Is it wrong/racist to not want a foreign born doctor?

Scott

@callarse1 (4783)

• United States

21 May 07

Oh, I see, well if they have the same qualification then you may want to choose the doctor you can understand. If you don't mind traveling longer, then that is fine :) Pablo

@foxyfire33 (10005)

• United States

20 May 07

I don't think he is a bad doctor just because he has an accent, in fact I know that he is one of the top doctors in this field. I was just thinking that since I had the option of using an American born doctor without a difficult to understand accent but with the same skill level it would be the better thing to do. That way I wouldn't have to have him repeat himself and I wouldn't have to constantly repeat myself to make sure my son is getting the care and attention required. But thank you for your input, you may be looking at it in the same way as the others I've spoken to were.

1 person likes this

4cuteboys

@4cuteboys (4099)

• United States

20 May 07

You aren't wrong at all. I am with you on this. I would REALLY want to be able to understand the doctor. I have had doctors for myself and my children where I couldn't really understand anything they said. To me that's unacceptable because I am seeing the doctor for a reason, and I need to know what's going on. No offense to the doctor though! I am sure they are just as skilled and talented as others, it's just a language/accent barrier thing. I would go to a different doctor that I could understand if I were in your situation.

2 people like this

@foxyfire33 (10005)

• United States

20 May 07

Exactly, it's just a language barrier problem. All 3 are supposed to be top doctors in their field so I know he is skilled in what he does. But I also know that this is a delicate issue and not something that I can take a chance messing up especially during the recovery time after the surgery.

1 person likes this

4cuteboys

@4cuteboys (4099)

• United States

20 May 07

Exactly! And I have to be honest. I had this pediatrician growing up and he was sweet as pie and I loved him. But I couldn't ever understand him, and neither could my parents. He would RX antibiotics and my dad would ask my mom why and she couldn't even tell him why because she didn't know what he said! Now that's not good to me, he was a great doctor, but I think it's so important to be able to understand, especially with something big like whats going on with your child!

1 person likes this

rosie_123

@rosie_123 (6113)

•

20 May 07

Well all I can say is it's a good job you don't live in the UK, were over 50% of our Doctors and Surgeons are "foreign" born - either from our former Commonweath countries like India and Pakisran, or from the EEC countries where we have reciprocal working arrangements. Because of that, I guess I have a different viewpoint, but, to me, the Doctor's nationality should make no dfference. His qualifications, and ability to do his job are all that matters. My own GP hre in the UK is originally from Eastern Europe - he is one of the best Doctors I have ever had, and my last surgery last year was carried out by the most amazing Surgeon from Pakistan. Maybe my views are coloured by the fact that Europe is generally very multi-cultural, but I really do not see the problem at all.

2 people like this

@foxyfire33 (10005)

• United States

21 May 07

Well like I said, a few times now, it has nothing to do with his nationality. The problem is that he has a very thick accent and is difficult to understand. I don't wish to risk having communication problems that could affect the care of my son.

vokey9472

@vokey9472 (1486)

• United States

20 May 07

I feel the same way you do. I would rather drive a further way to have to the comfort of knowing that I can converse easily with my child's doctor. I want to be able to understand what my doctor is telling me and I want to feel secure in knowing that he understands what I am saying to him. There is nothing unfair about it. I am so sick of all this "fair" stuff about foreign born doctors and nurses and stuff. It is the health of my child and even myself at stake. It is our choice as who we have as a doctor. If you want an American doctor who speaks and understands the langauage, they you have a right to have that doctor. When I had to choose a PCP for my son, I called the doctors and asked to speak with them, those that had heavy accents or that I couldn't understand, I crossed off the list. I found that sometimes they are foreign born, but educated here or marry Americans if it's a female doctor. You can't always tell by last name or school information so it is always better to call and talk to the doctor yourself. I dont want a doctor who cannot understand me or who I cannot understand. What if I dont understand directions for something or the doctor doesnt understand what I am describing? Medical mistakes happen when everything is perfect, so why risk it with a doctor you dont understand??

2 people like this

@foxyfire33 (10005)

• United States

21 May 07

Medical mistakes are my biggest fear. The issue is something that I doubt a skilled doctor could mess up BUT because it is done on an out-patient basis a lot of the after care will fall on me. I don't want to be the least bit unsure of what I'm doing because a mistake by me during that time could cause significant problems. The doctor doesn't need to speak a word of English to know what needs to be done and there are no symptoms for me to describe but I still need to know what will be happening. I'm glad I'm not the only one who is cautious about my children's doctors!

balthazar_196

@balthazar_196 (566)

•

20 May 07

I dont think you are being unfair, i in a way feel the same way, i dont like seeing a forign doctor who has a really strong accent not because i doubt his skills but because i sometimes cannot understand him and he cannot all the time understand me, but at the same time the other doctor has a forign background but raised in england so i dont mind seeing her. So yes i can see where you are coming from and i think that you are perfectly in your right to say what your saying and totally agree

2 people like this

@foxyfire33 (10005)

• United States

20 May 07

Thank you balthazar! I'm like you, it's not his background that bothers me, it's just that he still has such a strong accent. I'm glad you understood where I was coming from.

