Would you go to a doctor who appeared to be generally unhealthy?

1. 96

   CWanamakerposted 11 years ago

   Would you go to a doctor who appeared to be generally unhealthy?

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   tjdavisposted 11 years ago

   No I would not go to a doctor who appeared to be generally unhealthy because if he can't keep himself healthy how will he take care of me?  Just like I would not follow an exercise regime from someone who is fat. You know the the old saying "Physician heal thyself!!"

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   Express10posted 11 years ago

   Heck no. I cannot take advice about my health from "do as I say and not as I do types."

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   Gregoryyposted 11 years ago

   I do belive that all people in health fields do have a unwritten obligation to be a role model of health and fitness. Some people can by hypocritical though. Just becuase they are unhealthy does not mean they lack the knowledge to make another person healthier. Actions do not coorelate with knowledge. Just becuase you know the correct thing to do, does not mean you will do it, and vice versa. Some smokers say do not smoke as it will ruin you, they are right even if they do smoke themselfs.  I have had gym/health teachers who are overwieght yet they still gave out challenging workouts, and had a great knowledge on health based topics.   Another thing some people who appear healthy are not really healthy. You can look toned, skinny, and look healthy, while smoking,drinking to excess eating a lot of sweets, and doing other unhealthy things as long as you burn  more calories than you use, and/or are good at using make up.  Muscular fit looking males may be taking steroids.  A question is would you rather follow the advice of a obese registered dieatition who you know smokes on their free time, yet has extensive knowledge of what to eat and what not to. Or a skinny muscluar random person who does not have the same knowledge yet is fit becuase they are more obsessed with exercise, and take care of themselfs??

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   paxwillposted 11 years ago

   As someone who has worked in a hospital for several years, I can tell you that a lot of doctors and nurses smoke, eat like crap, and don't get enough exercise.  That's because they spend a lot of time on the job and don't have a whole lot of spare time to take care of themselves.  It doesn't mean they are bad at what they do.  I would hold off on judging them without first understanding how stressful their schedules can be.

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   1. 96

      CWanamakerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That's a very valid point.

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      Express10posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I understand your point but patients also face grueling schedules & don't even have the resources that some Dr's and RN's do to ease stress & difficulties. I know a Dr. and a couple of nurses that still work very hard to make time to be healt

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6. 62

   Lisa HWposted 11 years ago

   Sure,  I agree with Paxwill's answer.   People can get sick, no matter how healthy their overall habits are.  Also, though, as Paxwill noted, it's sometimes the people who have to keep going no matter what, who sometimes do something that isn't "the healthiest thing in the world" (like eat a Danish for energy or drink too much coffee, etc.).  I'd expect, though, the doctor who is "guilty" of not being healthy would also understand that he can't be arrogant about whether his patient can/can't following all the rules either.  I'd expect such a doctor to understand that sometimes we can all know what is healthiest/best but somehow feel the need to do what is less healthy in order to keep going, and meet our responsibilities to others.  I'd expect the "less than healthy seeming" doctor to understand his/her patients better.  If such a doctor didn't have a better understanding of what his/her patients were dealing with - then no.  That doctor would just be someone who thought S/HE had "good reason" for doing unhealthy stuff but other people can't possibly have similar "good reason".  That's not someone who wants to truly understand the roots of a problem - just an egotist who enjoys being arrogant and self-important.

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   Rebecca2904posted 11 years ago

   I would, yes. Just because someone doesn't choose to lead a healthy lifestyle doesn't mean they don't know how to - how long do these people have to spend in medical school before they can practice? I think that's a more valid qualification than just appearing generally healthy (although, of course, I'd think he was a bit of a hypocrite if he talked about diet and exercise in a condescending manner if his lifestyle was obviously unhealthy.)

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   newcalendarposted 11 years ago

   I would if I knew from experience they were a good doctor. I've dealt with doctors who are in suits and have been absolutely useless and others who are more rough and ready who have been excellent, and vice versa too. Just depends if you trust them, that's the most important thing I believe.

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