Hello, I don't know whether anyone could help me but I'm wondering about the confidentiality of forum posts on this and other medical forum websites.
I am a nurse and I suffer with PCOS. I would love to set up a forum to help other sufferers but I am worried about being seen to promote patients / individuals from sharing their confidential medical information. I am worried that I would lose my nursing registration by doing this.
Can anyone advise me? Thanks in advance.
I am sure if you aren't doing it under the name of the organisation you work and/or aren't offering medical advice then it wouldn't be a problem. I would check with your professional body - would it be the RCN?
I am not sure what your exact worry is? is it the fear of encouraging people to share their medical details? I would say that's their choice. Just as it is ours on here.
If you are really passionate about this, maybe speak to someone where you work about setting an official support group up - I am certain there is a need for it. Of course there may already be some official forums I just stopped looking after a while.
Good luck.
Hi Chudders,
See http://patient.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/427522-is-my-information-private-in-the-forums in relation to these forums. That FAQ also includes a link to the T&Cs which gives more information. As per the other reply from Catherine it is forum users' own choice to post details or not which is true for any internet site where users can post.
Regards,
Alan
Hi Catherine, thank you for your reply. Yes that is my worry but as you say it is their choice. I am just worried about the NMC / RCNs view of me providing a platform for people to do so. But as you say, it is their choice. I think I will talk to the RCN as you say (and the NMC).
Many thanks x x x x
Hi Alan
This is GREAT! Really helpful, thank you so much. I basically plan to use this kind of thing as a template, altered to apply to my own forum. Thank you for this great help.
Thanks again
Ella