unethical conduct

[cptcaver]

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I must withdraw this post. Thanks for the previous replies.

 

[stoic]

My first thought would be to talk to the resident about your concerns and see where that gets you. If that doesn't work, then I'd go to the PI... after that, I suppose you could go to the department head if you had to.

Your in a crappy situation. Let us know what you do and how it turns out.

Good luck,
Dave

 

[cptcaver]

thanks for the info. I have talked to one of the residents and he was pretty tore up about the whole thing. I have also spoken with one of the other docs. He was pretty appauled also. The bad thing is, the DME is also the department head.

 

[Anasazi23]

This basically leaves us to do the project, get bumped out of principal investigator, and let her get a free publication out of it. We would like to get out of doing the project all together, but the DME is basically bully-ing us into finishing the paper.

There's no way I would allow this to happen. I'd just be completely straight-up and tell the DME...."We're doing the work on this paper....either we get our names on it, or she does it entirely." That's it. You'll get your letters of rec...don't worry.

Best of luck

 

[daveyboy]

Does anyone have a good idea about how to "gracefully" get out of a research project? This project was started by me and my wife and has been "given" to a resident who needs a research project for the program requirements. She has not done anything to contribute to the project. This basically leaves us to do the project, get bumped out of principal investigator, and let her get a free publication out of it. We would like to get out of doing the project all together, but the DME is basically bully-ing us into finishing the paper. Technically it is unethical for someone to be listed on a paper that has not contributed to it in anyway. We are afraid of what will happen if we just tell the DME we are not going to do the paper. Most likely this will result in us having a miserable experience for our final year of school, not to mention bad letters of recommendation. I would appreciate any ideas that could be sent my way.

As the other posters have said, you are in an unfortunate situation. As tempting as it may to tell this DME you are not going to do the paper, or to possibly report him to an authority, I would suggest you avoid a direct conflict and use "political finesse". As distasteful as that may sound, it will save you a whole lot of grief. At best you may get this guy in a little bit of trouble, but it is more likely that nothing much will happen. Either way, you will have to go through the arduous process of formally complaining, and then trying to prove that complaint before an ethics board (likely made up by this persons colleagues). You will also make a DME your enemy, which will result in a lot more than just a crappy last year and a bad letter of rec.

 

[Robz]

Hmmmmmmmmm. Your getting bumped from finishing the project AND your names are not going to appear on it AND the person that didn't do the work is going to get credit...that all blows monkey parts.

I'd try and talk it out with the resident get them to do the work and pull their weight. Second I'd want my names on the paper for the work I did accomplish. Third, if I felt I was getting screwed and the DME was going to put the screws on me anyways....I would find ways of slowing work and procrastinating on it. It would severly drop on my priority list and I'd start concentrating on others things. I don't know the pressure your under and what situation your in but I'd also bring this ethical concern up to the resident in question as well. Its best to work together for the best results...otherwise its going to be nasty but I stand by sticking by your ethical guns.

 

[Aaron Earles]

cptcaver,

Sorry that has happened to you. I have had a couple of acquaintances that has happened to, but not in the medical realm. Let us know how it turns out. Good luck to you and your wife.

Aaron

 

[cooldreams]

did you get an email from the dme telling you so?? id try to get some evidence to all that you have said, and use it as blackmail in some form or another.. 🙂

hehe its always a nice thing to have a dme(read ace) up your sleeve....... 😎