The physician shortage and terrorism

Richard Reece tells us what’s on his mind:

Q: What’s wrong with foreign-trained doctors coming to America?

A: Nothing. The AMA says foreign citizens or Americans graduates of foreign medical schools (about 20% of the total) account for 229,000 of the 902,000 physicians practicing in the U.S. That’s 25% compared to 42% of foreign-graduates practicing in the U.K.

Q: So what’s your problem?

A: The problem with physicians linked to terrorism is psychological. It paints Muslim physicians with a broad brush as potential terrorists, as persons to be treated with suspicion among fellow workers and patients.

I believe Khaled Hamid, a St.Louis-based asthma and allergy specialist, who said of physician-links to terrorism, “We’re hurt as Muslims and as physicians who believe life is sacred and must be protected.”