Disclosure

Via Kevin, MD:

Dr. Lei believes that medical bloggers should be held to high standards. She has questions. Here are my answers:

1. Who runs this site?

I do! I'm a psychiatrist in Eugene, Oregon. I don't post my name, because I have concerns about confidentiality. I wish I had chosen a different name for this blog! (One commenter says it sounds like "an inept laundromat.") We must think of a better one...

2. Who pays for the site?

Blogspot blogs are free. I have no ads.

3. What is the purpose of the site?

There's no simple answer. It's commentary. It's an online diary. It's ego, it's an escape, it's a a game. It's a wish to connect with others. Why shouldn't doctors join the fun of blogging?

Truthfully, it's not that different from what I've always done. I've been writing since I was very young. I also took writing and journalism courses (before and during pre-med). I chased news stories. I wrote features, interviews, and puzzles for school papers. I wrote fake horoscopes that told readers where to park, what to wear, and to "circle B on all multiple-choice tests today." (One year, I gave the editor so many ramblings that he got fed up. He said, "Look, why don't you get your own magazine?")

4. Where does the information come from?

I look for specific stories: patients and doctors talking about their experiences, trying to communicate. Readers send "blog fodder." I link to mainstream media, to other blogs (see blogroll), and to anything that looks interesting.

5. What is the basis of the information?

It should be clear from the links. Or, it should be clear that it's my own voice. But no medical advice is given on this blog! (Except "talk to your doctor" and "take a CPR class.")

6. How is the information selected?

Ah, the creative process! If it's not in the headlines (or in another blog), then it's something that might have occurred to me at home or on the job.

7. How current is the information?

This should be clear from the links. Note: when I say, "I saw this at work today," you can be sure that it was, actually, a totally different day. (Confidentiality!)

8. How does the site choose links to other sites?

See above. I also have a mental representation of what is "appropriate." This involves some combination of: (a) Can colleagues and superiors read this? (b) Will a patient read this and say, "hey, that's me?" and (c) Can mom read this?

9. What information about you does the site collect, and why?

Sitemeter tells us a little about who's visiting and what they're reading. But we can't really identify anyone. (I am fairly sure, however, that the hits from the Chinese coast are from my husband.)

10. How does the site manage interactions with visitors?

Comments are welcome! I haven't had to delete a comment in a long, long time. If a comment doesn't meet criteria a, b, and c (above), out it goes.

There you have it. Any more questions?