Too fat to work at a hospital?

[WildBill]

It is hypocritical for them to not follow their own advice.

That still doesn't mean it's not good advice.

[FishInTx]

David Brown, the hospital's chief executive, did not return several messages seeking comment on the policy, but he told the Texas Tribune that the hospital's patients have "expectations" regarding personal appearance that cannot be ignored.

Overweight people are about the last ones you can still discriminate against.

[matriculated]

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[74novaman]

It is hypocritical for them to not follow their own advice.

That still doesn't mean it's not good advice.

Very true. I'm also more apt to listen to good advice from someone capable of following it themselves.

For example, a 300lbs doc telling me to lose weight isn't very motivating.

[WildBill]

David Brown, the hospital's chief executive, did not return several messages seeking comment on the policy, but he told the Texas Tribune that the hospital's patients have "expectations" regarding personal appearance that cannot be ignored.

Overweight people are about the last ones you can still discriminate against.

That's coming to an end. And quickly. Discrimination is wrong, period. Black-skinned, light-weight, certain-way-dressed, our homosexual friends and neighbors... Whatever. Discrimination will never die, but it will forever be on the wane.

Maybe it will come to an "end" legally. It may be wrong, but you can't legislate people's feelings and perceptions. It may be on the wane, but it will never die.

[WildBill]

It is hypocritical for them to not follow their own advice.

That still doesn't mean it's not good advice.

Very true. I'm also more apt to listen to good advice from someone capable of following it themselves.

For example, a 300lbs doc telling me to lose weight isn't very motivating.

You have no arguement from me. It's kind of like getting marriage counselling from someone who has never been married, or someone who has been married ... three times.

I try to follow Willie Nelson's advice: Just say no to drugs, and always pay your taxes.

[matriculated]

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[WildBill]

Wildbill, healthcare advice and marriage advice fall into 2 completely different and distinct categories. Simply out, you're wrong. I call upon all MD'S with wives on this board. Speak up now. Give me another MD, please....!

I know you're wondering if I'm an MD or an RN, but I won't reveal that as it's not important. Your attitude is important. Don't pre-judge. Most folks are in it for the greater good. It's a good career, but it's also rewarding in so many various ways that a single job will never cover the whole thing...

I think that you are a bit full of yourself. If you think that only an MD, RN or their wife can have a valid opinion or give advice on healthcare or any other topic then you are simply wrong.

[FishInTx]

It is hypocritical for them to not follow their own advice.

That still doesn't mean it's not good advice.

Very true. I'm also more apt to listen to good advice from someone capable of following it themselves.

For example, a 300lbs doc telling me to lose weight isn't very motivating.

I'm guessing that if I'm in the ER with a serious gunshot wound I wouldn't care how much Doc weighed. But yeah, a check up and an overweight Doc tells me to lose weight.

Skinny cooks. Not too sure about them either.

[74novaman]

To preface this, statements of fact should not be misconstrued as judgements of character. I think that is where this "hypocrite" thing came off the rails for you, Matric.

74novaman, I think it's obvious you don't have much experience with the healthcare system........ Your attitude is important. Don't pre-judge.

Your "pre judgement" in that regard would be incorrect.

Its obvious I still haven't gotten my point across, so I'll try explaining it one more time. Oh, and apologies for the bad link. Darn apple products.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypocrite

Definition of HYPOCRITE
1
: a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion
2
: a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings

I think you were offended at the moral judgement you supposed I was making, as per definition 1.

When I say its hypocritical for a doctor to smoke/drink/eat to excess and tell his patients to do otherwise, I am using the word as its defined by definition number 2.

No moral judgement involved from me, but a mere description.

I am curious, though..if hypocrite isn't the correct word to describe someone giving others advice he doesn't follow, what word would you use to describe said act?

What I said was in no way designed to say all doctors are hypocrites or to imply that advice given by a fat doc isn't good advice.

Despite your incorrect assumptions regarding my knowledge of doctors or healthcare, I know a lot of doctors, med students, emts, nurses, etc. In my personal experience, the doctors/health care professionals that are truly passionate and care for their patients are far more likely to "practice what they preach" regarding healthy living. Those who don't are not necessarily bad doctors or poor providers of care...but they fit the Miriam Webster definition(#2) of a hypocrite like a surgical glove fits a hand.

[pbwalker]

Is this like being too short to coach basketball? Or too out of shape to coach football?

[boba]

74novaman, I think it's obvious you don't have much experience with the healthcare system

Maybe. Maybe not. However, he seems to have enough experience with the English language to know what hypocrite means. Regardless of their career.

[Sport Coach]

First, if you go to work for a private company, you buy in to their policies, right or wrong. You make the decision to work there with those policies or go to work for someone else. I believe it's fundamental that private companies be able to set reasonable policies. I also believe it's my right to try to change those policies and not pay for their services which is why I've written letters to companies who prohibit CHL carry.

Second, the Citizen's Medical Center hospital policy is quite lenient: "a body mass index of less than 35. That equates to roughly 210 pounds for someone who is 5 feet, 5 inches tall or 245 pounds for someone who is 5 feet, 10 inches..." I personally stay in shape for a variety of reasons, primarily quality of life and personal choice. It's very difficult for a 5'10" person to weigh 245 without a significant, unhealthy fat percentage.

Third, I DO NOT advocate governmental policy as to what I do and choices I have with my body.

Fourth, this country needs to take stock of our individual preventive health care. Doctors do not provide prevention, only disease minimization. The individual is solely responsible for health. I've worked in hospitals and seen the destruction of body organs, loss of feet and legs and a waste of quality of life due to poor lifestyle decisions. There will always be accidents and luck-of-the-draw but if we truly want to affect health care we need to eat reasonably and exercise regularly. Genetics makes up 3-20% of our health. The rest, the vast majority is lifestyle choice.

“It’s been said that your health can be judged by which you take two at a time – pills or stairs.” – Dr. Tedd Mitchell of The Cooper Clinic, Dallas

“For most of us, health will depend not on who we are, but on how we live. The body you have at 20 depends on your genes, but the body you have at 40, 60 or 80 is the body you deserve, the body that reflects your behavior.” – Harvey B. Simon, M.D.

“If death is the enemy, here’s the most statistically correct answer to our fears: Drive carefully, eat a low-fat diet, don’t smoke, and exercise regularly.” - Gavin de Becker, Fear Less, Real Truth About Risk, Safety, and Security in a Time of Terrorism

[SATX-Scrub]

First, if you go to work for a private company, you buy in to their policies, right or wrong. You make the decision to work there with those policies or go to work for someone else. I believe it's fundamental that private companies be able to set reasonable policies. I also believe it's my right to try to change those policies and not pay for their services which is why I've written letters to companies who prohibit CHL carry.

[/u]

Citizens hospital is not a privately owned hospital. It is the county hospital. Not criticizing, just pointing it out. The other county offices don't share this belief, trust me, I've seen the folks that work at the tax office! I do share your opinion on the private sector though!