OPINION:
Does going to the doctor ever make you feel like a number?
You’re not alone. A 2023 TIME magazine article explored the concept of “patient burnout,” or patients avoiding necessary medical care over frustrations related to long wait times, poor communication with medical professionals once the appointment finally starts, and other hassles of the healthcare system.
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As a second-year Physician Assistant (PA) student, I can assure you that I didn’t grow up dreaming about treating numbers. My calling and goal are to treat people with compassion, empathy, and skill because I believe that all humans are made in the Image of God.
That’s a focus and a worldview not found at most medical schools. And, according to the TIME magazine article, that might be a contributing factor to patient burnout.
Jennifer Taber, an associate professor at Kent State University and co-author of a study on “doctor avoidance” told TIME that “U.S. medical schools do an excellent job of teaching students how to practice medicine … but they aren’t always preparing students to be doctors, with all the interpersonal complexity that entails.”
As I delved into my search for PA programs both within my home state of Georgia and across the nation, I quickly recognized the importance of aligning myself with an institution whose core values mirrored my own. Beyond the realm of academics, I sought a learning environment that would not only provide me with the necessary tools for professional growth but also foster the development of qualities essential to becoming a compassionate, loving, and adaptable healthcare provider in a world that is forever changing.
Thankfully, I found a strong medical program rooted in the idea of Imago Dei (Latin for the Image of God) at Cedarville University, an evangelical university in Ohio. I felt privileged by the transformative and deeply rewarding experience of participating in Cedarville’s inaugural physician assistant cohort. So, you’ll understand why I was shocked when activists from another state targeted Cedarville’s program for religious discrimination.
The issue arose when the New York Society of PAs proposed a national resolution calling on the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, the national accrediting agency for PA programs, to “refrain from granting accreditation to any PA educational program … which requires attendees to ascribe to a religious or philosophical belief.”
Among the New York activists’ primary concerns with my chosen PA program at Cedarville was the belief that “from creation, marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman that should be marked by sexual purity, by sacrificial male leadership, and by recognizing the divine blessing of children.”
In other words, we were being targeted because our lives and our actions are influenced by our faith.
This May, I was privileged to speak in opposition to this resolution at the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) national convention in Houston, introducing many of the delegates to the concept of Imago Dei. I explained how this concept has been intertwined within every aspect consistent with evidence-based medicine which leads us to see people for who they truly are and treat them how they ought to be treated.
Thankfully, the discriminatory resolution was soundly rejected, but we need to support and protect the ability of religious institutions of higher education to continue to develop the next generation of medical practitioners.
This is important because our faith enhances our practice. While learning all the fundamentals of being a medical professional we also are taught how to approach patient care with integrity, adhering to ethical standards that reflect the teachings of Christ.
Second, our faith guides us to treat all patients with unwavering dignity and respect, recognizing their inherent worth and dignity. Cedarville University teaches that all people have been gifted with one unique thing, “the Image of God.” This inclusive approach shapes us as future medical professionals, ensuring we provide care that transcends boundaries of religion, orientation, and race. It is not just about medicine; it’s about embodying empathy and love in every interaction, reflecting our commitment to serving others as an extension of our faith in God.
While many secular institutions of higher education excel in imparting scientific knowledge and technical skills (and to be clear, many wonderful and compassionate doctors graduate from these schools), Christian universities integrate faith-based principles, ensuring that graduates not only excel in medical expertise but also are equipped to truly see each individual, so we aren’t just “treating numbers” but real people. Protections must remain intact to ensure that institutions like mine can continue to produce compassionate, competent healthcare professionals dedicated to serving the world with love and integrity.
My future patients will benefit from this holistic kind of education that is offered in faith-based PA programs like Cedarville University’s.
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Alex McCollum is a second year Physician Assistant student at Cedarville University. He received a bachelor’s degree in public health and administration from Georgia College & State University and is passionate about leading those around him while providing cutting-edge healthcare to any patient or organization he encounters.
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