I’m torn and I need your thoughts!!

that is a tough one but i think keep them as long as it is within reason and if any majoe stuff comes up refer them to there nearest gp hospital it kind of works both ways

Hi, I think you should keep the medical questions but have a standard comment that you add advising that ‘they are welcome to post but if in doubt should get professional medical advice.’

The comments should be taken purely as opinion only. When it comes to actual medical diagnosis or help, A Doctor is the only answer. Advice is good for when they may think its not really that serious BUT always always a Doctor’s is the proper one. Its ok to ask advice but not to accept diagnosis or treatment from someone over the internet.

I believe keeping the medical Q’s is probably the way to go. I only have my own experience to back me on this one, but having others suggestions under your belt when you go to the doctor, it’s handy to be able to say “can I use this/do that?” the doctor will then assist in their road to recovery. A lot of what happens in life is uncertain, sometimes just knowing you’re not alone in it can help to no end – even if it’s just what you need to push yourself to get to the doctor!
Love your site, and thank you for investing so much time and heart into everything you do. Yes you have opened your eyes to a lot of suffering people, but that is not something that you personally need to carry on your shoulders. Much love, clare.

I think that anyone posting a medical question understands that they are asking a group of IM’s, not doctors. It should all be taken with a grain of salt?

Maybe keep them and if you’re in doubt about what people might say have a standard ‘copy paste’ before re-posting the question that says a bit of a disclaimer? like: ‘Remember that our IM sisterhood is about IM’s giving advice to other IM’s – please don’t take this as more than friendly advice and see your health professional for more information. IM Question: …. ‘ or something like that?

I agree with Kylie that maybe a little reminder around “these are suggestions only and seek medical advice” might be appropriate. xx

I agree with Kylie. Of course we are in no way doctors and cannot diagnose any medical help,but can we not help those make the decision easier to go to the doctor simply by stating that it would be in your best inter stets to see a dr asap? I know it makes me feel like i should go if i read that most im’s write ‘go to your dr asap’. And, the dicalaimer is a great idea to put on the bottom of the paragraph. Keep up the good work Kristy and Kelly:)

You need to enlist a psychologist and medical gp to screen your page. There prob are Doctors and Psychologists that are “Imperfect mums” themselves on this page.

You often get a couple of crazies, but the majority message is usually pretty sensible and conservative. I don’t think you should be worried. You’ve made it abundantly clear that this is a) a group of Mums, and b) we’re not perfect!

I would ask for advise but being a big girl would choose my self ..EG today at Bowls I asked my friend who is a RN and has been fo many years a Question .. I woke up last night with the room spinning and my palms sweating feeling like I want to throw up..When I got up this Am I was dizzy again ..No i,m not pregant first you need sex second I,m far to old at 51 Anyway she said it could be the change of life …Or a ear infection I said my ears are not sore she said they didn,t have to be ..But did say I should see my DR If it keeps up and See him in the next 24 hrs …. So I will go tomorrow am.. so I ask but also judge for myself .. Its a hard Question Because you want to be fair to everyone .. Good luck

I have not read previous comments ( Forgive me getting a sneaky 5 min facebook stalk in while I can) But maybe if you state under the question to seek proffessional medical advice that should put your mind at ease as you have delivered the number one solution to their problem

I agree with Kylie. Keep them but maybe add a standard disclaimer advising use this as general information but see a relevant medical professional for specific advice pertinent to yourself

I agree, keep the medical questions but just strongly suggest making a doctor’s appointment. People obviously do realise you aren’t a medical professional, and even though we share our problems or advice, the doctor is always the best avenue. I think women just like to be reassured that others have gone through a similar illness or symptom and that they aren’t alone….

I love your page on facebook.You are a beautiful, down to earth strong lady….well done to you!!

I agreee with Kylie

as a nurse im get a little upset about some of the medical questions that come on here cause i find it astonishing that ppl know there is something wrong but wait to get advice off ppl of facebook before they will seek medical advice. i dont think this page is appropriate for medical advice. advice off mums about life and kids and work etc by all means but medical advice needs to be given by a trained medical person, not from the internet. im so glad you have addressed this because i have given my opinion to another parent page about the volume of medical questions and that they should be seeking medical advice and i got bombarded with some pretty nasty comments and so left that page when i was just voicing my concern so good on you x

I totally agree with Kylie, if you remove the medical enquiries it may be that the person asking receives no help or maybe the peoples suggestions pick up on something that’s been missed out, aside from that I think it’s nice to know that your not alone…

I think people posting here and asking questions would be smart enough to know that the comments are not always going to be from medical professionals. The advice should be taken the same as if they were asking their non-doctor friend. Sometimes us asking, we’re unsure whether it’s serious enough to go to the doctor (mums always puttings others first…) so the reinforcement from others to go to the dr is all we need. In saying that, maybe it would be a good idea to put some sort of medical disclaimer into your info area just to be on the safe side.

I think leave it as it is. As a practising solicitor I can unequivocally say ur not open to any liability as to any advice given. It’s an online forum, intended for discussing various things. I would leave it & not worry urself further about it. At the end of the day, common sense plays a big role, if somebody is prepared to take a strangers diagnosis over seeing their GP, its their own loss.

