Brenda, Sorry to hear you had such a terrible day. It is difficult to work
with managers and others who just don't "get it." Sometimes we IBCLCs feel
so all alone.
I have a few comments for you.
You said: Two days before this meeting, the formula company representatives
came in with a truckload of food and a Powerpoint presentation on the
benefits of DHA supplementation (I saw the handouts and a paper that said
Mead Johnson paid over $2000 for this talk, including a $500 honorarium for
the speaker). I did not attend, as I never want to align myself with these
marketers.
It is all right to attend these meetings, as far as the IBLCE is concerned.
In fact, it may be a good idea so that you find out what the rep is telling
the nurses. You may be able to add some information. Take notes so
that you can remember exactly what the rep says. I would never accept any
food,drink or gifts at these meetings, but attendance is all right.
You said: On my agenda of ideas and items of discussion, I put down that I
wanted to discuss the hazards of allowing formula company reps onto our
floors if we are trying to get staff to participate more in breastfeeding
support for our patients, this undermines our efforts.
Many hospitals have rules about limiting formula reps on the floors. They
do not allow them "free rein" but do allow them to meet with one person in
order
to share their information. Check to see what kind of policy your hospital
has about
drug representatives. Formula representatives should follow this policy as
well.
You said: I am sure all of you on this list can get an idea of what I said,
i.e. the marketing
code, the dangers of aligning myself as a professional LC with formula
company reps, why the DHA info was skewed, etc.
Would your manager allow you to give an in-service about the IBLCE Code of
Ethics and the tenets you follow in your practice? Could you prepare a talk
about the differences in breast milk and formula?
You said: To make a VERY long story short, this evidently opened up a can of
worms
that I wasn't expecting. My boss became extremely defensive and
angry,accused me of being a "Nazi", and told me that not only does she
expect the LCs to be supportive of the Mead Johnson reps coming in with
their education, that she expects me to attend all of the lectures as part
of
my job.
Your manager's behavior was unprofessional. This type of "Nazi" comment is
uncalled for, and you may want to write down this discussion and share it
with the CNO of your hospital. There have been many comments about the use
of the word "nazi" when discussing an IBCLC on Lactnet, along with helpful
ideas for you to include if you decide to write down and share your
manager's comments and how you felt.
You said: Please let me know what you think of this situation - I am really
upset and do not want to attend these info sessions. In fact, I will refuse.
Do I have any recourse on this issue with the code of ethics? This is the
worst day I have ever had as an LC, and I've been doing this for over 10
years.
The Code of Ethics does not say you cannot attend formula company lectures
if not attending would cause you to lose your job. If you would prefer not
to attend, after a few days, ask your manager for a time to sit down and
discuss how you felt about her comments, and tell her that you would prefer
not to attend. Explain why.
Hopefully she will reconsider her comments. If she continues to say that it
is part of your job to attend, then you will have to decide for yourself
what you want to do. I do not believe that the IBLCE would feel attendance
is a violation of our Code.
Sincerely,
Ann Calandro, BSN,RNC, IBCLC
Chair, IBLCE Ethics and Discipline Committee
Thanks,
Brenda P., BS, IBCLC
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