Quote:
Originally Posted by bpcyclist
You make some excellent points on both fronts, WC, as usual, and I freely admit to having been guilty of once mentioning where my pdoc trained (I also admit to having done some of my own training there as well, which I don't believe I have ever mentiond before, but full disclosure, FWIW).
That said, I have thought a lot about why people, patients, authors, physicians and psychologists, etc., sometimes seem hung up on the H-word in this milieu and in particular, with this specific specialty. I can tell you, having been in two other major specialties at other schools, that you do not really hear people refer to that Boston institution with other specialties the way you do with psychiatry. Overalll hospital quality, you often hear Mayo Clinic. Peds Surgery--CHOP in Philly. Cancer, often MD Anderson, maybe Sloan Kettering. So on. Obviously, there are lots and lots of other terrific places, though. Tons of them, all over the place. The University of Iowa, for example has super-elite ENT and Ortho programs and has forever. Everyone who knows these fileds knows this.
When it comes to psychiatry, though the Harvard program--the entire, massive, spread-out thing--has really been the clear market leader for decades. By a long shot. It has kind of been in its own league, when you just look at overall contribution to specialty over time. I think that impact has really been felt over time and I certainly do agree that people have gotten hung up on it.
Good for you for pointing this out.
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I want to thank you for expressing your personal opinion.
I'd like to get back to my point and then cite some facts.
I was specifically referring to the fact that I often see members who have Harvard-Affiliated pdocs assert this in their comments as though this validates the member's opinion and/or validates the treatment protocol of their very special pdoc, as in, there cannot be a better medical opinion and/or treatment.
I think it's quite clear that anyone who says or writes "my Harvard pdoc"....
is doing so to assert the "belief" that his/her pdoc is "superior."
Members don't assert "my pdoc at my rural town's hospital"...
What is the purpose for a member to preface their comment with "my Harvard pdoc"...? I think this is to imply that s/he is receiving superior care/treatment, over and above anyone receiving care from a non-Harvard pdoc.
I live in an area where I am exposed to a huge number of physicians from both Harvard and Duke. My very best, most intelligent and most patient-friendly physicians are affiliated with neither.
In response to bpcyclists personal opinion, I'd like to bring some balance into this discussion by moving away from personal opinions by presenting some very important facts.
As people boast of Harvard doctors, it's critical to keep in mind: "Harvard-Affiliated" means different things to different people. Not everyone is impressed, for a variety of reasons. Not all goes well at Harvard. Harvard and "Outstanding" Harvard-Affiliated psychiatrists/researchers have been involved in the biggest scandal, thus far in history, involving Psychiatric Pediatric research and care.
From our own DocJohn:
J&J, Biederman Worked Toward Promotion of Pediatric Bipolar
Others:
Joseph Biederman - The New York Times
Please note a few articles mention the highly-esteemed Harvard psychiatrist Biederman (above link)
Harvard Psychiatrists Disciplined for Conflicts of Interest - Alliance for Human Research Protection
This was a HUGE scandal. Psychiatrists were at Harvard. The Pediatric Center funded by an affiliated drug company was constructed at Harvard.
Not only was there disregard for the Hippocratic Oath and professional ethics, there was deception and fraud.
IF YOU CARE ABOUT PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH DONE ON CHILDREN, look into this scandal (at Harvard).
It's inaccurate to make blanket statements about any Medical School Affiliation. There is a gray area at every institution.
I am simply saying I agree with Christina and with my original point, many great doctors may be Harvard affiliated and just as many are affiliated elsewhere. To some, especially those whose children were used for bogus studies and/or treated at Harvard with protocols at that time, the references to "Harvard-Affiliated "does not elicit any positive feelings/memories.
Again, Harvard-Affiliated in no way means "superior."
I am interested in members feeling as though their pdocs and their treatment are as worthy as anyone else's. Everyone deserves validation.
Thank you for reading.
