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Hepatitis C Expert Forum
As quite a few people are annoyed by people accidentally or intentionally answering questions directly addressed to Dr. Dieterich, I have taken the initiative to write to medhelp and ask them to do something about it. I know that I myself have accidentally answered on the Expert Forum and only realized afterward, that I was on the wrong forum. So .... my suggestion is that they change the settings, so that only Dr. D. can reply.
In the beginning I thought that it was kind of okay to reply to the answers AFTER Dr. D. posted his reply. But after thinking a bit more about it, I actually don't think that's so cool either.
If a person asks Dr. D. a question, they expect an answer from Dr. D. and not from all of us. If they would want our comment on that particular question they would/could post it either here or on Hep C social forum or on the Hep c forum.
And if they want comments from Dr. D and the forum members, they can post the same question on both forums.
The problem is, that Dr. has missed some questions and they look as if they have been answered. And that must be quite frustrating to the posters.
Hope I haven't stepped on anybodies feet.
Marcia
In the beginning I thought that it was kind of okay to reply to the answers AFTER Dr. D. posted his reply. But after thinking a bit more about it, I actually don't think that's so cool either.
If a person asks Dr. D. a question, they expect an answer from Dr. D. and not from all of us. If they would want our comment on that particular question they would/could post it either here or on Hep C social forum or on the Hep c forum.
And if they want comments from Dr. D and the forum members, they can post the same question on both forums.
The problem is, that Dr. has missed some questions and they look as if they have been answered. And that must be quite frustrating to the posters.
Hope I haven't stepped on anybodies feet.
Marcia
If you think Dr. D is unable to figure out which posts have answers with a little yellow caduceus next to them, you may want to rethink who you are taking medical advice from.
In the past, it's appeared that he has simply ignored some of the lamer questions. I realize this may hurt some feelings and may not always be true, but that's the way it sometimes appears.
Also, (as with any specialty field) you will find that his knowledge and expertise may not be the last word on some subjects. Bluntly, you can't find any distinguished expert that some other equally distinguished expert won't say is full of it occasionally.
If people want advice solely from Dr. D, they should make an appointment with him and pay him for his time.
In the past, it's appeared that he has simply ignored some of the lamer questions. I realize this may hurt some feelings and may not always be true, but that's the way it sometimes appears.
Also, (as with any specialty field) you will find that his knowledge and expertise may not be the last word on some subjects. Bluntly, you can't find any distinguished expert that some other equally distinguished expert won't say is full of it occasionally.
If people want advice solely from Dr. D, they should make an appointment with him and pay him for his time.
I don't see any harm if members want to give their comments/experiences to complement what the doctor is saying. This practice is consistent with all the other "Expert" forums at MedHelp and I'm sure if MH thought there was a problem they would not allow it. Keep in mind that not everyone who ends up in the Expert Forum is even aware that the other forums exist or vice versa.
Also, ironically, the people who seem to be objecting in that thread are not the ones who actually posted the questions! And in fact those that did post questions and received member replies appeared grateful. And why not, when you post a question you want as much input as possible, I know I did when I posted to the Expert Forum on another health issue. Yes, I wanted the doctors input, but I was grateful for any and all input. Also note that Doctor Dieterich doesn't seem fazed at all and in fact complimented one member for her answer!
As to the doctor missing questions, yes he has, but if you look closely you will note that there is no pattern other than perhaps questions from a certain date. In other words he doesn't seem to miss questions because someone has posted to the thread as opposed to threads where no one has posted.
I'd like to say that maybe etiquette dicates that the doctor should be able to answer the question first, but sometimes better to leave well enough alone, i.e. if it ain't broke then don't fix it. That said, I think it's important that anyone who does participate in that forum makes it clear in some manner that they are not Doctor Dieterich. Of course this doesn't apply to Doctor Dieterich who we are so very lucky to have on board.
