Posted by Nance on July 31, 2000, at 19:15:20
In reply to Dr. Bob- a suggestion, posted by AndrewB on July 31, 2000, at 13:15:56
What a great idea, Andrew. I would have no problem completing your suggested survey, especially after reading in the FAQ about who has access to the info. It could even be interesting to add the results (compiled numerical data only) to the Statistics page. I might even be able to understand that part of the page!
> > I’m suggesting a mandatory registration system for all users. The registration would include a short survey. The questions wouldn’t center on the kind of personal information that make so many nervous, rather, it would ask questions that would help quantify the value (or detriment) provided by such a board. Maybe people should be required to register whether they post or not, after, say, the tenth entry into the site, and periodically they would be re-registrated to update the survey info.
I have concerns about this part of your suggestion. I'm guessing that you're suggesting 10-visit registration and subsequent re-registration to track duration of participation, number reading only vs. posting, and the degree of influence the board has related to number of visits. I know that 10-visit registration data would be very informative (and helpful for funding), but it brings up the issue of which is more important to Psycho-Babble: support and information for people who aren't ready to (or don't want to, for whatever reason) register, or data collection.The way I was feeling when I first started lurking, I would have just left if I had been required to register after 10 visits. I've experienced a very real feeling of support (the whole 'You are not alone in this struggle - Life does go on - There really are people who care" thing) and have acquired a lot of helpful information from all the terrific people in this group. P-B really helped to sustain me until I got to the point where I could see a very faint light at the end of the long, dark tunnel, and I could get up the courage (and take some kind of action) to register and post. THANK YOU ALL! I'd hate to think that there were people out there who would miss out on this experience/support because they weren't yet ready to, or emotionally able to, commit to registering. IMHO, these are probably the very people who need Psycho-Babble the most, and who possibly don't have, or don't feel like they have (skewed perceptions being such a big part of depression), a lot of other personal support.
I have no problem at all with periodic re-registration. My impression is that once someone has gotten over the hurdle of initial registration (in their own time), then re-registration probably wouldn't be a big deal. I get the feeling that most registered P-B participants would be more than willing to take the time to fill out a periodic brief survey if it would help Dr. Bob in his quest for funding.
Hope I haven't offended (and I DO completely understand the need to collect hard data for funding) - just throwing out some thoughts from the perspective of a fairly long-time lurker.
--------------------------------> What follows is a sample survey I came up with. I Hope this give you some helpful ideas.
A couple of [OK, so it turned into a few ;;-) ] suggestions for the survey:> **1) On a scale of 0 to 5 rank the influence the information posted on this board has had on you concerning:
> ...........
> B) Your choice of a non-prescription medicine(s) or supplement(s)
> 1) Name the medicine(s) or supplement(s)
> 2) Has the medicine(s) been effective for youPossibly add in a question about complementary therapies (exercise, special diet, acupuncture, massage therapy, etc.) and their effectiveness
> ...........
>
> E) A decision to change psychiatristsPerhaps add in - A decision to seek out a psychiatrist, rather than a Family Physician/General Practitioner, for treatment.
> ...........
>
> F) The identification of your diagnosis (i.e. thyroid condition, ADD, bipolar)
> 1) Name the diagnosisI'm confused here - is this the diagnosis from your doc, or the registrant's self-diagnosis based on the information posted on this board?
> ...........
>
> **2) On a scale of 0 to 5, has this board made you more likely to make treatment suggestions to your doctor (i.e. choice of medicine).Maybe a follow-up on whether you have shown material from P-B, or from links recommended on P-B, to your doctor in support of your treatment suggestion.
--------------------
Once again, THANK YOU EVERYONE!I sincerely hope that you all realize just how much you are truly helping the hidden group out there who have been lucky enough to find this board, but who, for whatever reason, have not yet de-lurked.
poster:Nance
thread:41031
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000729/msgs/41893.html