Publish or Perish - part 2

The other day, I began the Publish or Perish blog series. In the next few days, I hope to bring you some examples of the biases and corrupting influences that occur in the name of research. Keep in mind that these examples are not meant to put a black mark on all researchers because many do a fine job indeed. And without research there would be no medical advances. However, that does not mean there are no problems and I want to give you some insights into those.

I once worked with a physician (we'll call him Dr. X) who did research in a specific area and with a specific population. This physician was and still is very ambitious and was set on becoming the top researcher in his field. He had dreams of multi-million dollar grants, articles being published in the New England Journal of Medicine, and the like. One day, the hospital hired another physician who had similar research interests and specialty knowledge in the same area. Dr. X did not take very kindly to this and arranged a meeting in his office. Dr. X informed me that he told the new doctor (I'm cleaning this up): "Do not mess with me and interfere with my research. Get involved in something different or I will destroy you." Having known Dr. X for awhile, I do not doubt that he said these words. The other doctor meekly went away and never interfered with Dr. X's work. Dr. X is now becoming more and more well-known and is meeting his ambitious goals. But at what cost? I think this example shows how power can be corrupting. If this was really all about research and helping patients, there would not be a problem collaborating with another researcher in the same institution. Sometimes, however, egos get in the way. Click here for the next post.