By DR. PETER ROSARIO
CATHOLIC HEALTHCARE
A few weeks ago, I gave a lecture on physician advocacy to the first-year medical students at the Evansville branch of Indiana University School of Medicine. Although there are many ways to advocate for those in need of professional medical help – by direct personal contact, committees, organizations and medical societies – the underlying theme is a desire to help others. Why would you be in medical school if this desire for the care of another was not a strong, if not main, driving force? As a result, my first thought was physician advocacy is a crazy topic to be teaching.
One of the reasons Christianity spread so quickly through the pagan Roman Empire was the practice of caring for the sick and disabled. Babies thought to be imperfect were discarded only to be saved and raised in Christian homes. The Romans did not understand this behavior but were intrigued to the point that it brought about conversions from paganism.
In the Middle Ages, many monasteries located on well-travelled roads provided shelter and medical care for pilgrims. In modern times, many hospitals and orphanages were started by religious orders. It begs the question, why does man care for man?
The answer, I believe, is somehow intrinsic to our humanity. To not help another goes against the very core of our existence. Therefore, advocacy is opened to everyone.
The story of the Good Samaritan in Holy Scripture is an excellent example. The Levite and the priest who pass by the fallen man on the road make excuses (exemplified by their moving to the other side of the road) as to why they are unwilling to help. It is an active suppression of their intrinsic awareness to offer aid.
The Samaritan, on the other hand, is moved by his humanity. I pointed out to the students that we all have this desire to help others because it is part of our humanity. And perhaps, those persons seeking a vocation in the healing professions are more keenly attuned to this aspect of their being.
To make sense of this, one must believe in the spiritual aspects of our existence. The fact we care for others is a God-given blessing. Awareness of this can lead to great personal fulfillment. A reduction of this desire to help others takes much wasted energy and is never fulfilling. When we aid another we cannot help but feel joy.
I also found it important to relate to the students the need to say “no” to the wishes of a patient in some situations. Advocacy does not mean supporting whatever the patient or society desires. It cannot jeopardize a person’s health or present a moral dilemma for the physician.
As difficult as it may be, to deny assistance may be the very “care” that an individual truly needs. The challenge is to identify when help is a hindrance to improvement. There is no gain in enabling bad behavior.
Many years ago, I prescribed medication for a person with acute pain. The medication helped; but over time, I realized I was promoting an unhealthy dependence. Not an easy discussion, but a necessary one, followed. The pain medication was stopped. The pain did not recur; and a major problem, undoubtedly headed to be worse than the first one, was avoided.
All turned out well in this case. Yet, to advocate for an acquaintance, friends, family members or even society as a whole may mean putting oneself in a difficult situation. There is always the risk of causing broken relationships.
Care must also be taken to not promote what has the appearance of a helping entity to address health or social issues, but which is morally opposed to Church teachings. Advocating for in vitro fertilization for infertile couples sounds reasonable, but it is in opposition to the Church’s teachings on procreation.
To help another, to care for others, is to allow us to use, with purpose, an intrinsic aspect of our humanity that God has given us. In the end, I didn’t consider physician advocacy such a crazy topic after all. On the contrary, it would have been crazy not to teach on this subject.
Dr. Rosario is president of the Southwestern Indiana Guild of the Catholic Medical Association.