[ JBEM Index / Volume 2 / Number 3 ]

Editor’s Note

A) Our readership has become surprisingly international. We would like to include among our articles some from other nations. Though the specific applications will differ from nation to nation, truly Biblical principles are surely international. Though our aim is specifically at the situation in the United States, our understanding of the situation here would be improved if some of you would be willing to share your perspective.

Also on the international scene, we welcome the Journal of Christian Health Care which just published its inaugural issue in Auckland, New Zealand, edited by Wade Brett. Subscription requests should be sent to P.O. Box 13 580, Auckland 6, New Zealand. The cost outside New Zealand is NZ$44 for four issues.

Continuing to publish an excellent journal thrice yearly is Rutherford House, 17 Claremont Park, Edinburgh, EH6 7PJ, England. The journal is entitled Ethics & Medicine, and a subscription is 6.9 pounds per year. Both of these journals share our desire to base medical practice upon a Biblical foundation and to see Christ pre-eminent in all things. Euthanasia and embryo experimentation are obviously important issues internationally

B) Our spring issue contained an error regarding Dr. Joseph Neumann. Dr. Neumann was listed as “M.D.” He holds, instead, a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia, as the author identification section indicated. We regret the error.

C) If you are disgusted with the high medical insurance costs and/or daily struggles with high-handed medical insurance companies, you may want to consider attending a tentative meeting somewhere in the Southeast this fall or winter. A small group of rather thoroughly Reformed physicians who are not convinced all is yet lost, along with some non-physicians, is contemplating a meeting to brainstorm some alternatives to the expensive salvesystems available. The Journal will serve as initial organizer. Key features likely will include laying out some Biblical guidelines, then finding expert financial and legal advisors to see what can be made to fly. Write only if you are very interested and believe Biblical truth must be applied in the economic aspects of medical care.

D) Dr. W Merrill Hicks, Jr., of Greenwood, Mississippi, is responding to a call to another area of Christian medical service. As a consequence, his 9year old solo practice of Internal Medicine is for sale.

Dr. Hicks offered 7 reasons that an internist might locate in Greenwood. It is unusual in my experience to find that someone has thought so carefully about keeping his decision in accord with the Bible, and his reasons are worth summarizing here:

(1) To provide for his family. (I Tim. 5:8)

(2) To work with his hands. (Eph. 4:28) Qualified primary care physicians perform endoscopy, echocardiography, stress testing, etc.

(3) To avoid partnerships. (2 Cor. 6:14) Peer support is available in the form of weekly primary care morning reports and ready cross-coverage. Dr. Hicks believes that he is able to give more willing and empathetic service to his patients than is possible under a partnership and the patients respond in kind.

(4) To gain adequate staff support. (Eccl. 3:12) We are certainly familiar with the daily problems of medical practice and work toward the goal of mutual accountability between patients and staff.

(5) To gain balanced working hours. (Ps. 127:2) Full-time ER support is available, in addition to peer support.

(6) To gain fellowship with like-minded believers. (2 Cor. 6:14) The local Christian community includes both a growing Presbyterian Church in America congregation and an intellectual, orthodox Bible church. Reformed Theological Seminary is only 100 miles away.

(7) To minister to others – especially to other Christians. (Gal. 6:10)

Whether or not we agree with these, or would accord them similar priority, how many of us who establish a practice or join one so explicitly try to relate it to scripture?

[ JBEM Index / Volume 2 / Number 3 ]