Physician Leadership Journal
The Catholic Church and Its Hospitals
This SoundPractice episode examines the role of bishops and ERDs in shaping Catholic healthcare policies, revealing impacts on patient care, particularly in reproductive and end-of-life situations. The discussion also covers the Catholic health system's mission fidelity.
November/December 2024 Vol. 11, No. 6 pp. 44–48 DOI: 10.55834/plj.5798161701
Abstract
In this conversation from a recent episode of SoundPractice, the discussion focuses on Patricia Gabow’s book *The Catholic Church and Its Hospitals: A Marriage Made in Heaven?*. We delve into the role of bishops and Ethical and Religious Directives (ERDs) in shaping policies within the Catholic health system. We reveal surprising statistics about the reach and influence of Catholic healthcare and discuss the implications for patient care and physician understanding, especially regarding reproductive and end-of-life care. Gabow’s book also addresses considerations for the Catholic health system’s return to mission fidelity.
