Printed from: https://www.cmf.org.uk/advocacy/submissions/?id=58
Published: 3rd March 2009
Dear Tomorrow's Doctors team
We are writing on behalf of the Christian Medical Fellowship, who represent almost 1,000 medical student members across the UK and Ireland.
We wish to commend you on an excellent update of the guidelines, which are both balanced and comprehensive.
As we are generally very happy with the draft document, we have chosen not to use the consultation questionnaires, but just make two specific suggestions:
i) Awareness of the significance of religion and faith
We commend section 165d on p39, which sets out the need to 'respect patients' right to hold religious or other beliefs, and take these into account when relevant to treatment options'.
In the light of this, we suggest the addition of a single word, 'religious' in section 159b on p31, so that it would read, 'Communicate clearly…regardless of…social, cultural, religious or ethnic backgrounds…' This is important in ensuring that students understand the need to cultivate an awareness of the relevant religious and faith issues that are important to their patients, and that they learn to make the distinction between culture and religion.
ii) Ethical reflection
Section 165 on p39 is a good summary of most of the ethical responsibilities of doctors. However, we suggest the addition of a further paragraph 'h', to read as follows:
'Demonstrate awareness of key ethical issues, and be able to consider these in a balanced way, remaining up-to-date and being conversant with relevant ethical frameworks.'
This is important so that tomorrow's doctors are able to form balanced opinions on the major ethical issues, including those at the beginning and end of life. They should be able to discuss these with colleagues and patients where appropriate.
Many thanks for your hard work in producing the new guidelines.
Yours faithfully
Dr Mark Pickering
Head of Student Ministries
Dr Andrew Fergusson
Head of Communications
Steven Fouch (CMF Head of Communications) 020 7234 9668
Alistair Thompson on 07970 162 225
Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) was founded in 1949 and is an interdenominational organisation with over 5,000 doctors, 900medical and nursing students and 300 nurses and midwives as members in all branches of medicine, nursing and midwifery. A registered charity, it is linked to over 100 similar bodies in other countries throughout the world.
CMF exists to unite Christian healthcare professionals to pursue the highest ethical standards in Christian and professional life and to increase faith in Christ and acceptance of his ethical teaching.
