Although I have not read all of the posts and thread leading to Carol
Brussell's last post, I have this to say:

Professional disagreement and lively discussion is generally healthy for all
concerned, because it forces us to look beyond personal beliefs to the
evidence behind those beliefs. Personal attacks are inappropriate, period.
Some of us may take a professional challenge personally, because we have
invested much time, energy, thought, and research into a particular
viewpoint or practice.

When our pet theories of the world are challenged (as mine are frequently
when I lecture or teach), we need to take a deep breath, examine the
challenge carefully, tease out whether it was a personal attack (usually
not), and prepare a studied, professional response. In my own life, this
practice has resulted in finding more evidence to bolster my beliefs
(frequently), re-think my beliefs (sometimes), or expand my knowledge
(often.) Occasionally I've even said "I was wrong on XXXX issue."

I can take a professional challenge to my professional opinion. I don't even
mind being criticized for taking an unpopular, new, or "politically
incorrect" position on a clinical issue.  However, I'm insulted and
indignant when someone blows me off cause I'm short, fifty-something,
female, from Ohio, or some other non-professional characteristic that is
irrelevant to the professional issue.

(And besides, I'm not even "from" Ohio - I just live here now.)

Linda J. Smith, BSE, FACCE, IBCLC
Bright Future Lactation Resource Centre
Dayton, OH USA
http://www.bflrc.com

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