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How can I be a health professional who both serves my patients in their needs, while sharing my Christian faith throughout my practice ?

- High School Senior pursuing medicine and healthcare
- Volunteers at church every Sunday in children's ministry
- Has done two dermatology internships
- Currently working at a med-spa
- Equestrian and golfer
- Interested in owning a practice and participating in medical missions trips

medicine spring25 doctor health public-health christian christianity
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Michael’s Answer

If you are thinking about sharing your faith or proselytizing while in your private practice, the answer is probably NO. It is generally considered unethical for a physician to proselytize to patients. It is a violation of professional boundaries, physicians should primarily focus on providing competent medical care and respecting patient autonomy and values. Proselytizing in a medical practice can be seen as an abuse of power, potentially exploiting the patient's dependency on that physician.

Physicians can be supportive of a patient's needs, referring to a hospital chaplain or another person trained in pastoral care. In my surgical practice, I never refused a patient's or patient's family's request to pray with them, however it is not something that I would offer up.

As far as mission trips go, my word of advice is to be careful. I participated in a mission that returned to the same location twice annually for over 25 years, keep excellent patient records, and had local physicians for post surgical followup. Over the years I saw the Good, the Bad and the Ugly in other "missions" that came to the same location. Some missions are no more than medical tourism, treating patients and never seeing results of interventions, good or bad.

I recommend reading "To Hell with Good Intentions" by Ivan Illich , a 7 page essay. https://www.uvm.edu/~jashman/CDAE195_ESCI375/To%20Hell%20with%20Good%20Intentions.pdf and "Hoping to Help" by Judith Lasker https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501700101/hoping-to-help/bookTabs=1

I also recommend taking a class in ethics early in your college career and following the AMA Journal of Ethics https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/home to keep current on current thought on Medical Ethics.
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Marisel Rosa’s Answer

Dear Sofia, Mr. Thompson gave you a very good suggestion. I had my own ob/gyn practice for 20 years, it is not easy to leave for missionary trips if no income is coming in while you are gone. On the other hand, you can have nurse practitioners, physician assistants or other physicians that can be in the office while you are away. Having your own practice is quite challenging--economically and psychologically. Working in a group or clinic setting may be a better way to go. However, one issue with that is that you will not have the freedom to leave when and for the length of time you desire.

In terms of sharing your faith, I came across this beautiful sentence:
"Remember that in your life, religion is not merely one influence among others; it is to be an influence dominating all others." Best of luck to you.
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Bobby’s Answer

Hi Sofia,

The Billy Graham ministry is looking for dedicated missionaries and chaplains. This Christian Evangelical Association, based in South Carolina, offers a wonderful opportunity to make a positive impact. You can learn more about how you can help at https://billygraham.org/answers/missionaries-are-needed-today-more-than-ever?ri=wc.
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