BMJ 1995;311:872-873 (30 September)

Letters

Problems of hierarchy are not confined to nursing

EDITOR,--The correspondence between M Barton1 and Robert L Hay2 clearly illustrates the difficulties that doctors and nurses have when trying to understand one another's changing professions. Both professions will continue to face profound changes in the way they practise. Change is always difficult and provides a rich environment for discontent and suspicion. It is only by trying to understand the pressures on each other's professions that we can avoid destructive bickering and conflict, which would weaken the public's confidence in our professionalism. Two articles attempted to keep the dialogue open in a spirit of mutual respect.3 4

Hay singles out poor research in nursing, male leadership, and incomprehensible management style for particular criticism.2 Perhaps the medical profession should put its own house in order before lecturing others. The stereotype of a domineering (usually male) consultant encouraging his registrar to "publish or perish," regardless of the quality of the research, still has . . . [Full text of this article]


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Relevant Article

A nurse's place is at the bedside
M Barton
BMJ 1995 311: 325. [Extract] [Full Text]




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