1 person likes this

swtnss

@swtnss (264)

• United States

22 May 07

I understand how you feel, my children have an asian pediatrician but i can understand her. Its ok to have a foreign doctor but you have to be able to understand what they are saying because they could give your child something you not understanding what it is may not give it to your child if you dont know what it is for.

doctors

ctrymuziklvr

@ctrymuziklvr (11057)

• United States

20 May 07

This would really be a tough decision for me. Personally, I think the foreign doctors are the best. On the other hand your right about being to converse with him about your child's surgery. If you haven't even spoken to him do you know that his accent is that bad that you won't understand him? If that's the case I'm sure you can request to have someone there to help you understand, that would be your right as the child's parent. I wouldn't say your wrong for not giving the foreign doctor a chance only that you are being a cautious parent and nobody can say that's wrong.

2 people like this

@foxyfire33 (10005)

• United States

21 May 07

I personally haven't spoken to him but I have spoken to others who have, including our family doctor. They all say he is difficult to understand. I don't know if they are "the best" or not but I have nothing against foreign doctors, I just don't want one that I have to struggle to understand. Thanks for understanding where I was coming from and yes, I am being a cautious parent and there is nothing wrong with that.

koikoikoi

@koikoikoi (1246)

• United States

20 May 07

That's not wrong. You just don't feel comfortable. You implied yourself that you're not racist. Therefore it's not wrong you're just uncomfortable. It's just what you feel.

1 person likes this

@foxyfire33 (10005)

• United States

21 May 07

Exactly, I'm just uncomfortable. Thank you for understanding!

Marie2473

@Marie2473 (8512)

• Sweden

20 May 07

Here in Sweden, the most skilled doctors are usually not swedish but have moved here late in life. Sure they might not speak good swedish, however it is not hard to ask again if u do not understand something., Have u talked to him so that u know that there is no way that u will be able to communicate well, then it is all up to you. You have to choose a doctor that u are comfortable with, whatever the reason is.

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@foxyfire33 (10005)

• United States

21 May 07

And that's what I plan on doing. I do know that he is difficult to understand so I think I will be more comfortable with one of the other two doctors.

shoelover

@shoelover (896)

• Australia

20 May 07

I'm with you on this one. I have tried going to foreign doctors but as I cannot always understand what they say the visit is rather useless. I always take my daughter with me and when we walk out I ask her if she understood what they say and nope she doesn't either so it's not just me. When you are seeing the doctor about your child you need to understand what the doctor is saying as there may be something you really need to understand. EG: you may think he said he needs more cheese when he's actually saying he shouldn't have more cheese. So for me to be in your situation I would go to a doctor you would be able to understand. That way even though being further away you know you are doing the right thing for your child and not accidently doing the wrong thing.

2 people like this

doctos

avoided foreign born doctor

@foxyfire33 (10005)

• United States

20 May 07

Yes, thank you. That's all that really worries me, doing the right thing for my child. I know that the doctor is skilled at what he does but if I misunderstand him there could be complications. Most likely my baby will be between 12-18 months when the surgery is done so that's scary enough without the added stress of orrying about misunderstandings.

1 person likes this

Barin Mehta -Healwell

@healwell (1268)

• Ahmedabad, India

20 May 07

I have tried to get youy and understand you! Then also i must say that yes, at some level it is racist and wrong too! Because it is also indicates about hidden prejudice also! Such prejudice is not proper for personal development! If you can bear my frankness then let me tell you that when you have said 'I'm not asking you to make the decision for me but what would you do if it was your child and do you thing I'm wrong for not giving the foreign born doctor a chance?' has also the hidden prejudice and ego of racism stands behind!

1 person likes this

child needed treatment

ego

foreign born doctor

lack of understanding

racism

wrong

Barin Mehta -Healwell

@healwell (1268)

• Ahmedabad, India

21 May 07

Well you can show any one your sentences who knows the expressions and the thing said here. Even your title line asking the same thing firefoxy! I am not saying this without any ground and I guess that you want real answer from friends here. Just be true to yourself, nothing I want to say more except this: I dont believe racism but who believes or upholding unconciously also, I will try not to critisize. If you felt so then I am sorry.

