Medical Science vs 'Social Justice'?

"[The 2025 framework for training future physicians] affords us the opportunity to think critically and propose a vision for the practice of medicine which is rooted in social justice, anti-racism, anti-oppression and cultural safety, promoting a broader cultural shift which is necessary for the profession."

"A new model of CanMEDS would seek to centre values such as anti-oppression, anti-racism and social justice, rather than medical expertise."

"[The new system envisioned] would prioritize bidirectional relationships with patients, providers, communities, the land, the health system and society at large rather than the individual physician as a gatekeeper of professionalized knowledge. With this new model, we can reflect a stance of humility over hubris."

Anti-racism working group

"In daily practice, [DEI] is barely given a nod. We are overwhelmed by the volume of patients that need care on a daily basis."

"Our work has bled into our evenings and weekends leaving very little time to think about what seems to be both a political and academic exercise. You can imagine the chaos that would ensue if patients were queued based on perceived oppression as opposed to the acuity of their medical condition."

"The vast majority of physicians have entered the field in order to care for others. There is an abundance of empathy and kindness among my colleagues."

"[DEI] has tried to piggyback on these noble traits and impose a social justice agenda that is driven by only a handful of activist physicians." 

Dr. David Jacobs, president, Ontario Association of Radiologists

AAMC.org

 

It was only a matter of time, after all. The overwhelming social agenda of diversity-equality-inclusion activists determined to change societal norms and to have everyone everywhere condemn 'colonialist'  and 'imperialist' racism in all its guises, where those judged white have been privileged and entitled for far too long, and it's now the turn of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour to be advantaged over white entitlement, has entered government at all levels, schools and universities, the professional bodies, unions and every other facet of society.

Now, it seems, it's the turn of the medical profession. A profession overwhelmed by the demands of its services on a growing public that cannot find primary care physicians, reflective of the shortages of medical professionals. Who themselves are beyond fatigue working long hours, trying to compensate for the dearth of family doctors, coping with infuriating government paperwork; underpaid and feeling under-appreciated. Now, a final assault on their consciousness, to imbibe the social justice message to incorporate it thoroughly in all their experiences with the public.

Under the auspices of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, a working group is opting to push for the training of future doctors to concentrate on social justice and anti-racism; medical expertise, evidently, is optional. Move over, Enlightenment ideals of science and reason; Marxist ideology is preparing to take over...

AAMC.org

 

CanMEDs is implemented by a consortium including the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the College of Family Physicians of Canada, the Canadian Medical Association, the Medical Council of Canada and the Quebec College of Physicians, as well as others. According to the anti-racism working group that reports to CanMED, the medical profession is described in their report as committing "structural violence" against the marginalized. Leading to its authors proposing a social justice solution to be implemented within the health system.

In one section of the report entitled "Decentering medical expertise", a shift away from medical expertise is called for, toward values such as anti-racism, anti-oppression, shared humanity and decolonization. What could go wrong? This "humility over hubris" concept represents the virtue of the caring and compassionate working group, deploring their haughty, pride-filled colleagues. Another section in the report calls for recognition that historical power structures such as "white supremacy, hetero-patriarchy and capitalism" inform the present, and something desperately must be done to change it.

AAMC.org

 

In Dr. Jacobs' opinion the cult of diversity, equality and inclusion strives to alter medicine from a discipline caring for patients to one championing social justice -- to the extreme detriment of the former, and therefore to society at large. Aside from which, the entire concept is the product of disturbed minds. ("This is bonkers") The goal of medicine is to train doctors in medical competency. In the world of DEI, doctors are to be "tested for 'purity of thought'."

"Equity is about recognizing and accommodating people’s differences to ensure that every individual has what they need to thrive. In the background to its policy on equity and diversity in medicine Opens in a new window, the CMA says equity is achieved when 'every person has the opportunity, with their own identity, culture, and characteristics, to create and sustain a career as, or receive care from, a medical professional without discrimination or any other cultural or characteristic-related negative bias or barrier'."

Canadian Medical Association Website

Hitting all the right notes in intersectionality; female and Black...Canadian Medical Association website

"Beyond the obvious worrisome impact on patients, there is also an impact on physicians' freedom of expression and thought."

"[DEI] is governed and policed by a small unelected and unaccountable group that is using the authority of universities and medical governing bodies to establish what is acceptable and what is unacceptable thought."

"[Medicine should return to embracing respect and partnership with patients, and] strongly reject those who would try to weave their political and social agenda into the doctor-patient relationship."

Dr. David Jacobs

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Publicly state and reaffirm its support for diversity in medical education and acknowledge the incorporation of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts as a vital aspect of medical training.

