Posted by shar on August 13, 2000, at 23:39:19
In reply to Medical Deities by Proxy on the internet? » Cam W., posted by Oddzilla on August 13, 2000, at 20:29:02
Hmmmm, I always think that boards with a fairly consistent group of posters sort of self-regulate. That is, if someone posted something out in left field here, I would expect others would say something. I don't feel it's important to have someone's vita before I read what they have to say, and evaluate its veracity.
On the other hand, I believe the "grain of salt" caveat, and I still do research on my own. Many posters here seem to have better information than my pdoc--info I've independently confirmed via research after seeing it here.
Shar
>
> I think another problem on support groups is the ability of any individual to assume the stance of an authority with or without identifying himself as such.
>
> One way is the recovered sufferer as expert. Of course there is no way to verify she ever even had the condition or ever recovered. This person discounts everybody else's experience in comparison to hers. One of her techniques is to use the authoritative we in all references to symptoms, etc. There is reference to common knowledge,authorities say, tests have shown,etc.,but few actual sources given Another technique is to present oneself as the ultimate sufferer before in order to give more weight to the present "recovery". The MD by proxy often is very outgoing and very voluminous poster. In order to be one of the "in crowd" and recieve attention and support it is tempting and comforting to listen to her and agree with her.
>
> Second is the guy with the big vocabulary and a little bit of knowledge (which as we know is a dangerous thing).
>
> Third is the guy with a lot of knowledge (apparently) but not willing to disclose where he got it. If someone gives information in a professional manner for a while, people who are looking for information and support and are unable to conduct research themselves because of their conditions may come to rely on him. And that could be disastrous. (Like Sunnely?)
>
> Fourth is the person who announces he is a professional but refuses to give credentials. This person (such as Toby?)could be a shy psychiatrist or he could be an inmate at a hospital for the criminally insane with a computer in the hospital library. Who knows?
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> In a review of an online discussion group for repetitive strain injury quoted in the article a third of the advice given was unconventional,unconfirmed or inappropriate. That might cause a little discomfort but bad advice in a mental health group could cause disaster.
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> I consider you an authentic Pharmaceutical Deity.
>
> I am an expert on nothing but these are my observations and opinions.
>
>
> Oddzilla
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> PS I know DR Bob has a little disclaimer up at the top of the page!
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>
>
> > I was surfing and found an article on the risks and problems that can occur on internet medical bulletin boards:
> >
> > Feldman,MD. Munchausen by Internet: Detecting Factitious Illness and Crisis on the Internet, Southern Medical Journal, July,2000; 93(7).
> >
> > download pdf file directly at:
> >
> > http://www.sma.org/smj2000/julysmj00/feldman.pdf
> >
> > or go to the journal first and then download article:
> >
> > http://www.sma.org/smj2000/julysmj00
> >
> > - Cam
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>
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>
> I was surfing and found an article on the risks and problems that can occur on internet medical bulletin boards:
> >
> > Feldman,MD. Munchausen by Internet: Detecting Factitious Illness and Crisis on the Internet, Southern Medical Journal, July,2000; 93(7).
> >
> > download pdf file directly at:
> >
> > http://www.sma.org/smj2000/julysmj00/feldman.pdf
> >
> > or go to the journal first and then download article:
> >
> > http://www.sma.org/smj2000/julysmj00
> >
> > - Cam
poster:shar
thread:42703
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000811/msgs/42807.html