-- Jim
Also, ironically, the people who seem to be objecting in that thread are not the ones who actually posted the questions! And in fact those that did post questions and received member replies appeared grateful. And why not, when you post a question you want as much input as possible, I know I did when I posted to the Expert Forum on another health issue. Yes, I wanted the doctors input, but I was grateful for any and all input. Also note that Doctor Dieterich doesn't seem fazed at all and in fact complimented one member for her answer!
As to the doctor missing questions, yes he has, but if you look closely you will note that there is no pattern other than perhaps questions from a certain date. In other words he doesn't seem to miss questions because someone has posted to the thread as opposed to threads where no one has posted.
I'd like to say that maybe etiquette dicates that the doctor should be able to answer the question first, but sometimes better to leave well enough alone, i.e. if it ain't broke then don't fix it. That said, I think it's important that anyone who does participate in that forum makes it clear in some manner that they are not Doctor Dieterich. Of course this doesn't apply to Doctor Dieterich who we are so very lucky to have on board.
-- Jim
On the top of that page it says Hepatitis C Expert Forum and ....
Questions posted in the Hepatitis C Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Mount Sinai Medical Center.
So I assume that people who post there are expecting just that, a reply from a medical professional.
desrt
'If people want advice solely from Dr. D, they should make an appointment with him and pay him for his time.'
Not everyone has the possibility to just take a trip to NY to see him. I myself am in Denmark.
Marcia
Questions posted in the Hepatitis C Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Mount Sinai Medical Center.
So I assume that people who post there are expecting just that, a reply from a medical professional.
desrt
'If people want advice solely from Dr. D, they should make an appointment with him and pay him for his time.'
Not everyone has the possibility to just take a trip to NY to see him. I myself am in Denmark.
Marcia
I don't see any harm in people posting additional information to what Dr. D. has posted. I'm sure it helps to hear from people who can expand on his answers with their own experiences.
Etiquette to me also dictates that it would be nice if the doc answered first, however I'm sure he can deal with that and it's nice to have that little orange .. caduceus? (learn something new every day!) by his posts. I just end up scanning down the list for that orange thing to find when he's posted so that I can zero in on them when I want to. Therefore, if I don't want to read anyone else's posts until the doc has posted, it's easy to do just that. And if others don't mind reading all the other posts first, they can do that too.
I appreciate what you're trying to do, I think someone simply posted an irritant to them and I think the resulting discussion is sufficient without forcing us into more rigid methods of posting. I already have enough trouble trying to figure out which side I should post certain things on. :)
Trish
Etiquette to me also dictates that it would be nice if the doc answered first, however I'm sure he can deal with that and it's nice to have that little orange .. caduceus? (learn something new every day!) by his posts. I just end up scanning down the list for that orange thing to find when he's posted so that I can zero in on them when I want to. Therefore, if I don't want to read anyone else's posts until the doc has posted, it's easy to do just that. And if others don't mind reading all the other posts first, they can do that too.
I appreciate what you're trying to do, I think someone simply posted an irritant to them and I think the resulting discussion is sufficient without forcing us into more rigid methods of posting. I already have enough trouble trying to figure out which side I should post certain things on. :)
Trish
Would you mind giving us the name of the contact you wrote to as mentioned in the professional forum? So far it appears that more people are "annoyed" (your word) by the possible implementation of your suggestion than are annoyed by the perceived problem. As long as you involved MedHelp, I think it only fair that they hear all sides of the issue.
-- Jim
-- Jim
Of course. I wrote to Harry. Had been in touch with him at the beginning when they open the expert forum. I had written to medhelp, as I saw that Dr. D. was answering some questions and not others. Harry explained to me that they had had problems with the email alert to Dr. D.at the time. He was only getting some and not others at the time.
BTW, He hasn't responded to my message, yet. Probably not before Monday. Anyway, when he does, I will tell him that we are split on the subject.
An alternative would be to write it a bit more obvious that it is an expert forum and to also mention that there are the two other hep c forums, where one can converse with fellow heppers.
Obviously we need to reach a compromise!
