Just to be clear, I don’t “have it in” for anyone. In cyberspace or otherwise. What irks me to no end though is people who masquerade as something that they are not especially. Perfect example: I walk around my hospital in scrubs as do many people including the housekeepers. Now unless you scrutinize our ID’s you really don’t know who or what we are. When people address me as “doctor” I correct them and continue the conversation. Whether is a clinical conversation or not. A co-worker of mine does not do this. They continue the conversation with the public as if they really are a physician. Its wrong. Even worse, if the conversation is clinical in nature the person receiving the advice or whatnot thinks this came from an MD. It didn’t. And it could be the exact wrong advice. At least though if their ID would be scrutinized the public would realize the credentials of who they were talking to. There are no ID’s here, so if you give out advice sounding all “medical-like”, people will have the impression that you are a physician. I don’t know if you are or not. You seem to be well read but not totally on the ball. I am up front with what I am. (well as much that will maintain my anonymity) If you are an MD, say so. Most likely you wouldn’t give away your ID, I mean a Jewish doctor? Come on, there are millions. The point is, you seem to speak with authority, criticize others who may disagree with you, get defensive when called to the carpet, and are generally nasty with people you deem to be your inferior.
And when called on it (because we are not inferior to you) you become unglued. A better way to disseminate medical advice/opinion would be to preface it by saying it is your opinion or advice. I guess you can sum up mine and 72’s opinion that we think the public should always be aware that medical advice given over the net with no real title to rely on should be met with skepticism. Especially when its given “like a doctor”. I’d even like to amend that, advice by a physician should also be limited by their specialty. I wouldn’t ask an orthopedist to interpret an ECG. And if they did, I would double check with someone whose specialty required them to be experienced in that.
PS: Someone had a question about gangrene. Its a long topic but take a look at wet and gas gangrene.