In the city where I live there is a real shortage of doctors. I was told by an emergency room nurse that some new doctors are refusing to take new patients if they are smokers or obese. How do you feel about this?

thats crazy

Throw out the cigarettes and jump on a treadmill....

I'll just have to look the other way when I'm bouncing(security at a bar) and some Doctor is getting his butt kicked.

oh that's nice... turn down people most likely to need your services. i hate humans.

I personally don,t smoke and I am not that much overweight maybe15 lbs. This doesn,t effect me but I wonder if this is morally right . The doctors take on this is that there too many patients and not enough care givers so the ones who take care of themselves will take less of their time and they can service more people.

i think it's wrong....and should be illegal.

but if you look at it, they won't be benefiting from taking on such high risk cases. Doctors are money hungry and want that insurance payout. The longer a doctor can see you the more money they get in the long run. They think that smokers will die soon of cancer and fat people will die of related issues.

Wow, so much for the Hippocratic Oath!

That's unbelievable.

Here in my state, they have to treat you regardless of anything even if you can't pay.

i don't think i'd want to go to a doctor like that anyway...sounds like they're just there to collect money & sidestep the Hypocratic oath...jmo

same here to, and its free

I agree .

I think if they go to emergency they must be treated ..if of course they die don,t waiting. No this is about family doctors taking on new patients.

personally those are the patients that need to be seen for help.
i have seen people refused because of the no insurance issue. i was one of them. its sad when a society gets that way.

I don,t know if here in ont Canada if they can in emergency turn people away....Sam do you know?

I am not sure but I always understood that you must have a valid health card to see a doctor .

I wonder if welfare would take over.

Well, it could be that they just get tired of dealing with sick people that are unwilling to make the necessary changes in their lives. Why devote time and energy to someone who won't take care of themselves. No, its not about the money. Smoking and obesity and its related effects keep Dr.'s employed. Trust me on this one. The hospital I work at just became a "Bariatric Center Of Excellence" Meaning we do a lot of the weight loss surgery. These people need follow up care the rest of their lives. Most insurance companies don't pay for the surgery, so they have to pay full price, cash out of pocket, or finance it.
But the Dr. gets his money up front.

I think that is what the doctors here feel . Because there is such a shortage they only want to take on patients who are willing to help themselves . They can only handle so many people and I guess they feel they would rather help those that when treated they will help themselves . I just don,t know if this is right or not .How do you feel about it ?

The Declaration of Geneva, as currently amended, reads:

At the time of being admitted as a member of the medical profession:

* I solemnly pledge to consecrate my life to the service of humanity;
* I will give to my teachers the respect and gratitude that is their due;
* I will practise my profession with conscience and dignity;
* The health of my patient will be my first consideration;
* I will respect the secrets that are confided in me, even after the patient has died;
* I will maintain by all the means in my power, the honour and the noble traditions of the medical profession;
* My colleagues will be my sisters and brothers;
* I will not permit considerations of age, disease or disability, creed, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, political affiliation, race, sexual orientation, social standing or any other factor to intervene between my duty and my patient;
* I will maintain the utmost respect for human life;
* I will not use my medical knowledge to violate human rights and civil liberties, even under threat;
* I make these promises solemnly, freely and upon my honour.


nuff said.