Publication of Mr Thoma’s miserable attempt at humour1 represents either an unfortunate printing error or a regrettable and worrisome lapse in Canadian Family Physician’s editorial judgment. Rarely have we seen such a distasteful confluence of grade-school raunchiness and thinly veiled misogyny between the covers of a supposedly reputable medical journal.
To suggest that crass juvenile observations like “week-old tampons are not what get me up in the morning” even remotely approach acceptable standards for a peer-reviewed publication would be like suggesting Mr Thoma demonstrates even a beginner’s understanding of compassionate patient-centred care.
To counter every pathetic instance of misinterpretation, failed learning, social ineptitude, and sexually abusive innuendo would be to accord this author’s “reflection” more time and attention than it deserves. I can only hope that he is sincere in his decision to forego a career in family medicine, thereby sparing countless future female patients the agony of having to deal with his apparent Neanderthal tendencies. I do worry, however, about what he will be thinking as he looks into the eyes of his ophthalmology patients.
- Copyright© the College of Family Physicians of Canada
Reference
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