy. For the irregular issues like a staph infection 4 or 5 years ago, I just go to a walk-in clinic. But I'm nearing 40. It's getting to be time for regular check ups including getting the finger. If some dude is gonna finger me, I at least want to have a working relationship with him. :D Colon cancer is in the family, so it's time to find a family doctor for me.
I don't just want any doctor. If I'm going to see a doctor, I want to be on the same page. I want a doctor that accepts evolution. I don't want a doctor whom doesn't keep up with medicine and contemporary thought. I want doctor whom doesn't let a belief structure guide their thoughts on biology and medicine.
I want a doctor that is going to deal with me rationally. If and when it's time to deal with an illness or death, I don't want him, or her (Just realized that I'm leaving the hers out. All of my regular docs have been men by chance.) to look at me and suggest a local church for comfort. To me, they might as well suggest a witch doctor at that point. If I have that issue, I don't want them to create another one for me in terms of confidence or causing wavering trust.
So has anyone ever sought this out? How would one go about asking about this? Can you set up consultations with doctors to play 20 questions? What advice can you come up with to help me or others find that doctor that will meet our needs?

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Permalink Reply by Sophie on April 7, 2011 at 12:12pm
I am not sure. I wish there was a way to find this out. There is nothing worse then going through an automated phone system and hear spin the wheel on what doctor you want by just hearing their name! FRUSTRATING!
Permalink Reply by Ron V on April 7, 2011 at 9:34pm

I am a physician with no religious affiliation.  I specialize in Leukemia/Lymphoma lab medicine. 

In my field, evolution is observable.  Many leukemias and lymphomas have identifiable genetic/molecular mutations that are examples of evolution (refer to http://asheducationbook.hematologylibrary.org/cgi/content/full/2009... for an article directly related to evolution and my field).  With respect to Natural Selection, these are obviously not advantageous mutations, but they are examples of observable evolution nonetheless.   

With respect to understanding evolution, I believe it is extremely important for understanding disease and developing cutting edge treatments.  However, I would imagine many primary care providers can provide excellent care regardless of their understanding of or acceptance of evolution.  Personally, I do think their ability to truly understand disease and pathophysiology is hindered if they don't understand evolution, but a lack of understanding or accepting evolution is unlikely to affect their ability to provide quality primary care- unless of course they have gone off the deep end and think prayer or churchgoing will cure disease.

You should check with any local secular organizations in your area or a Unitarian Universalist church near you for potential recommendations/references.  I would imagine you might find a physician, or at least get a reference, in a nearby secular group or UUC.  If not, I would recommend you call the office of any prospective doctor and simply explain your concerns to the office staff.  I would hope the doctors would be sincere and recommend you find someone else if they do not possess the qualities you are seeking.

Good luck. 

Permalink Reply by Gaytor on April 7, 2011 at 11:47pm

Thanks RV. I'll look into any secular organizations. I certainly want a doctor whom is going to be strictly science based. The attitude of dealing with information rationally is what I'm concerned with. When you choose a doctor, you are choosing someone to interpret the data for you. Putting my life into the hands of someone I fundamentally disagree with to begin with doesn't make sense to me. 

But the real issue is any bedside manner. It would rarely be an issue, but eliminating the problem before it rears it's potential head at a time like during illness makes sense. This would apply down to the office staff and dealing with them. The last thing that I would need to hear after being diagnosed with cancer is, "Do you know Jesus?"

Permalink Reply by NoodlyJames on April 20, 2011 at 7:28pm
Are you near Massachusetts?
Permalink Reply by Gaytor on April 20, 2011 at 8:19pm
No. I'm in Seattle.
Permalink Reply by NoodlyJames on April 20, 2011 at 7:30pm
The vast majority of M.D.'s accept evolution. Many of the younger ones are atheists. The major problem would actually be the staff although many of the ones I know are also atheists.
Permalink Reply by Tyler Lewis on April 29, 2011 at 4:12pm
Like I mentioned below this, I get to spend time with a lot of medical personnel, including staff; RNs; LVNs; EMTs; etc, during my internships. I can say that, at least judging from the area I work in, people's faith rarely impede on their level of care. I'm an atheist, myself, but that's never really been an issue with anyone I work with.
Permalink Reply by Tyler Lewis on April 29, 2011 at 4:10pm

During my clinical rotations I get to know quite a few doctors, especially the ER docs. I must admit I've met a few who hold quite obvious religious affiliation, however I've never known of a doctor to let his belief come before his practice. Honestly I feel that attempting to find a secular/rational doctor might be an unnecessary pipe dream, though not by any means unheard of.

 

All I'm trying to say is that, regardless of faith, a doctor's first priority is normally his practice and his patients.

 

"Do no harm."

Permalink Reply by Johno on February 13, 2012 at 11:48am
I have a somewhat random request. I am writing a book at the moment and am in need of getting a quote from a doctor with expertise in childbirth. My book is a critical look at the historicity of the nativity. In one section, i will be looking at the likelihood of someone (Joseph) asking a 9-month pregnant woman (Mary) to walk or ride on a donkey on an 80 mile trip. The questions are:
 
What physiological implications would there be for a 9-month pregnant woman to walk 80 miles?
What physiological implications would there be for a 9-month pregnant woman to ride on a donkey for 80 miles?
 
How likely would she be to:
Go into labour?
miscarry?
 
Would she be able to complete the journey without any such implications?
 
Cheers
 
Jonathan M.S. Pearce
Permalink Reply by David Smith on December 11, 2013 at 11:01am

I want a doctor who knows medicine in side and out.  granted i would rather not have a doctor who believes that the world is only 6000 years old, but if that same doctor has a really good record of curing patients, thats good enough for me.

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