We can make this a registered-only viewership forum. However, it doesn't prevent non-docs from getting access. Additionally, if we required NPI numbers or some other similar system, then it would limit a lot of our core membership from accessing the forum.
On that note, I want to make one issue clear - SDN is a site for doctors and doctors-in-training. We're not a site for the entire healthcare team.
SDN is strictly a site for open discussion among different professions within one of our 9 represented communities.
If a non-doc uses SDN, they do so at their own discretion. In terms of moderation, we will always give preference to our core membership. RNs, CRNAs, PAs, etc are welcome to visit SDN, but our core membership comes first.
On the thread in question, it was closed for the reasons noted above.
I dont have a clue what went on here, however, I do want some clarification.
You state that "SDN is a site for doctors and doctors-in-training. We're NOT a site for the entire healthcare team".
I AM a Doctor of Pharmacy! I received my degree from the finest & most well regarded pharmacy school in the nation.
I INDEED have a doctorate in my profession & am very much a part of the healthcare team. In FACT I also have an NPI, a DEA # & know that state licenses are not uniform nationwide!
You, by your one pontificating statement have alienated everyone BUT physicians - and physicians in training (altho my own daughter, who is 18 months from being a physician and my husband who is a dentist - certainly NOT a doctor in your narrow minded view - might both be alienated on my behalf!). I often read this thread because my own daughter will be an intern in 18 months & I annually have to work with new interns. It helps to know & be reminded of how they think & view things, which I take for granted.
So - since you, as a site, value physicians much more than the rest of us - I can work very, very hard at being active in how biased & negative this site might be toward those who are not physicians or physicians in training. Is that your purpose? You don't seem to work very hard at keeping those who "bash" pharmacists off our site - but, then we are just one forum on the "whole" site - which, you've already stated is for physicians only.
I've only been a pharmacist for 30+ years. I've seen a lot of you come & go professionally. I've been politically active in my own profession & can speak in the "ears" of those who might choose to advertise or not; choose to speak well of you or not. Thats the benefit of having classmates in industry! Cheapens us all - doesn't it?????? I have also taught & am close with those in education within my own state. Is it worth all that negativity to all the other health professions to promote & validate "venting" which gets out of hand among interns, residents, attendings - and yes, all of us who might just need bit of venting? Venting is an acceptable practice & one which requires the individual venting to do just that - blow off steam & not let the anger get the best of the individual. But, there is a limit - both online & in real life.
But, if your profession needs "protection" of its core membership by moderation & cannot deal with other health care professionals on, yes, a professional basis, as Dr Cox suggested - then - the rest of us perceive you as a profession with a bit of insecurity at its base and core.
Unfortunately, this actually promotes a "reality" which is not real.
We do in fact work well together daily. We marry each other. We give birth & raise children to become physicians, dentists, truck drivers & all sorts of other professions. This site is not reality - which might come as a real surprise to you!
Whatever became of being inoffensive to your fellow human?
You, sir, have offended just about everyone who does not have MD/DO
behind his/her name. I didn't realize that my contributions on the pharmacist's forum were always subject to the whim's & misconceptions of the various physicians who have visited it! Nor did I realize my participation in this site was only as a "guest" & not a valid & significant user in my field.
How arrogant!!!