Marcia
BTW, He hasn't responded to my message, yet. Probably not before Monday. Anyway, when he does, I will tell him that we are split on the subject.
An alternative would be to write it a bit more obvious that it is an expert forum and to also mention that there are the two other hep c forums, where one can converse with fellow heppers.
Obviously we need to reach a compromise!
Marcia
On the actual thread on the expert forum there are more people annoyed with the fact that ppl are posting there. There has been so much talk, that's why I decided to bring in some action. Maybe I shouldn't have. But sometimes I have a problem sitting around when ppl are complaining... if you know what I mean. I guess it comes from the constant problem solving mode one is in, when one has so many kids....
I apologize, I didn't want to step on anyone's feet, just wanted to help.
So please everyone, let me know what you guys want me to tell medhelp when they contact me.
Marcia
I apologize, I didn't want to step on anyone's feet, just wanted to help.
So please everyone, let me know what you guys want me to tell medhelp when they contact me.
Marcia
Thanks for the contact info! As mentioned before, Med Help has allowed forum member participation for a long time in all of its professional forums now numbering close to 100! As long as people don't abuse the priviledge I see no reason to start changing something that obviously is working. I just sent Harry a note including links to both this thread and the other.
-- Jim
-- Jim
I agree with you. I think the expert part should be for the doctor to answer. I also mistakenly posted there once forgetting I was in that forum. When I read a post there I am curious as to his answer to a particular question to that question.
If I ever posted to Dr. Dietrich, it would be because I wanted his expert opinion. If I wanted other forum members opinion I would post in non expert section. Sometimes when I see people answering a question that was posted to Dr. D I think exactly what you are saying, or that it is a little rude. Don't get me wrong it is not that I do not value others opinions and experiences, because I certainly do or that I do not want other advice on something. It is just that, IMHO, is not the correct forum for that. So I usually just chose to not read those peoples comments.
If I posted to him, and I never have yet, and someone else answered my post I would be thinking (but probably not say) "I do not recall asking you" or "I did not know your name was Dr. Dietrich" but that is just my opinion. Like I said if I wanted, which I do, others experiences or opinions I would post it in the hepc forum.
If I ever posted to Dr. Dietrich, it would be because I wanted his expert opinion. If I wanted other forum members opinion I would post in non expert section. Sometimes when I see people answering a question that was posted to Dr. D I think exactly what you are saying, or that it is a little rude. Don't get me wrong it is not that I do not value others opinions and experiences, because I certainly do or that I do not want other advice on something. It is just that, IMHO, is not the correct forum for that. So I usually just chose to not read those peoples comments.
If I posted to him, and I never have yet, and someone else answered my post I would be thinking (but probably not say) "I do not recall asking you" or "I did not know your name was Dr. Dietrich" but that is just my opinion. Like I said if I wanted, which I do, others experiences or opinions I would post it in the hepc forum.
First I thought it might easen up my foggy brain if we do as marcia said ,but I must say desrt said it all, theres a yellow caduseus for us and for dr D to see and censorship and controlspirit can easily take away all joy and creativity.
So I will say as the Beatles Let it be, and if you have problem Roll over Beethoven.(Chuck Berry)
ca
So I will say as the Beatles Let it be, and if you have problem Roll over Beethoven.(Chuck Berry)
ca
Well....I think that little orange "caduceus" is pretty darn obvious. If people can't figure out the difference between others and Dr. D., I think adding more posting rules is going to make it even worse.
I do have the option not to read the other posts if I don't want to, I've found it helpful to read the additional posts and sometimes new people don't notice the other forums are there and we get to tell them, rather than having Dr. Dieterich also act as a forum moderator. We can also direct people to links to forum threads that exist on the question they're posting. The only time I get annoyed is when someone answers the question before Dr. Dieterich as if answering on his behalf but I can ignore those posts.
I'm concerned we'll lose more by instituting a rigid rule that only Dr. Dieterich can post there than we lose by putting up with the occasional irritating-to-some posters.
