This is relatively old news, but the article is well written – Top Psychiatrist Didn’t Report Drug Makers’ Pay
Others in the blogosphere have commented on this problem more completely than I have or will. I personally am outraged that medical academe focuses so greatly on finances and reputation as opposed to focusing on education. Ask most faculty at American Medical Schools and they will tell you that research (especially research dollars) comes first, that clinical dollars run a close second, and teaching becomes an afterthought.
We work in medical schools. The purpose of a school is to teach students. Fortunately, every medical school has those who prioritize student and resident teaching. Few of these dedicated faculty get local recognition and even fewer receive national recognition.
Some quotes that I like
A good teacher is a master of simplification and an enemy of simplism. – Louis A. Berman
The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. – William Arthur Ward
Teaching should be full of ideas instead of stuffed with facts. – Author Unknown
Teaching is not a lost art, but the regard for it is a lost tradition. – Jacques Barzun
Teaching should be such that what is offered is perceived as a valuable gift and not as a hard duty. – Albert Einstein
Our focus on money (through grants and clinical dollars) have produced an unbalanced 3 legged stool. Our focus on money indirectly stimulates our faculty to succumb to inappropriate financial arrangements. Some faculty develop a sense of entitlement.
I find it ironic that the article focuses on psychiatrists. One would think that of all medical professions they would embrace an ethical standard. Unfortunately, they too are susceptible to financial seduction.
As a long time teaching internist, I feel embarrassment and anger. We in academics should hold ourselves to a higher standard. We in academics should demand more of ourselves.
Fortunately, many academicians have become vocal about these soon-to-be pariahs. How can we properly teach students and residents if we do not act in ethical ways?