I agree with Kylie, a quick copy paste disclaimer might be good because as you said some people could take this seriously and not seek professional help. However this is a forum and people do need a place to just ask questions as perhaps a precursor to their docs appointments. I mean people can put in their symptoms into Google and get similar response, there is no stopping that or people with previous similar symptoms claiming the answer, cure or advice. Most people know whats wrong with them already and really just want a confirmation that yes, they do actually need to make that docs/Counselling appointment and go ahead and get better. I think the forum is like a transition for getting enough up and go to make the appointment.

Kristy, you are doing an amazing job, but can’t help everyone. This is a site for mums, but not medical advise. If its causing you angst, stop it. Free your mind and let medicall sites and doctors answer the questions. Good luck. You are a rock to so many women.

Hmmm this is a pickle for you hon, and I get where you are coming from. Since “most” posts go to your inbox these days and you screen them before posting I’m wondering if it is a general question that you could simply post it… if there is something of more of a serious nature perhaps it would be better to reply to the IM sending the question something along the lines of “I strongly believe that this question is better answered by qualified medical professionals” and maybe include the number for the Health Direct Service where they then could make the phone call to ask the question to a trained person. Hope that makes sense. Great work with the page Kristy

I like the Kylie’s idea, but I am not sure you really need more work to do!? If you are not at any legal risk (and I note Joanne’s post says you are not), perhaps you should just continue as normal and hope that people use their common sense. For some people, this forum may be the only support they can reach for (and that could be as a result of geographic location, fear, self-doubt or a variety of reasons)…

My opinion…keep them. Love the idea that we can turn to your page when ur not sure who to ask…most responses seem to advise doc. maybe a ‘copy & paste’ type reply
any q of a medical nature are advised to get a professional opinion. or disclaimer as others have suggested. the info i get from ue site is so very valuable…thank you! X

I have answered someone’s plea on imperfect mum, merely by giving them links to info that is otherwise very difficult to find. I am a remedial therapist working with physios for re overy and had the knowledge to pass on. I was grateful that I could do this. I have others suggest alternatives and ideas. It ususually takes several trips to doctors and specailist and ones own research to find out what needs to be done. If people can make suggestions for others to consider, remember they then have to run it past a doctor.. .it is an excellent page, censoring would be dissapointing. Love the new look! Keep up the great work!

Ultimately the choice is yours because you need to be comfortable with the content on your page, otherwise you may start to feel like you are losing control of it, maybe?

I see where you are coming from re health questions, so if you decide to stop posting health related questions, maybe in the interest of maintaining the whole helping others theme of the sisterhood you could have a separate page of links dedicated to mental health, nutrition advice, other blogs that do offer medical question help – whatever you see fit, or even ask other IM’s who they might like to recommend…

Then maybe have a “disclaimer” somewhere saying that you have posted links to help point people in the right direction, but nothing beats a visit to your GP etc etc etc, getting proper medical advice…

Whatever you do, I hope you find the best solution for both the sisterhood and yourself as creator of IM! Good luck my friend…

Jacks
xoxo

I agree with Kylie.

As much as I know the importance of going to the doctor for medical advice, I also know how hard it can be to get an appointment. I’ve waited weeks to get one. So, it’s also nice to have some kind of clue, or peace of mind until the time comes too. Also, I’ve posted pictures of rashes, or burns my kids had directly onto my Fbook profile asking friends or family if it’s something I should take to the doctor too… Seeing as they can be quite busy, and it’s a few hours wait in emergency.. I wouldn’t want to be taking them for every little thing.

Sometimes as a Mum you just need that reassurance that yes, you are not neurotic and a visit to the Dr is in order. I wouldn’t panic too much, as the same could be said for most of the questions – legal advice, pyschological – hopefully most IM’s realise they are just getting some feedback and that independent professional advice is best in most cases.

Great Idea Kylie!

Yep, I agree! – It’s always nice to know that other people are in the same boat.

Yep! – too true! – Thanks Brooke

Wow that’s fantastic to here – Thanks Joanne!

Thanks Lee – I will definitely take your opinion into account! X

Yes, I would think people would take into account that we are only Mum’s not doctors.

You know what I reckon there would be but it’s a big ask for someone to do that but it’s a good idea – But it would have to be voluntary like my role is..

Ohhh Clare, what a lovely thing to say! Thank YOU XX

Yeah, Great Idea Heidi! Thanks XX

Thanks DarlX

Yep!- Good point!

Yes Julianne, So very true! – That’s what I worry about.. The ones that need it the most may not take the other measures.

Thanks Pauline! – Very nice comment to read.

I think that if it is making you uncomfortable then you may well already have your answer.

This has crossed my mind while reading your page a lot. The people that diagnose will often just write a ‘one liner’. For example, a while back there was a Mum asking if it is normal for a child to eat books. Two people came on and diagnosed the child with pica. I wrote a comment on the discussion for the Mum to ignore those comments and really felt that it was inappropriate. I don’t believe a diagnosis can be given on the basis of a few sentences online. I was also annoyed at the lack of detail in the replies that gave the diagnosis.