What would a Judaism-based medical practice look like?

Nurse Doctor

My first article for Jewish Sacred Aging outlined my thoughts on the intersection of Jewish spirituality and practice, and medicine. In this piece, I would like to further expand my thoughts on the topic.

Exploring the multiple intersections of Judaism and medicine has been a fascinating and enlightening journey. One of my favorite endeavors so far have been the case discussions that I have conducted with Rabbi Address and the participants in Congregation Kol Ami’s weekly program, Spice Up Your Judaism. This group, comprising both healthcare professionals and lay people, has put forth remarkable insights, not only into their own personal experiences with both institutions, but the connections between them.

We have so far discussed two ethically and medically challenging cases, both of which highlight the moral ambiguity involved in medical decision-making, and the need for a system of ethics, such as Judaism’s, to adjudicate the complex choices left on the table for us to make. Not only have these discussions reinforced the point to me that people are often ready and willing to have conversations about difficult medical dilemmas but need to have them to ensure the best medical outcomes.

Therefore, one main component of a Jewishly oriented medical practice would be a consultative service providing Jewish ethical guidance to patients and families, addressing medical dilemmas and problems on a case-by-case basis. Such an approach would not only involve a knowledgeable physician, but also linkage to a team of outside consults, most importantly those trained as rabbis and medical ethicists with knowledge of Jewish teachings.

By embedding such Jewish ethical guidance within the workflow of clinic care, patients will be able to use real-time Jewish guidance in their medical decision-making, as well as plan for future health needs and personal desires regarding the use of life-preserving technology such as invasive ventilation or feeding tubes. Patients often struggle to make these difficult decisions in a vacuum and would benefit greatly from proximity to a tradition that has much to say regarding health and medicine. Guidance as to medical decision-making would be provided in the context and background of an ancient spiritual tradition, easing the burden on patients and their families.

However, this approach need not be limited to existential medical issues but can include routine conditions as well. The Jewish approach to wellness, which holistically emphasizes the health of the body and spirit, can be applied to a wide variety of acute and chronic medical conditions. I believe that by elevating the treatment of a common condition, such as diabetes, by applying Jewish principles, patients will find more agency and energy to sustain their treatment over the long-term.

Such a medical practice based on Jewish tradition and principles would be well situated to partner with a local synagogue or Jewish community center, whose staff and clergy can partner with the physician to interpret issues of Jewish law for those following Halakhah, link patients to relevant Jewish events and programming, as well as comprise a Jewish “care team” that is able to address the multidimensional scope of the practice. Such a practice could also be a source of continuing health and wellness education for the community, providing educational programming for synagogue Hebrew schools, and offering mentorship opportunities for children and adolescents interested in Jewish approaches to medicine or the profession of medicine itself.

The overall effect of such an approach would be the real-time and future-oriented application of Jewish ethical principles regarding health and wellness to medical decision-making as well as the treatment of acute and chronic illnesses. Such an approach would create a longitudinal partnership between a physician, his or her patients, as well as involved Jewish clergy and lay leaders. My hypothesis is that such a partnership will lead to better health outcomes, as well as greater spiritual fulfillment.

Viewing health in the context of an ancient tradition such as Judaism is a means for patients to re-orient their views on health and wellness and ensure that care is provided in the context of a helpful ethical and philosophical system. In this piece, I have sought to further clarify and define what such a medical practice might look like and how it might operate in a general sense. I would love feedback as to the thoughts presented here, as well as areas for future direction.

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