@foxyfire33 (10005)

• United States

21 May 07

Hmmm... I'm not sure I follow what you are saying either. If I am wrong or racist I certainly didn't try to hide it if I asked the question here so I don't know how it comes across as "hidden prejudice". I have no idea what you mean by "ego of racism". If you had understood the post better you would know that the problem I'm having isn't about his nationality, it is able not being to communicate clearly enough about a delicate issue involving my infant son. I see that as being very different from prejudice or racist.

understanding your doctor

crickethear

@crickethear (1417)

• United States

20 May 07

I don't think you are being unfair. I would feel the same way. It has nothing to do with eithics. If you could understand him, I am sure you would feel different. Your child is too important, and you need that communication open. You want to be able to converse fully, and understand what they are saying and what they are saying to you. If they had another doctor involved who would be there who could help explain, and someone you could understand then that would be ok. But I doubt that will happen. I know when I have things going on, and I am really needing an answer, I want to talk with someone who can understand me. I know at my work, I have people who don't understand English, and requests different translators, and I don't take offense.

1 person likes this

crickethear

@crickethear (1417)

• United States

20 May 07

I meant to say ethnic, not ethics, sorry about that, lol.

@foxyfire33 (10005)

• United States

20 May 07

If I was confidant that there wouldn't be communication problem, I wouldn't be so hesitnt to use him. Thank you for understanding that it had nothing to do with his ethnicity. Putting my baby through surgery will be stressful enough without having to worry that i've misunderstood his doctor.

mememama

@mememama (3076)

• United States

20 May 07

I'd choose the doctor with the most knowledge, regardless of their nationality or accent. It helps to understand, but I think what they actually do is more important.

2 people like this

@foxyfire33 (10005)

• United States

20 May 07

All three are top doctors in their field and as far as I can tell there is no difference in their training. The only other thing that sets them apart is that the two American born doctors are also affiliated with two top hospitals while the foreign born has a private practice. I think the hospital affiliations are another positive for the American born doctors we have to choose from. If I have to put my baby through surgery I want him to be at a top rate facility also.

1 person likes this

dawnrm69

@dawnrm69 (1174)

• United States

20 May 07

Well in my opinion try to get more information on this doctor. Some of them are good and I think that as long as he is good and can speak where you can understand him well It should be a go. I have seen some that are better and care more for the patients that others. Bedside manner is very inportant. If you could find someone who has seen him and get some information from them that can help too. Give it a try go to him and talk to him he may be the best. Let me know how it goes

2 people like this

@foxyfire33 (10005)

• United States

20 May 07

Thanks dawn, that is what I've been doing and so far the people who have spoken to him say that he is very hard to understand. Most said he was very nice though although I did hear one report that he wasn't very considerate of that particular mother's feelings. But that was one bad thing out of quite a few good things. I don't doubt his skills either, he along with the others are supposed to be the best ones available to us (within a reasonable driving distace anyway!)

1 person likes this

NatashaG

@NatashaG (100)

• United States

20 May 07

I agree with balthazar. I don't think you are being racist at all. If you can't understand what the doctor is saying then it is possible that you may misunderstand on how to treat your child, say, before surgery. And to be honest with you, I am the same way.. only not about foreign doctors. My husband is in the military and I don't like to see military doctors. I don't know why. I feel like they will be insensitive or something like that I guess.. but it's your child and your decision. No one should look down on you for wanting to see a doctor you can understand.

2 people like this

@foxyfire33 (10005)

• United States

20 May 07

Thank you for the reassurance. That's exactly what worries me. I've read up on the procedure and recover but that doesn't mean I KNOW what to do for my son. I don't want to misunderstand the doctor's instuctions. My son will be uncomfortable enough as it is without the chance of me messing something up during recovery.

1 person likes this

estherlou

@estherlou (5015)

• United States

20 May 07

When it comes to our children and who we want to trust with their care, we have to trust our instincts. Sometimes it is just a matter of someone we are most comfortable with so we can not worry! I don't call that being unfair to a foreign doctor. You do what you feel is best. It doesn't have to make sense to anyone but you!

