I'm signing up. If the patrol accepts me.
Once the group is formed, it would be useful to design a special answering protocol (i.e. acceptable sources, answering speed, etc).
Another problem is how to asses qualifications. I think it should be based on previous answer (and comments) quality in the subject and peer review (that is how we do it in science-land).
The patrol is a good idea. The name bugs me, how about a health board?
Source(s):
experience

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I can certainly help keep an eye on this part of the site and add comments when needed. It is important that people do everything they can to include well documented sites in these type of situations but it is also important to let individuals that answer know their efforts are welcomed and just need work for the future.

Has Mahalo considered adding a small disclaimer box, just above the answers, in sections like health? It seems a small box that matches the look/feel of the question/answers shading could be added right before the answers so it is visible when scrolling down to read the answers. I think adding comments to answer is still important, even if such an addition is put on the site, since it lets individual members see how they can grow but adding the box would at least give users an understanding that answers might not be from professionals.

Another question, has Mahalo considered vetting some members to see if they truly are professionals? If it is found that someone is in fact a Dr. perhaps Mahalo could add a badge to that members profile picture (similar to how Pownce added the little "Pro" badge to everyone's picture that paid for it). This would allow true professionals/experts to shine when it comes to important questions.
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I've noticed your concern in this area, Jason and share it. Medical advice in any form should not be taken lightly.

Here are my thoughts:

Isn't it illegal to mis-represent yourself as an M.D?

Since Mahalo Answers does not currently check any qualifications, maybe the use of "dr" should be restricted in usernames, profile notes and avatars?

Other than this, Mahalo Answers has a very clear disclaimer. If the category disclaimers aren't enough then maybe per-question disclaimers should be implemented so that you can be sure that users are aware that this is an unqualified source of information.

Community moderation should extend beyond health questions. While an inadequate health answer could cause bodily harm, harmful answers can occur in any category.

I'll certainly keep my eye out for answers specifically in the heath category that I think are inadequate or incorrect. However, I don't think that a "health patrol" will solve the underlying problem.

If this is a big issue that needs immediate attention, I think that you should directly commission a med student or retired MD to head up the "health patrol" and answer questions. This person should be give the "diapering question & answer" super power. They should obviously be paid more than the standard M$ tip per answer and should be charged with consistently providing outstanding medical answers.
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I think it's important for all community members to understand that when you are answering any health question to state your whether or not you are an expert in that particular field, and if you are simply copy/pasting text to acknowledge that within your answer, using quotations marks or wrap it with --quote-- tags.

Also, if you are voting on Undecided Questions, or just perusing the site and you stumble upon a answer where the user fails to do so, just shoot a comment as a reminded.
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I'll join the health patrol, if you'll have me. I also think that people need to know what sources the writer is obtaining the information from.

I agree, calling yourself a doctor is too easy though. I think Mahalo needs to have a disclaimer appear on every medical question saying that plus that this should never be a substitute for a doctor.

I've cut and pasted stuff, but almost always attributed this to the source. There may have been a couple of times where I didn't, but you can call me on it.
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Mark Twain said it best when he wrote “Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.”

Perhaps Mahalo answers should create a disclaimer that any health advice given on this site should be run by the persons primary care physician etc.
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My health qualifications are stated in my profile. Is that enough?

I don't know if I agree that a "cut/paste job" without qualifications is an "unhelpful" answer. I'm also for repurposing if it gets the job done. Why reinvent the wheel? I'm sure it's not expected to come up with unique phrasing for every question (especially when questions are repeated)... Just wondering.

I can see what you're going for in how you handled the answers. I guess *I* have been doing it wrong all this time as well. I don't state *up front* qualifications and quotes. I'll be sure to do that for now on. Time to buy TextExpander...

I'm ALWAYS on health patrol... I usually try to answer in my specialty and, as well, look out for inappropriate answers. If they are wrong, I simply mark it "Refute Fact".

So... this is new news to me...
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For the next answer that I provide (which I am not qualified):
- I'll put a disclaimer: please consult real doctors for further info and clarification
- Start the answer with: "According to ... " and followed by --quote -- thanks to @jeffhoard
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I agree Jason!

It's good to see that Mahalo Answers have "Undecided" page because one time I cannot choose the best answer to my question if they are not helpful for me during voting without disclaimer.

http://www.mahalo.com/answers/health/what-is-the-best-alternative-treatment-for-gallstone

Just let you know, I did not decide the best answer for my question because I am not satisfied with the answer yet though in some point helpful!

Not sure if this is a good suggestion to extend more days for answerers to give their best shot to undecided queries from more good sources.  OR, Is it right to show the one who voted the 'best answer' like you did with 'helpful'/'unhelpful' voters?


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I'm in, Jason! I'm most concerned with the statement that a person is or is not a health professional, and in what capacity. I'm confident the community will handle the issue with skill - I've been amazed how kindly people are responding to lack of references, for example.
When you think Dr., think disclaimers and references!
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I agree. If I cut and paste, I put From;
and then put the section in quotes (or at least I try to remember to do so). But stating in advance that I haven't the least bit of medical experience is a good idea.
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I'll join. I don't have medical credentials, although it's in the family and I do actually read medical journals, as it's the available reading material in my parents' home.

I also regularly read alternative medical journals, and have had quite a bit of experience dealing with various medical problems in both my birth family and the family I parent. But I'm always careful to document this in questions I answer, noting "your mileage may vary".

I like to see new content, but sometimes, as Dr. Matt says, a well-documented cut/paste can be helpful, too.
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Thank you for bringing my attention on this subject. I am really a doctor. I work in Bangladesh.

But there is a big possibility that some one may play a role in Internet as a Doctor and may harm people by mistake.
I will use your guide line about answering your question from now on.

And about copy and paste thing I will do it too. But some of the answers I gave are from my knowledge and from the text books I study should I mention their names too.
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I absolutely love this idea. However, currently I have no qualifications to be able to join the health patrol.

To share my love of this idea, I have designed yet another concept for Mahalo of what it may look like.

http://www.mahalo.com/answers/mahalo-answers-suggestions/suggestion-what-would-accounts-be-like-if-you-were-a-mahalo-doctor
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OK, next time I quote from personal experience I will put it in the FIRST sentence rather than the second.

I think, that unless it is directly from personal experience, regardless of your professional experience that sources should be cited.
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Jason,

I'd love to help "patrol" - as a medical librarian - I understand that people look to the internet for answers - but they don't necessarily look at the best resources. I'm guilty of cutting and pasting but I always cite and always make a disclaimer (Not medical advice, not an MD).

A few questions/ideas?

1. Would you like people to fact-check answers or just make sure that citation is done and disclaimers are made? Could there be a system for fact-checkers to earn points for identifying good/bad answers?

2. Is there anyway we could format the system to automatically put a disclaimer at the top of all medical answers? Maybe even in bold or highlighted for impact? Just an idea.

3. Also, could you 'validate' some users as 'experts' by checking references and/or degrees - maybe this could earn them a badge/emblem (or something) on their belt?

Thanks, Lindsey :)
Source(s):
my $0.02.

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