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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Glydin on October 28, 2005, at 22:41:52
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051024/msgs/572611.html
In the past, do I remember you requesting a poster change their posting ID due to using a "Dr." title?
Posted by rjlockhart98 on October 28, 2005, at 23:48:54
In reply to Use of title in ID's, posted by Glydin on October 28, 2005, at 22:41:52
Well sure was a enthusiastic poster, or doctor.. usally doctors evauluate the most suitable antidepressant not really rejoice about it.
lets just say take the "dr" off vijoy.
For somereason i get mixed up with Declan.
Dont ask...
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 29, 2005, at 1:59:37
In reply to Use of title in ID's, posted by Glydin on October 28, 2005, at 22:41:52
> In the past, do I remember you requesting a poster change their posting ID due to using a "Dr." title?
What I do is ask them to contact me:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20050822/msgs/558898.html
He did, and I decided to let him keep the "Dr." But don't take this to mean that I'm certifying that he's a doctor.
Bob
Posted by Glydin on October 29, 2005, at 18:41:20
In reply to Re: Use of title in ID's, posted by Dr. Bob on October 29, 2005, at 1:59:37
Just as my input, I think given the nature and subject matter of this board, I don't feel having a medical title in posting ID is a good idea. Whether a person possesses an actually doctorate isn’t the point. If folks want to disclose that IN a post, I guess it’s up to them, but I think using it in an ID is confusing. I feel that way in the use of ANY medical related title as an ID on this board.If someone has an ID of “icandance” (I made that up and hope it isn’t one someone uses), it may or may not be true but it does not have the gravity of an ID containing “Dr.”. As a really FAR, FAR stretch, I think some liability issues could arise. At best, there may be some ethical thoughts to consider.
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 29, 2005, at 20:06:51
In reply to Re: Use of title in ID's - my input, posted by Glydin on October 29, 2005, at 18:41:20
> As a really FAR, FAR stretch, I think some liability issues could arise. At best, there may be some ethical thoughts to consider.
Thanks for posting. What sort of liability or ethical issues?
Bob
Posted by Glydin on October 29, 2005, at 23:42:49
In reply to Re: Use of title in ID's - my input, posted by Dr. Bob on October 29, 2005, at 20:06:51
I do think that there can be assumptions made from titles in ID’s. We have a smart bunch of folks here and I don’t mean to insult the good senses of the community. Liability is probably a far stretch, as I would hope people licensed in a profession are aware of their scope of practice and would not overstep those boundaries when giving knowledge, advice, and direction. There is a lot of advice and direction posted on this board.
I can think of one situation where a poster did have a “Dr.” ID and that poster did give some information that was of the nature of: “Contact me, I have the answer to your problems…”. I believe that poster was asked to change their ID and did so after being asked.
From an ethical standpoint, I’m speaking of “truth in advertising” as a personal responsibility. Perhaps that’s an unrealistic expectation on a public board. The focus of this board is health related – a “Dr.” or other medical title would have me believe a person was the “real deal”, but maybe that would just be me. I think titles in ID’s at best could be a little confusing and at worse, deceptive. Personally, I just have a problem with it mainly due to the assumptions that could be made.
Posted by Jen Star on October 30, 2005, at 1:04:09
In reply to Re: Use of title in ID's - my input, posted by Glydin on October 29, 2005, at 23:42:49
hi all,
I think we as consumers of this board need to be wary of "doctors" or other "experts" who offer advice. Anyone could post here offering any kinds of advice, and in fact, they often do! It's up to us to determine how and when to use that information. Caveat emptor, right? Especially here, where it's impossible to measure someone's credentials.I would not automatically assume that someone who uses the title "Dr." IS a medical doctor. It could be like "Dr. Dre" or "Dr. Pepper" or something (ha) -- but you get what I mean? Sometimes just a cutesy name?
Or maybe the person has a PhD in botany or ancient Greek literature. Or maybe the person is a scammer trying to reel in a few wide-eyed admirers. Or maybe the person really IS a medical doctor, albeit one who does not write with the grammar skills one would typically think to be commensurate with a medical degree and the desire to influence others' decisions...
But I digress. I'm only trying to make the point that the burden is on us as readers and consumers to analyze posts critically and be careful not to take things at face value here, unless we have a way to verify the veracity of claims.
That's just my opinion...I know others may differ! Thanks for listening. And read carefully. :)
JenStar
Posted by Glydin on October 30, 2005, at 7:37:34
In reply to Re: Use of title in ID's - my input » Glydin, posted by Jen Star on October 30, 2005, at 1:04:09
> But I digress. I'm only trying to make the point that the burden is on us as readers and consumers to analyze posts critically and be careful not to take things at face value here, unless we have a way to verify the veracity of claims.
~~~ I agree and I think you are absolutely correct. I just think it's muddies the waters in a place where confusion can be an issue and it could be misleading.I also think it's tuned into a personal pet peeve of mine and I need to get over it.