1 person likes this

@foxyfire33 (10005)

• United States

21 May 07

Thanks esterlou! This is just such a scary thing to have to go through to begin with. I'm not even comfortable with WHAT needs to be done so I know I'm being really picky about WHO does it. This is a baby that I haven't been away from for more than 20 minutes since he was born and I'm having to hand him off to a doctor for a 1 1/2 to 3 hour surgery! I'm definitely going to trust my instincts, thanks so much for the support!

kelly60

@kelly60 (4546)

• United States

20 May 07

I can understand the problems you might have with the language barrier. Between the kids and I, we have several doctors and specialists, several of which are foreign. Some of them are more difficult to understand than others are, and although I am getting used to them, there are times when I will need to ask for things to be repeated. Once or twice, I have even had to have one of my doctors show me by drawing things out on a paper or pointing it out in a pamphlet. I am always an interpreter for my son's doctor because he cannot understand his doctor, and often the doctor cannot understand him. I would not blame you a bit for wanting a doctor that is not so hard to understand. I do not think that it has anything to do with race or nationality of the doctor. I feel that it is important to be able to understand what the doctor is telling you, and for him to understand you as well. If you cannot understand what he says, how can you follow his directions?

doctors

kelly60

@kelly60 (4546)

• United States

21 May 07

I know what you mean, I will never leave these doctor's offices without being sure that I know exactly what they mean, even if it means calling someone else into the office to interpret for me. If it was my child, and I had any doubts, I would go to a doctor where I was more comfortable.

@foxyfire33 (10005)

• United States

21 May 07

That's the part that scares me, what if I misunderstand him without realizing it and make a mistake with my son's care? That would be so hard for me to deal with. If his English was more clear I wouldn't even be having this discussion but it is how it is and it's good to know that others have the same views I have.

1 person likes this

onabreak2

@onabreak2 (1161)

• United States

20 May 07

I have to talk to these foreign doctors everyday and I dont think there is a thing wrong with you avoiding them like the plague. I dont care how good they supposedly are if you cant understand them then dont put yhourslf through the aggrivation. I dont know why they dont work with their communications skills when they come here. They get irritated at us when we cant understand them. But they irritate the heck out of me. I have to have them repeat themselves multiple times and usually en d up not understanding what there name is anyway. So I would have to say No Dont go and you are not prejudice.

foreign medical doctors

onabreak2

@onabreak2 (1161)

• United States

20 May 07

Your welcome. With something so important it is vital you understand perfectly well everything the doctor has to say to you.

@foxyfire33 (10005)

• United States

20 May 07

Sorry you've had such a difficult time but it does seem to be a comon problem. We do have one doctor that we see often who does have a strong accent but he goes out of his way to make sure we understand, although I still don't know how to say his name. Anyway, thanks for understanding that I wasn't being prejudiced and just concerned about the communication problems.

1 person likes this

liranlgo

@liranlgo (5752)

• Israel

20 May 07

I am sorry to say this, but your reason of understanding what he is saying, seems strange to me. I mean if he leaves in the u.s. and is recommanded doctor, it means that he does know what he is doing, and people do understand him. I am sure that he is aware of his accent, and he did work on this, and will talk in a very clear way that you will understand this. I know that when it concerns a family member, there are always fears from certain things, and i do agree that you will make your choice with what is more comfortable for you, and it is alright. But why wouldn't you give him a chance? does it really matter if he talks funny? I mean you will have to go to this treatment for a while? wouldn't it be better if you will go to a place which is near to your place of living?

1 person likes this

@foxyfire33 (10005)

• United States

21 May 07

I'm not sure why it's strange for me to want to understand the doctor that will be operating on my baby. None of the options are very convenient to where we live so I don't see the difference in driving 2 hours or 4. Either way, it's far enough to take up our whole day and possibly require an overnight stay when the surgery is performed. Does it matter in general if a person "talks funny"? No of course not, but when it involves a medical procedure on a baby which will require us to monitor things closely during the recover time, I think it does matter a lot that we understand the instruction properly.

Gemmygirl1

@Gemmygirl1 (2867)

• Australia

20 May 07

I think perhaps you should give him a chance, chatting over the phone makes things even harder. I have a Lithuanian pen pal who has, herself, spoken to an Australia & another on the phone, telling me the phone conversation was much harder to understand. You might be better off giving him a chance, speaking to him in person, it might make it easier & if he's closer & just as qualified as any other specialist in this field then he's definintely a good choice. I do think it's up to you of course, since it is your choice but why worry about the extra hassle of travelling time & stuff like that if this will make your life much easier in the long run?

1 person likes this

@foxyfire33 (10005)

• United States

20 May 07

I've thought about that too but even people that have spoken to him in person have said he can be difficult to understand. I do think that using a doctor that's farther away will be a little more of a hassle but going to see him and then switching if it's too difficult to communicate will be an even bigger hassle I think. Or if we misunderstand how to do something during the recovery stage and cause a complication that requires even more trips to his office or hospital than if we'd chosen one of the other two.

nica269

@nica269 (1395)

• United States

20 May 07

I don't think you're 'wrong' for not feeling comfortable with a doctor that has a strong accent. From what you explained, I don't think it's the nationality that bothers you, but the accent that makes you a bit uneasy. If you or your partner aren't comfortable with the communication part of the matter, then drive the extra hour or two to be comfortable. Good luck and hope it all works out.

foreign