Over a year has passed since I had an uncomfortable experience at work through trying to encourage transparency regarding pharmaceutical sponsored medical education.
Over that period of time, despite wider discussion, I am not sure that very much progress has been made, and for this reason I think it would be helpful to share my experience.
I have for several years now collected examples of sponsored medical education across the UK. This was my individual effort to aid general transparency. The pinterest board automatically generates a tweet of new posts.
The following sponsored education was circulated in August 2013 by Dr Rhona Morrison, Associate Medical Director of NHS Forth Valley to medical staff. I posted the flyer on the pinterest board as I have done with all other examples of sponsored medical education that came my way.
A few weeks later I received an undated and unsigned letter from the Associate Medical Director which formally expressed concerns that my “behaviour” had been “offensive and unprofessional”. This letter summoned me to a meeting with her colleague, Medical Director, Dr Peter Murdoch and another senior colleague, Kathy O’Neill, General Manager. I was also encouraged in this letter to “reflect on my behaviour”.
We must stand up to management when they classify ““behaviour” as “offensive and unprofessional”. It usually means that it is challenging systems, often appropriately; and that rather than address the points raised they wish to bully you into silence.
Reblogged this on Chrys Muirhead .