On July 7th, 2015, I cross-posted an article from “Hope Amantine,” a pseudoanonymous surgeon who previously blogged at Simple Country Surgeon: “A lesson in the OR that prepared this doctor to be a surgeon.”
On July 8th, 2015, 11 a.m. Eastern, I was notified by an editor at MedPage Today about the controversy questioning the truthfulness of the story.
I then reached out to “Hope,” asking whether her story was fictional or not. I received her reply at 12:38 p.m. Eastern, and added her addendum to the story.
The story was initially presented as non-fiction, then amended to fiction after criticism. I don’t have any further explanation for the change, other than the author’s addendum, nor do I know whether the story is really true or not.
Of note, “Hope” has since deleted her blog and Twitter account.
After consideration of your feedback on Twitter, consultation with the MedPage Today editorial team, and analysis by “Orac” at Respectful Insolance, and Peter Lipson and Janet D. Stemwedel at Forbes, I removed the story from the website.
I apologize for publishing the story, and will obviously learn from this experience. Thank you for your continued readership and I look forward to reading your constructive suggestions in the comments below.
Update:
Insight from Ivan Oransky, global editorial director, MedPage Today.