Directly oppose any local, state or federal actions that aim to limit diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, curriculum requirements or funding in medical education.

Advocate for resources to establish and maintain DEI offices at medical schools that are staff managed and student- and physician-guided as well as committed to longitudinal community engagement.

Investigate the impacts of state legislation regarding DEI-related efforts on the education and careers of students, trainees and faculty.

American Medical Association

Human Dignity

"[Dismissed], not because of any realistic concerns over the rights and sensitivities of transgender individuals, but because of my refusal to make an abstract ideological pledge."
"If you believe in gender fluidity, gender is no more than one's own fantasy about oneself."
"As a Christian, there's a conflict between what society says is a human right and my inability to use pronouns in this way."
"The very fact a doctor can be pulled off the shop floor for an urgent interrogation about his beliefs on gender fluidity is both absurd and very sinister, even more so if it results in a dismissal."
"If something like that happened in a church setting -- people being pulled out of a pew, questioned, and then excommunicated -- that would be seen as an outrageous example of religious intolerance and bigotry."
"I am, of course, aware that there are men or women who believe they have been trapped in a wrong body and I do not question the sincerity of their convictions. A small number of such people have always existed."
"Up until recently, such a belief was considered by medics to be delusional and a symptom of a medical disorder."
"I appreciate that in the present political climate, some people, including some of those who believe they are transgender, may find my beliefs to be offensive. However, in a free society, this is not a good enough reason to censor my beliefs and coerce me to act contrary to my conscience."
"Moreover, as a doctor, my responsibility is always to act in good conscience in the best interest of the patients -- not to adopt various fancies, prejudices, or delusions, to avoid offence at all cost."
Dr. David Mackereth, 56, emergency doctor

Dr David Mackereth said he wanted "the right to practise medicine as a Christian doctor" PA Media

"[You must follow the] process as discussed in your training."
"If however you do not want to do this, we will respect  your decision and  your right to leave your contract."
James Owen, supervisor, Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), Midlands, Great Britain

Dr. Mackereth, a Christian evangelist and also a medical doctor was called into the office of his supervisor at the Department of Work and Pensions where he worked as a disability benefits assessor. He was asked by Centre manager, James Owen how he would react in a hypothetical situation. That situation seemed quite implausible to Dr. Mackereth, informed both by his religious belief and his profession as a medical doctor.

How the question was framed was whether he would be agreeable, should a "six-foot-tall bearded man request of him to be addressed as "madam", or "Mrs.", to oblige accordingly. To most people such a request from such a source would represent a risible absurdity. Dr. Mackereth frankly responded that a request of this nature would be one he would be incapable of honouring. Who, quite honestly, would?

"If  you have a man, six foot tall with a beard, who says he wants to be addressed as 'she' and 'Mrs.' would you do that?" appears to be the verbatim quote in Dr. Mackereth's suit against the government agency at an employment tribunal alleging discrimination on the grounds of his religious belief. Dr. Mackereth made it clear to the Birmingham hearing that he believes transgenderism is a "delusional belief" representing an ideology "which I disbelieve and detest". Many would add 'amen' to that.

As a theologian with thirty years of medical experience, his position as a health and disability assessor began in May of 2018 at an assessment centre. An assignment that didn't last very long, given his suspension a month later when the "interrogation" by his supervisor resulting in his refusal to "call any six-foot-tall bearded man 'madam' on his whim", lost him that position. The tribunal was informed by Dr. Mackereth he was aware he would be "overwhelmingly likely" to lose his job without committing himself to the use of female pronouns in reference to an obvious physical male.

June 25, 2018 was his final day at work following an email exchange with Mr. Owen which instructed the doctor to follow the "process as discussed in your training". The consequence of not doing so was made abundantly clear when the following statement obliquely went on to spell out failure to comply would indicate Dr. Mackereth's "....right to leave your contract".

And while the doctor insists it was not his decision to resign his position, that he was victimized through direct discrimination and harassment, the Department of Work and Pension responds with the argument that Dr. Mackereth's views breach the 2010 Equality Act. The recruitment company which hired the doctor for the DWP stated the doctor's beliefs "are not compatible with human dignity".

Their views on human dignity and related lack of respect for Dr. Mackereth's have earned them a prominent place in the doctor's suit for religious discrimination. Dr. Mackereth's world and professional view remains that transgenderism represents a "rebellion against God, which is both pointless and sinful". Remove the reference to a spirit and replace it with Nature, and many would agree.

"If you have a man, six foot tall with a beard, who says he wants to be addressed as 'she' and 'Mrs.', would you do that?"    Getty Images