7 Case study M
There have been several high-profile cases involving doctors who have been found guilty of plagiarism, where the consequences were severe
ary was in her F2 year and was beginning to think about what specialty she wanted to apply for. She did some research and became aware that she needed
to submit an electronic application through a portal, which included a standard application form and CV-based questions. She updated her CV and went on holiday with friends. When Mary returned she had lots of oncalls to complete, so
forgot to check when the deadline for the submission of her application was. When she finally remembered, the application deadline was only a few days away, but she was working lates both days. Mary began to panic, but then she remembered that her
house mate Dave had applied the previous year, and he had given her a copy of his form at the time. By coincidence Mary wanted to apply for the same specialty, and Dave got his first choice last year. Worried about running out of time and not contemplating the consequences, Mary used Dave’s application form and got it in before the submission deadline. In January, while Mary was waiting to hear whether or
not she had been shortlisted, she was contacted by her educational supervisor who asked her to come and see him. When Mary arrived her supervisor presented her with a copy
of her application, and Dave’s application from the previous year. Mary was accused of plagiarism. Most colleges and deaneries use anti-plagiarism software to catch out doctors who try to pass off others’ work as their own. MPS is aware of a number of doctors who have been caught out by this software on a number of occasions. This issue is also highlighted by the NHS Medical Careers website: visit:
www.medicalcareers.nhs.uk/postgraduate_ doctors/pg_doctors/
application_to_specialty.aspx.
who have been found guilty of plagiarism, where the consequences were severe. For example, one case involved a high-profile TV psychiatrist who was suspended by the GMC for three months in 2008 after admitting plagiarism. His fitness to practise was found impaired by reason of misconduct; his behaviour was found to have fallen below the standards the public was entitled to expect from doctors and to have undermined public confidence in the profession. The doctor admitted plagiarising four research papers for his book, From the Edge of the Couch. He also admitted copying the work of two foreign academics in five articles he wrote for publications, including the British Medical Journal and The Independent. More recently a GP was
found guilty of plagiarism at a fitness to practise hearing at the GMC. This case involved a doctor who took a “Teaching the Teachers” course in 2008. The allegations were that the doctor copied extensive sections of another doctor’s case study, which was provided to him during the appraisals process, and submitted this as part of his own coursework. The doctor was suspended for six months. Never pass off anyone
else’s work as your own. If you do use other people’s work for reference purposes ensure that it is properly attributed and identify any direct quotes appropriately using quotation marks. Ensure you are familiar with local policies and guidelines in relation to referencing academic work. If in doubt, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Dr Jayne Molodynski trained as an anaesthetist and now works as a medicolegal adviser in Leeds.
Outcome Mary risked her application not being accepted and losing an opportunity to take up a specialty post. Furthermore, she could have faced disciplinary action by the trust and a referral to the GMC for breaching Good Medical Practice. Fortunately, Mary contacted MPS and the BMA in time for
advice. Following a conversation with an medicolegal adviser she admitted what she had done. If she had tried to cover it up, it would have made the situation much worse. Mary apologised and demonstrated insight into the seriousness of her actions. She acknowledged that she had not taken into account the effect her actions could have had on the public’s perception of the medical profession. Although Mary did not have her application accepted, she
did manage to reapply and get a training post the following year. Mary put her career in jeopardy just to save a little time – was it worth it?
MEDICOETHICAL FEATURE
NEW DOCTOR | VOLUME 4 | ISSUE 2 | 2011 | UNITED KINGDOM
www.mps.org.uk
© CORBIS PHOTOS
CATHERINE YEULET/
ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
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