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 30, 2005, at 9:13:31
In reply to Re: Use of title in ID's - my input, posted by Glydin on October 29, 2005, at 23:42:49
> From an ethical standpoint, I’m speaking of “truth in advertising” as a personal responsibility. Perhaps that’s an unrealistic expectation on a public board. The focus of this board is health related – a “Dr.” or other medical title would have me believe a person was the “real deal”, but maybe that would just be me. I think titles in ID’s at best could be a little confusing and at worse, deceptive.
>
> Glydin> Or maybe the person really IS a medical doctor, albeit one who does not write with the grammar skills one would typically think to be commensurate with a medical degree and the desire to influence others' decisions...
>
> JenStarRight, it wouldn't be deceptive if they really were a medical doctor, right?
Bob
Posted by Glydin on October 30, 2005, at 9:41:59
In reply to Re: Use of title in ID's - my input, posted by Dr. Bob on October 30, 2005, at 9:13:31
True. I do think that could be a slippery slope for the poster if a person posted and they were IDing themselves as a medical doctor. Of course, that would be their decision. I think of these boards as more a peer support and discussion situation. There are a lot of varied backgrounds found here. We have had board guests and their ID’s reflect that – I see no problem with that.
I note it’s been a long time since you inputted to specific medical questions.
Posted by Tamar on October 31, 2005, at 4:46:11
In reply to Re: Use of title in ID's - my input » Dr. Bob, posted by Glydin on October 30, 2005, at 9:41:59
My two cents…
I tend to think that a username with a professional title can convey professional status and authority that isn’t particularly appropriate here unless perhaps the user is a guest expert. If a medical doctor wishes to provide professional support online, there are appropriate places for that. I’m just not sure this is one of them. If a medical doctor wishes to be involved with this community as an 'ordinary' poster, I think it’s more appropriate *not* to introduce him/herself with a username that includes the title Dr.
I have no problem with someone saying in a post, “Well, I’m a medical doctor and in my experience xyz,” just as I have no problem with someone saying, “Well, I have a PhD in millimeter wave physics and research seems to show abc.”
I agree with JenStar that as readers we have a responsibility to be careful about our assumptions. But on the other hand I teach Uni and I know what a challenge it is to get students to think critically, and most of them aren’t mentally ill. If some posters here are mentally ill and don’t have a university education, they could be quite vulnerable to the claims of anyone who sets him/herself up as an authority. So I think that’s the main ethical issue.
Another ethical issue might be that there’s no requirement here to register an interest. If someone claims professional authority and writes in favour of a particular drug (for example) there’s no way of knowing if they have a vested interest in that drug. That could be true of other (non-medical) discussions, but since healthcare is of particular concern here, I think it’s particularly relevant.
Please understand I’m talking in principle here; I haven’t seen any posts by anyone with a professional title in their username (except of course Dr Bob, and I think that’s different because he’s not an 'ordinary' poster).
Tamar
Posted by Jen Star on October 31, 2005, at 12:43:08
In reply to Re: Use of title in ID's - my input » Jen Star, posted by Glydin on October 30, 2005, at 7:37:34
Well, I agree with you, too! I wish people would NOT use titles that are ambiguous, and I do think it's possible that some readers could get "fooled" into thinking someone is something they are not. I'm sure it happens all the time with infomercials & commercials on the web. I'm sure it's happened to me.
Even though I believe the burden is on us, I still wish other people would take care not to create any undue confusion. It would make things a whole heck of a lot easier!
(sometimes it sucks to have to always be the suspicious consumer!)
take care,
JenStar
Posted by Jen Star on October 31, 2005, at 12:48:56
In reply to Re: Use of title in ID's - my input, posted by Dr. Bob on October 30, 2005, at 9:13:31
no, it wouldn't be deceptive.
And I suppose that it's a tough choice if one IS actually a doctor and wants to post here as a "real" person -- is it best to "come out" as a doctor, even though one may become inundated with requests and questions, or become more of a local expert than one wants? That would be hard. I can imagine that even if one didn't want it, a certain level of responsibility might suddenly come attached (the desire to help might override personal wishes to stay uninvolved?_
But on the other hand, hiding one's true line of work would become frustrating, esp. if one knows a whole heck of a lot about medicine and wants to educate and chime in as an expert. It would suck to know a lot about the medicines here, but NOT to have one's opinion treated as an "expert" one if in fact one had expertise in the area!
But I guess I'm saying that since we CAN'T know for sure if people are who they say they are on the web(with the exception of you, Dr. Bob), it's best to take all advice with a grain of salt, even if the person says they are a doctor. And of course, we should take all advice from ANYONE with a grain of salt -- not just doctors! :)
And I'm sorry if my posts sound non-welcoming to doctors or non-doctors. I really AM a welcoming person. Sometimes I get up on a bandwagon and start lecturing away, forgetting that real people are involved.
take care,
JenStar
This is the end of the thread.
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