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Is there any religious discrimination in the medical field?

I'm a covering Muslim female in high school and I'm greatly considering a career in the medical field. However, I want to get an idea of what I may need to face in the professional world considering what I face in my day-to-day life. Thanks in advance :) #doctor #nurse #professional #health #pre-med #healthcare-industry

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Michael’s Answer

There is not specific religious discrimination in the sense that someone will specifically inquire into your religious beliefs, there can be discrimination if you hold religious or even reasoned beliefs not rooted specifically in religion which conflict with the dominant secular, utilitarian philosophical belief system that drives current medical ethics. So for example abortion and to a growing extent physician assisted suicide are largely thought of by the secularist types in academic medicine as perfectly acceptable where a number of religious traditions would hold these things are immoral forms of homicide. This is certainly true of my own religious tradition ( Roman Catholicism). The reasons Catholicism and other traditions have objections to these practices does not necessarily flow from specifically religious doctrines, but may be related to the logical approach these traditions take in answering moral questions. In any case the discrimination and pressure one might get if one rejects the dominant secular belief system in academic medicine is not insurmountable and can be managed with compromising your moral integrity if you are calm and clear when dealing with any conflicts. As a specific attack on specific religions however this is uncommon.

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Richard’s Answer

I am sorry to say that discrimination is still very prevalent in certain parts of the country. Here in Texas, a patient requested to no longer be treated by my "Arab" partner. (It is irrelevant to the story that my partner is neither form the middle east nor Muslim but a second generation Indian-American.) Sadly, ignorance and bigotry follow the patients into the hospital.
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Rachel’s Answer

While discrimination still exists in the medical field, people and institutions are becoming more welcoming and open minded every day. I was in a class of 5/5 female surgery residents. I know a gay female surgeon. I know Ashkenasim Jews that take off every Saturday for the Sabbath. While discrimination makes life harder sometimes, it should never prevent you from pursuing your dreams.
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