The Saline Solution
Every Christian doctor has a unique opportunity to improve both the physical and spiritual health of their patients, but many feel frustrated by the challenge of integrating their faith and practice within the time constraints of the daily schedule. And yet there is now a growing recognition in the medical literature of the important link between spirituality and health and the GMC has ruled that sharing faith with patients is fine as long as it is done in an appropriate and sensitive way.
In our contact with patients we are called to be 'the salt of the earth' - flavouring life with grace rather than blasting people with the truth. The Saline Solution is a new course developed by CMF's US sister organisation CMDA aimed at helping Christian doctors bring Christ into the consultation. So far it has helped hundreds to be more comfortable and adept at practising medicine that addresses the needs of the whole person.
The course is aimed at helping us draw patients in a natural way one step closer to a relationship with God through recognising God-given opportunities to touch them with the love of God without being pushy, forced or offensive.
Two day conferences in Birmingham and Sheffield last October proved incredibly popular and we are planning a day conference roadshow in May to July 2004. Provisional venues are Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Liverpool, Eastbourne and Tunbridge Wells. More venues will follow in the autumn.
