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Improper citations by authors
Submit responseTo the Editor: Apatira, et al (1), cite a “forthcoming” work as reference number 3 in their article. An editorial writer for Annals (2) used this same source recently in his references 13 and 18. While expressions of opinion are appropriate, I object to citing as yet unpublished works as sources of fact. Oftentimes even “in print” articles and manuscripts do not contain the same material as that which is submitted. One cannot cross check an unpublished reference. There is no way to retrieve such a reference either. This leaves it in the reader’s court to track down the veracity of the citation, which can be nearly impossible without exact knowledge of the authors, journal, and publication date.
I encourage the editors of Annals to discourage, or even forbid, clearly bogus references such as this.
References
1. Apatira L, Boyd EA, Malvar G, et al. Hope, Truth, and Preparing for Death: Perspectives of Surrogate Decision Makers. Ann Intern Med 2008;149:861-868.
2. Ioannidas JPA. Personalized Genetic Prediction: Too Limited, Too Expensive, or Too Soon? Ann Intern Med 2009;150:139-141.
Conflict of Interest:
None declared
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"Hope, Truth, and Preparing for Death"
Submit responseTo the Editor: Apatira et al in their study “Hope, Truth, and Preparing for Death: Perspectives of Surrogate Decision Makers” (1) provide valuable insights into surrogates’ views of hope and their attitudes towards disclosure of prognostic information. It reveals that oftentimes physicians underestimate family members’ ability to deal with this information, or perhaps are more uncomfortable with these discussions than are surrogates. The phenomenon of counter-transference, in which the physician subconsciously responds or reacts to actual or anticipated behaviors of the patient, may play a role in physician aversion to disclosure. Although medical education in transference/counter-transference phenomena may improve clinicians’ self-awareness and the quality of their therapeutic relationships – including the quality and content of communication, such training is largely is neglected in clinical programs, mental health excepted (2,3).
References
1. Apatira, L. Boyd E.A, Malvar, G., et. al., Hope, Truth, and Preparing for Death: Perspectives of Surrogate Decision Makers. Ann Intern Med. 2008;149:861-868.
2. Schwartz RC, Wendling HM. Countertransference reactions toward specific client populations: a review of empirical literature. Psychol Rep. 2003;92:651-54.
3. Hayes JA, Gelso CJ. Clinical implications of research on countertransference: science informing practice. J Clin Psychol. 2001;57:1041-51.
Conflict of Interest:
None declared