Trish
I do have the option not to read the other posts if I don't want to, I've found it helpful to read the additional posts and sometimes new people don't notice the other forums are there and we get to tell them, rather than having Dr. Dieterich also act as a forum moderator. We can also direct people to links to forum threads that exist on the question they're posting. The only time I get annoyed is when someone answers the question before Dr. Dieterich as if answering on his behalf but I can ignore those posts.
I'm concerned we'll lose more by instituting a rigid rule that only Dr. Dieterich can post there than we lose by putting up with the occasional irritating-to-some posters.
Trish
When Harry contacts me, I will tell him to ignore my message.
At least we got a good discussion going here, instead of discussing it on the expert forum. And it is always good to clear things out.
Again, sorry for contacting medhelp prior to discussing this with everyone.
Love you all, am going to sleep now. Was at a 30 yrs bday brunch of one of our daughter-in-law's today and am soooo zonked now. 4 hours out was just a bit too much for me.
Marcia
At least we got a good discussion going here, instead of discussing it on the expert forum. And it is always good to clear things out.
Again, sorry for contacting medhelp prior to discussing this with everyone.
Love you all, am going to sleep now. Was at a 30 yrs bday brunch of one of our daughter-in-law's today and am soooo zonked now. 4 hours out was just a bit too much for me.
Marcia
When Harry contacts you, I don't think anyone will object if you tell him instead to get rid of Matt's "Juicing" thread on the other side :) Just want you to know that no apologies are necessary at least as far as I'm concerned. You did what you felt was right, nothing wrong there. Discussion is always good.
Be well,
-- Jim
Be well,
-- Jim
Me too - one of the worst threads I've seen on MedHelp. He got so bizzare at the end I thought maybe he was on some of that other stuff they call "juice" too.
Trin
Trin
Hey Marcia,
Thanks for taking the initiative - I don't think the thread re Dr D was aimed at you :-)...
I've had posts from my questions to Dr D replied by Dr D as well as other informed people on the forum and found the suggestions invaluable.
So, those reading, if you see a post from me to Dr D, feel free to add your comments... Please!!!! I had no doubt as to which responses were from Dr D and which were from others sharing their experiences.
Thanks for taking the initiative - I don't think the thread re Dr D was aimed at you :-)...
I've had posts from my questions to Dr D replied by Dr D as well as other informed people on the forum and found the suggestions invaluable.
So, those reading, if you see a post from me to Dr D, feel free to add your comments... Please!!!! I had no doubt as to which responses were from Dr D and which were from others sharing their experiences.
Thanks... I'll do that...
I don't know what the heck that Matt is on... He is really, really bizarre...
Marcia
I don't know what the heck that Matt is on... He is really, really bizarre...
Marcia
and find out why they only allow like 2 posts a day over on the expert forum.
It used to be like that here and it stunk! Someone over there opened a new post to the Doc instead of continuing in his original---That could have been MINE!!! LOL
(I've been trying to get in there to post a ? for a few days now)
It used to be like that here and it stunk! Someone over there opened a new post to the Doc instead of continuing in his original---That could have been MINE!!! LOL
(I've been trying to get in there to post a ? for a few days now)
They allow 4 posts a day... and maybe less over the weekend. I haven't really figured that out. When they announced the forum they said 4 a day. I think it must be not to inundate the doc .... He probably doesn't have all that much time to sit there answering questions :-)
Marcia
Marcia
No I can see he doesn't with all the unanswered questions. Perhaps that's also why people answer until he can get to the questions himself.
It's probably like a second job to him.
4 a day isn't bad, just wish i could get one in LOL
Thanks Marcia...
enigma
It's probably like a second job to him.
4 a day isn't bad, just wish i could get one in LOL
Thanks Marcia...
enigma
if they`ve never tried it? Even a doctor? People believe what they want to believe, like America is a good country, full of smart people.
It would be great if MedHelp could keep unanswered questions at the top, so Dr.D doesn't have waste time looking for them, and forum members can post without worrying about pushing unanswered questions down.
smaug
smaug
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