April 23, 2004
I write to request retraction of the letter from me that was published in Medscape General Medicine.[1] I understand that the letter has already been removed as per my request.
I understand from our conversations that a technical editorial error occurred during transition of personnel that resulted in the publication of an unauthorized letter. I hope that this kind of problem does not recur. This has caused me embarrassment. I also wish to extend a formal apology to the National College of Naturopathic Medicine; its president, Dr. Keppler; and its students, faculty, staff, and alumni related to the publication of this erroneously published correspondence that was in fact only my personal correspondence with Dr. Atwood that was not intended for a larger readership. I also request that Medscape offer an appropriate apology.
To help transform this adversity into opportunity, I call for collaboration and understanding. It is easier to discount than account for, easier to find fault than to understand. The value of alternative medicine should neither be shortchanged nor facilely discounted as anecdotal or suspect; similarly, it should not be uncritically adopted. Spending our energies to benefit from the best of both worlds by a more comprehensive and integrative medicine that best serves the public is a strategy to embrace. That is indeed a major step in raising the bar and keeping it high.
Sincerely yours,
Dennis A. Robbins, PhD, MPH
Phoenix, AZ 85028
References
- 1. Robbins DA. Keeping the Bar High in Medicine in the United States. Medscape General Medicine. 2004; 6 (1). Available at: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/470769 Accessed May 3, 2004. [Google Scholar]
