Can a Hospital Say, 'Only Thin Doctors Can Work Here'?
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Can a Hospital Say, 'Only Thin Doctors Can Work Here'?
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Saw a discussion on Medscape about a hospital in Texas USA, saying that it would not employ staff who are overweight because it does not set a good example to patients. Why should patient listen to a
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Forums » Open clinical » General clinical » Can a Hospital Say, 'Only Thin Doctors Can Work Here'?
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Can a Hospital Say, 'Only Thin Doctors Can Work Here'?
posted at 1/6/2012 2:56 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 26
First: 10/4/2012 Last: 1/5/2013 |
Saw a discussion on Medscape about a hospital in Texas USA, saying that it would not employ staff who are overweight because it does not set a good example to patients. Why should patient listen to a doctor lecture them on healthy eating and living, when they themselves do not practice what they preach? http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/764581 Is there a cultural difference here? US healthcare is not free so you may be deterred from paying for a health service where the doctor is not healthy themselves. Doesn't inspire confidence does it? But with the NHS, because it is mainly free, can overweight doctors get away with being overweight more so than our US counterparts? |
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Re: Can a Hospital Say, 'Only Thin Doctors Can Work Here'?
posted at 1/6/2012 4:03 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 3037
First: 27/3/2012 Last: 18/5/2013 |
It does not seems logical to deny employment for overweight personalities, as the causes of obesity are multifaceted & a familial or genetic predisposition is also as equally important as the dietary factors & exercise are. So, it would be injustice not to employ overweight doctors in a hospital setting. |
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Re: Can a Hospital Say, 'Only Thin Doctors Can Work Here'?
posted at 1/6/2012 5:37 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 311
First: 7/5/2009 Last: 2/4/2013 |
In Response to Re: Can a Hospital Say, 'Only Thin Doctors Can Work Here'?: It does not seems logical to deny employment for overweight personalities, as the causes of obesity are multifaceted & a familial or genetic predisposition is also as equally important as the dietary factors & exercise are. So, it would be injustice not to employ overweight doctors in a hospital setting. Posted by Dr. K. Ashutosh Well said and i agree Although it would be better if a doctor tries to remain in shape but i know many doctors who are fat, chubby and an outstanding clinician. So my answer to the question would be NO
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Re: Can a Hospital Say, 'Only Thin Doctors Can Work Here'?
posted at 3/6/2012 8:38 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 154
First: 19/1/2012 Last: 18/5/2013 |
I think doctors are expected by society to be role models for good health, for example maintaining a healthy weight. Patients in fact have been shown to have more confidence in doctors that are of normal weight than those who are obese[i]. I wonder more about the doctors who stand outside hospital gates smoking (nbecause smoking on hospital grounds generally isn't allowed in the UK, and smoking indoors in public buildings has been illegal since 2007), wonder how that looks to the general public? [i]Hash RB, Munna RK, Vogel RL, Bason JJ. Does physician weight affect perception of health advice? Prev Med 2003 Jan;36(1):41-4. |
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Re: Can a Hospital Say, 'Only Thin Doctors Can Work Here'?
posted at 3/6/2012 11:08 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 578
First: 8/6/2011 Last: 19/5/2013 |
I think that the overweight doctors because they have the problem ' they have read more and are more informed about the negative aspects of obesity and the treatment that must be done. And i think the same and for them who are smoking . Life is not only white and black. |
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Re: Can a Hospital Say, 'Only Thin Doctors Can Work Here'?
posted at 4/6/2012 1:34 AM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 1593
First: 24/12/2008 Last: 14/5/2013 |
Although it seems good step to encourage public and staff to control their weight, it will not be wise to implement to recruit staff or fire them on the basis of this. I agree with Dr Ashutosh. That's correct about the aetiology of overweight.
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Re: Can a Hospital Say, 'Only Thin Doctors Can Work Here'?
posted at 4/6/2012 3:43 AM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 324
First: 23/12/2011 Last: 3/5/2013 |
I most definitely say that we should NOT say we should say no to those who are overwight. As a previous poster said above, does that mean hospitals should say 'Only Non-smokers Can Work Here' or 'Only non-alcoholics can Work Here' or alternatively 'Only those with no co-morbidities can work here.' |
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Re: Can a Hospital Say, 'Only Thin Doctors Can Work Here'?
posted at 4/6/2012 4:06 AM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 2947
First: 10/3/2009 Last: 29/4/2013 |
This is indeed a weighty issue but something I think we can sink our teeth into notwithstanding my light-weight comments. It is this in contravention to the UN Declaration on Human Rights? On the other hand a very fat doctor is like an adulterous preacher; a contradiction.
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Re: Can a Hospital Say, 'Only Thin Doctors Can Work Here'?
posted at 4/6/2012 9:37 AM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 1259
First: 13/4/2010 Last: 19/5/2013 |
Of course doctors should try to set a "healthy example" but we are just human in the end of the day. If you prevented obese doctors from working what about those who smoke or who get caught driving without a seat belt or who get drunk occasionally? |
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Re: Can a Hospital Say, 'Only Thin Doctors Can Work Here'?
posted at 4/6/2012 1:20 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 2947
First: 10/3/2009 Last: 29/4/2013 |
In Response to Re: Can a Hospital Say, 'Only Thin Doctors Can Work Here'?: Of course doctors should try to set a "healthy example" but we are just human in the end of the day. If you prevented obese doctors from working what about those who smoke or who get caught driving without a seat belt or who get drunk occasionally? Posted by skyesteve In Australia you get Transportation to Magna Britannica for the Term of Your Natural Life. Stealing a sheep or a loaf of bread and you get hanged.
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