Posted by Gracie2 on October 30, 2001, at 1:35:54
In reply to Re: New informed consent procedure, posted by Dr. Bob on October 28, 2001, at 13:53:34
Ya'll are spoiled. I've mentioned this before and will be happy to say it again - research some other mental health sites and be astounded by the legal tripe one must be required to consent to EACH and every time you sign on; the website is not responsible for any personal action that may result from information obtained, written or implied, from said website. The website does not condone or permit the discussion of any drugs or the effect of such drugs, prescribed or otherwise. The website does not allow discussion of suicide, self-mutilation or any form of abuse,
and any poster who attempts such discussion will be permanently banned.
At some websites, your initials are required after each paragraph explaining forbidden topics;
again, you must do this each time you sign on.It is also important for Dr. Bob to explain that he is not available for psychiatric advice, although he was kind enough to reply to me personally when I felt that I had recieved personal threats from another poster who had somehow obtained my e-mail address. His role as a
mediator and referee only is not often understood by posters, but it is a necessary role to prevent PB from becoming the kind of immature "chatroom" that most of us are so disgusted with.In the past, some posters have been outraged to learn that their comments were used in published studies, although their identities were kept completely anonymous. This attitude mystified me to the point of giving it some real thought. Although you must register to post on PB, anyone on the internet, worldwide, has access to PB and is able to read any message posted. Why would being quoted in a small, specialized study enrage anyone as long as their privacy was protected? Were they unaware that PB communication was not protected by the CIA? Did they expect some kind of publisher's rights and a copyright fee, as if their paragraph or two was equal to a rendition
of "War and Peace"? Come on, people.So all that had to be covered. We are fortunate that we aren't required to take this test every time we wish to post, as some websites require.
It wasn't a big deal, and it didn't warrant all the pissing and moaning, particularly in today's world where too many people have their lawyer on
"speed-dial".
So let's all pop a Xanax and cool off.
-Gracie
poster:Gracie2
thread:315
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20010718/msgs/2252.html