The Velveteen Rabbit Of Pediatrics.

Recently, I have been following the musings of "Dr. Scott" on"Just Practicing". He is a newbie Pediatrician-blogger (we're also known as "fleas") from the Mississippi Gulf Coast who has been putting up some very good stuff on his Katrina experience.

Today, in a post entitled "The Secret Lives of Pediatricians", he addressed the first big decision a doctor-blogger has to make . . . to blog under your own name or not? In my opinion, those who don't use their own names have a great deal more freedom to speak their mind . . . and, because they don't have to worry about offending anybody, can converse more openly on a wider variety of topics.

I envy them that freedom. Because believe me, as "blunt" as I've been on this blog . . . particularly about the medical and legal institutions (on both the state and federal levels) that I believe have sold out an entire generation of young physicians . . . I could be MUCH blunter.

From "Dr. Scott": Some medical bloggers, such as Flea or Dr. Dork, prefer to stay secretive. Their nom de plumes write passionate about controversial issues, or reveal much about the men behind the facade. Others, such as Dr. Bryan Vartabedian at Parenting Solved, proudly post as their professional personae (yes, much like Dork, I like alliteration), preferring to speak with a calm, informative voice to the layperson. And some, such as Dr. Mary Johnson at Dr. J's HouseCalls, disregard these rules entirely, with blogs so personal and pointed they simply wouldn't work anonymously.

I have my own category. My blog "works". They like me? They really like me?

I posted a response in his comments section. I'd like to share it here:

Wow. I'm honored to lead a category. I would like to thank the Academy . . .

I posted my thoughts & reasonings on this subject not long ago so I won't reiterate it all here. I'm fairly certain I'm unique in the doctor-blogosphere in that I'm in it to extract "justice" from a corrupt legal system (as current headlines demonstrate, we in NC have corner on the market) that allowed me to be pounded into the ground for doing the right thing. It's unacceptable.

I suppose that my primary motivation for "going bare" into the ether is that I am so disgusted with the profession that I am thisclose to leaving it.

That's a real shame because I'm very, very good at what I do, and at one point I lived and breathed for Pediatrics.

If my experience . . . and whatever may evolve from it . . . puts some heat under some seats . . . wakes people up . . . and changes the environment for the better . . . if it prevents even one Ped from getting to the point that they would leave, then I've accomplished something for the kids:)

I realize I push the envelope sometimes . . . especially in some of my more cantankerous exchanges with local "citizen journalist" bloggers (we have a whole subculture in the Greensboro NC area). I fret about it. But I am not perfect, the world is not a wholesome place, and I've always felt that the best example for a child was to first and foremost be honest.

The irony is that when I write a book (and tell the stories I can't when I blog), I will probably change the names (including my own) to protect the guilty.

There's one more thing I forgot to say. While practicing in Asheboro and elsewhere afterwards, I've had many, many parents tell me that they appreciated my forthright manner . . . and inclination to "tell it like it is". They appreciated the honesty.

They crave it. Of course, it's what got me into trouble at Randolph Hospital. Honesty was not the best policy if I wanted to keep my job. (Of course, later on, honesty under Oath was not the policy Bob Morrison and Steve Eblin practiced in litigation).

One Mother told me that I was "The Velveteen Rabbit" of Pediatrics.

I was "real";-)