Beliefs contribute to miscommunication between doctors and patients

This letter was sent to ST Forum but was not published.

The Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) is concerned that some women seem to have negative experiences with doctors when it comes to 'sexual and reproductive healthcare'. ("Judgmental attitudes towards sex can affect healthcare", 20 August) 

It is a doctor's responsibility to know our medical history and even our lifestyle before providing professional advice and help, especially when it comes to General Gynaecology services. As a patient, we cooperate with the doctor and trust his professionalism for the betterment of our health. 

In her letter, Ms Tan claimed that 'one unmarried woman reported multiple negative experiences with doctors when seeking reproductive healthcare. One doctor lectured her on abstinence from sexual activity'. It is not known of the woman's condition that prompted the doctor to give a medically sound advice.  A gentle advice for the health benefit of this woman may have been misconstrued as 'lecture'. She could be resistant to this call for a change in lifestyle. 

If I'm the patient who is given this advice, I would be very grateful to this doctor because he could have saved my life. One way to prevent HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection is by not engaging in casual sex. No contraceptive gives one hundred percent protection from HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. 

Being a single woman, my confidence comes from my belief in chastity before marriage and faithfulness within marriage. By having sex with someone who isn't committed to me for life, I would be doing injustice to myself and to my own worth. Our beliefs on certain matters do influence how we perceive the communication that goes on between doctors and patients.      

In my encounters with doctors, I have not known any who allow his personal beliefs to influence his professional conduct. In fact, I have met many doctors who are passionate about their work and truly concerned about their patients. They go beyond their call of duty to serve them. As a patient, we need to trust our doctors and clarify with them when we have doubts. Where there is truly professional misconduct, complaints can be lodged at the Singapore Medical Council.