Published by: Ron Anderson on 8/6/2010 2:34:56 PM
Chiseled in stone above The Dallas Morning News' front door are these words: "Build the news upon the rock of truth and righteousness. Conduct it always upon the lines of fairness and integrity. Acknowledge the right of the people to get from the newspaper both sides of every important question."
In the stories published this week about Parkland and UT Southwestern, the reporters may sincerely think they are on the side of justice, however they are sincerely wrong. While it was evident that the reporters lack understanding of graduate medical education and Parkland's policies and procedures, above all the newspaper published an inaccurate account of how Parkland cares for our patients.
It is unconscionable to refer to patients as "fodder." Never have we taken patient care so callously or capriciously. The idea that people are experimented on or suffer for the sake of medical training is absolutely false. It is the respect for human dignity that calls us to this profession, and it is the respect for all who come through our doors that makes the staff and medical professionals at Parkland work tirelessly on their behalf.
I am appalled the newspaper refers to the review of patient care as a "Monday morning quarterback session." No source is noted so I'm left to assume that this is the reporter's characterization. How cold and uncaring. Is the newspaper suggesting we should not review patient care in detail? I assure you Parkland takes such matters very seriously and with the gravity it deserves.
It is irresponsible to create this kind of ill will and distrust in Dallas County's safety net hospital by printing false allegations based on a lawsuit by one disgruntled individual. The stories paint a picture of the entire institution and medical training process based on this litigant's claims after working in just one residency training program. Approximately 80 of UT Southwestern's accredited training programs include rotations at Parkland.
The newspaper was quick to tell readers that we would not release patient care statistics gathered by the American College of Surgeons. However, they failed to inform readers why. We have nothing to hide; the contract with the American College of Surgeons prevents us from distributing it externally.
Parkland is a teaching hospital. We make no apologies for that. Jay Shannon, MD, Parkland's Chief Medical Officer who trained as a resident at Parkland himself, recently said that we do not learn on patients, but rather our patients teach us and improve our ability to practice medicine; we work with our patients, not on them. He made an important distinction.
Patient care is the primary reason we are here and at the heart of everything we do, from how we clean the floor to every one of the thousands of cases of life saving surgery each year. Whether the patient is wealthy or homeless, each is of critical importance. The patient has never been a means to an end.
We must not sacrifice training for fear of the learning process. At a teaching hospital like Parkland, patient care is tied to medical training. There is no substitute for the hands-on experience and personal interaction needed to become a great doctor. How medicine is taught has worked for the individual patient, our community and the advancement of new therapies and procedures for over 100 years at Parkland. For that we are justifiably proud.
At Parkland, we teach students to be lifelong learners so that they know how to find information, how to judge and how to apply that to practice. We teach them how to think, how to solve problems, how to be logical in approach to new problems. We teach them how to work collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams.
However, The Dallas Morning News is creating the perception that something is wrong with medical training by publicizing the criticism of a vocal minority.
Where would the next generation of doctors come from if not for a Parkland hospital and dedicated faculty willing to teach, supervise and directly provide care? Half the doctors in Dallas County trained at Parkland. The whole of the community benefits, not just the patients at Parkland. Academic medical centers are considered the gold standard for patient care where innovation and cutting-edge medicine is performed. Lives are saved through these advancements and, in turn, innovative medicine moves out into the community. This means our obligation is not only to patients today, but also to the patients of tomorrow. This is an obligation we take seriously and a privilege we cherish.
As the inscription on the newspaper's building states, people have a right to both sides of every question. However, recent stories fell short of that standard. If The Dallas Morning News wants to put the entire system of graduate medical education on trial, then they are welcome to truly investigate that issue. However, that means investigating what happens at other academic medical centers. Instead, The Dallas Morning News provided a limited view to readers and in the process demoralized Parkland's patients, essentially exploiting those who are already vulnerable.
It takes a special person, whether a physician, clinical staff or nonclinical support, to give up a more lucrative career at a private health care institution for one that is devoted to the service of others and dedicated to those who are in need and have nowhere else to turn for care.
I am deeply grateful for those who join me in answering a higher calling to serve others, regardless of attack. Each of Parkland’s nearly 9,000 employees, 2,700 physicians and 800 volunteers made a conscious decision to dedicate their work to this venerated public hospital system. It's a sad day when the choice to follow the path of servant leadership is made to feel wrong. Yet we must continue to focus on our mission that we know is right. And in the spirit of the noted inscription, continue to conduct ourselves with fairness and integrity.
This message originally appeared on Parkland's Facebook page - posted 8/4/10 - check it out!