By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    medicare part d benefits
    Everything that You Need to Know About Medicare Part D
    August 15, 2022
    Best Ways to Boost Your Immune System this Winter
    Best Ways to Boost Your Immune System this Winter
    November 15, 2022
    back pain issues
    Ways to Treat Constant Back Pain
    August 21, 2023
    Latest News
    How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
    July 17, 2025
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    More On Wellness Programs To Improve Health and Reduce Costs
    January 25, 2012
    Privatizing Social Security and Medicare: Who Can Defuse Political Dynamite?
    June 12, 2011
    Study: Risk of Death in Elderly Patients with Dementia Doubled with Some Antipsychotic Medications
    February 26, 2012
    Latest News
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
    How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
    July 17, 2025
    How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
    July 17, 2025
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Should Physicians Profile Our Patients?
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Business > Should Physicians Profile Our Patients?
BusinessPolicy & LawSpecialtiesWellness

Should Physicians Profile Our Patients?

Michael Kirsch
Michael Kirsch
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE
Profiling in this country is highly discouraged and is illegal in many circumstances.  Anti-profilers decry this technique which, they argue, unfairly targets innocent individuals violating their rights.  Our beloved Transportation Security Administration, or TSA, is charged not to use profiling as a screening tool.  Personally, I object to this prohibtion.  While an individual’s rights are important, it must be weighed against the rights of the community.
Profiling in this country is highly discouraged and is illegal in many circumstances.  Anti-profilers decry this technique which, they argue, unfairly targets innocent individuals violating their rights.  Our beloved Transportation Security Administration, or TSA, is charged not to use profiling as a screening tool.  Personally, I object to this prohibtion.  While an individual’s rights are important, it must be weighed against the rights of the community.  Our cherished rights to free speech and assembly are not absolute.
 
I have flown on El Al airlines, whose personnel actively profile in an effort to keep its passengers safe.  Anyone who has been a passenger on this airline will likely agree with me that he has never felt safer on an airplane.  I have a right not be blown up, and if profiling further minimizes this risk, then call me a fan.
Last year, my mother, who appears as threatening as a school librarian, was patted down twice when she traveled to visit me in Cleveland.  I’m sure that the patter-downers were following the rules and regs, but this doesn’t seem to be a well targeted effort. 
A Non-controversial Profile
 
I’m familiar with the argument against law enforcement using profiling to reduce crime and protect public safety.  I understand that this can lead to abusive practices by overzealous police officers.  But I wonder if, as El Al believes, this can be a legitimate tool in law enforcement’s armementarium.  I’m open to the debate here.
 
I’m a physician and I certainly profile my patients.  I don’t have a single template for treating abdominal pain in all  patients.   For example, if I see a recent immigrant from China with stomach issues, a part of the world where gastric cancer is relatively common, this may affect the speed and intensity of my evaluation.   If an American born patient comes to my office with the same complaint, my response might differ.   If breast cancer is more common in Ashkenazi Jewish women, shouldn’t we factor this in when we are advising them on risk reduction?  Certain populations have different health risks.  Physicians are always trying to separate out patients who might warrant special attention. 
 
If you are trying to reduce a certain disease that is largely restricted to one segment of the population, doesn’t it make sense to target this segment rather than everyone?
 
I realize that health and law enforcement may not be analogous.  I also realize that profiling in law enforcement is a very sensitive issues, particularly for minorities who have been victimized by this technique.   But, if we abandon the procedure entirely, are we forfeiting a tool that could keep us all safer? 
 
El Al has a different view.  Here, in America, TSA is trying to detect evil stuff. El Al is trying to detect evil people.  Which makes more sense?

 

 
TAGGED:patientsPhysiciansprofiling
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
Global Healthcare Policy & Law
July 17, 2025
paramedics in surgical gloves and masks
How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
Health care
July 16, 2025
a woman giving a key
How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
Health
July 16, 2025
a woman with kinesio tapes on her back arm
How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
Health care
July 16, 2025

You Might also Like

Daddy Did WHAT?: Dementia, Sex, and Humor

June 6, 2012

5 Facts You Should Know About Nurse Practitioners

December 22, 2011
Home Health

5 Healthy Practices for Women to Stay Fit

June 15, 2017
Public Health

Weekend Athlete: Should You Have Sex Friday Night?

March 8, 2012
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?