Progress
Well, since the last post, the following things have happened:
- We have had a number of people “signing up” for the code. We are up to 21 on the list.
- Highlighting that list is Fat Doctor, whose experiences were part of what brought on this code in the first place. Welcome! (This is not at all meant to short those others who have signed up by any stretch of imagination).
- The logo should come up without watermark soon.
Some questions have also arisen over the past few days:
- Should we have a separate section for bloggers from the patient perspective?
- How should we handle situations where websites are called into question? I really have no desire to be punitive about things, yet for a code to have legitimacy it must stand for something. One suggestion was to have a group of people who would be willing to help me decide if a site should be taken off of the list. I would say that there would have to be fairly blatant disregard of the code for the link to be removed from the website. Are there those interested in helping?
I’m good either/or on the patient perspective section. We can be one lump group, or a kind of sub-section. I’m not sure which would work best, but would like to hear opinions about the matter.
Another thought: regardless of whether this is one big group or one with a sub-section of patients, would patients perhaps require a slightly altered logo, so as not to give the impression that we’re in any way medical professionals? I’d prefer not to potentially mislead folks.
Interesting project. See my HealthBlawg post on the subject here. I’d welcome your comments.
I feel like I’d want to be added to the list, but am not quite sure if my blog is living up to the standards that you’ve set out…
if you guys decide to set up a group/committee that would look through and offer suggestions as to the adherence to the rules, then I would love for my blog to be scrutinized…
As you know Rob, my position is as Amanda’s. Should I begin to post again, I like the idea of having others that visit, know I stand behind what you all are doing. I guess I’d fall under patient, as I’m no longer in the field; but, if I did post on anything in the past, they are actual events that occurred, albeit with provisions to protect the innocent and adhere to HIPPA.
Dr. Rob, you can count me into the patient group.
And by the way, the Alpaca meatloaf was great …
I do think we need to separate out patient-oriented blogs from MD-oriented blogs. We could use the same code but run a separate list.
As for violations of the code, I agree, they should be blatant. Perhaps we should have a panel that rotates every few months to keep it fresh. I’d suggest every one who signs up be part with an option for anyone who doesn’t want to be part to opt out. This way it’s a community board and not an exclusive board. Just a suggestion.
Gwenn
Hi!
First off, great idea!
I just was sent over here by Rishi.
I like the idea of an ethical code for medical blogging. I especially liked the idea of attacking ideas, and not people.
If I can put my two cents in about the emblem. It is fine with me. Technically it is a medical symbol. So for us non-drug guys, may I suggest the same thing, but perhaps with a piece vine of green beans, or grapes wrapped around the side. Just a joke
Well, maybe mostly a joke 
Thanks for making the blog! You have my support!
dk
hey, nice musings. keep it up, you never know who’s reading
So for us non-drug guys, may I suggest the same thing, but perhaps with a piece vine of green beans, or grapes wrapped around the side.
As long as it’s not a pea vine, it’s all good.