I discovered that some the most anti-vegetarian people are butchers. Therefore, I interviewed and asked 5 local butchers 2 questions taken from our website survey. My purpose was to ascertain who or what would make them change their minds. Those groups, leaders or concepts named would then be the most logical and influential targets of our efforts.
When I asked them if they had ever contemplated become vegetarian, the answer, after the hysterical laugher and arm waving died down, was a resounding NO. The answers to question #2, what reasons would compel you to become a vegetarian, were more varied. Both Fred and Andrew (last names withheld by request) from New Seasons Market both said they could only be persuaded by their doctors’ threat of immanent death. Alice at Albertsons said she would change if the overall vegetarian prices were considerably lower than the costs of a “normal” diet. Hank at Vogets Meats and John at Safeway both cited immediate health problems like diabetes or hypertension as the main reasons to change. Therefore, based on this tiny sampling, but confirmed by our survey, doctors seem to be a leading target to effect change.
A brief scan of the curriculum for doctors at OHSU shows a minimum 6 hour Nutrition requirement.1 Even though doctors in training may receive exposure to diet and nutrition education in other courses, the preparation seems woefully inadequate in view of the scope of the problem. Many older physicians had no formal instruction in this area at all. With this background, it would be highly unlikely that such doctors would recommend a vegetarian diet to their patients, regardless of the benefits.
The medical program of study in Oregon is indirectly financed by the State Legislature thru its budgeting process. Currently, Oregon undergraduates receive $4,000 per year from state funds, not including loans, grants or scholarships.2 This money can be a powerful tool to effect curriculum changes reflecting vegetarian principles. The State Department of Education, Standards and Practices Commission also work with universities to set graduation requirements and course content.3 These are the groups that could be influenced by Oregon citizens to give vegetarian issues a higher profile on college campuses. If student doctors are more exposed to vegetarian beliefs while they are in the formal setting of a university campus, they are more likely to change their minds, and not only undertake a vegetarian life style themselves, but recommend it to their future patients.4
By Shannon Vincent
References
1 http://www.hhs.oregonstate.edu/
4 Gardner, Howard. Changing Minds. Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 2006.
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