Why private equity is furious over a paper in a dermatology journal: The New York Times

“Early this month, a respected medical journal published a research paper on its website that analyzed the effects of a business trend roiling the field of dermatology: the rapid entrance of private equity firms into the specialty by buying and running practices around the country,” Katie Hafner wrote over at The New York Times “Eight days later, after an outcry from private equity executives and dermatologists associated with private equity firms, the editor of the publication removed the paper from the site. No reason was given. Furor over the publication and subsequent removal of the article has deepened a rift in the field over what some see as the ‘corporatization’ of dermatology and other areas of medicine.   The paper was published on the website of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology on Oct. 5, posted along with numerous other articles labeled ‘In Press Accepted Manuscript.’ Most articles with this designation eventually appear in a print edition of the journal; some remain online.   Dr. Dirk Elston, the journal’s editor, said in an email that he replaced the article with a notice of ‘temporary removal’ after receiving multiple calls and emails ‘expressing concerns about the accuracy of a few parts’ of the article. On Wednesday, nearly two weeks after removing the article, Dr. Elston told the authors they had a choice: They could correct ‘factual errors’ or retract the paper. The authors maintain that the article does not contain any factual errors and that several of the corrections requested had to do with protecting the reputation of the specialty and the leaders of the American Academy of Dermatology, the association that publishes the journal. Later on Wednesday, they submitted some revisions.” Katie Hafner,“Why Private Equity Is Furious Over a Paper in a Dermatology Journal,” The New York Times.