Why not?

MountainAshIRL

Just wondering why doctor recommendations are not allowed here?

Avatar MIA

$£€$£€$£€$£€$£€

MountainAshIRL

Any mod care to answer my question?

Kurtosis

Hi MountainAshIRL,

I hadn't seen the content of your thread until now and didn't realise it required mod attention (fyi, dropping us forum mods a private message either to ask a question or give us a nudge toward a thread can be a good idea sometimes).

The rule predates my time modding the forum (and Rob's too I think) but I had a dig back through the old charter and it seems to stem from this discussion thread. The issue hasn't been brought up in the Moderation and charter feedback thread at the top of the forum and to be honest, I think a lot of the reasons it was brought in still apply. Having said that, if there are compelling arguments to change it we'd be open to hearing and considering them.

notsoyoungwan

Avatar MIA wrote: »

$£€$£€$£€$£€$£€

Who do you think makes money out of recommendations not being allowed here?

Avatar MIA

notsoyoungwan wrote: »

Who do you think makes money out of recommendations not being allowed here?

Not unlike legal advice, not sure recommending medical practitioners is a good idea.

notsoyoungwan

Avatar MIA wrote: »

Not unlike legal advice, not sure recommending medical practitioners is a good idea.

I think recommending individual doctors and offering medical advice are both bad ideas and should not be permitted here. But I was questioning your reply to the op in which you put dollar, pound and euro signs- I was wondering what you thought the financial reasons for not permitting recommendations were?

Avatar MIA

notsoyoungwan wrote: »

I think recommending individual doctors and offering medical advice are both bad ideas and should not be permitted here. But I was questioning your reply to the op in which you put dollar, pound and euro signs- I was wondering what you thought the financial reasons for not permitting recommendations were?

Poster 1. "I've got X problem, can you recommend a doctor/consultant"
Poster 2. "I've had a great experience with Dr/MR Y and would recommend them. "
Poster 1. "Thanks, will go with your recommendation"

Meanwhile, a few weeks/months later

Poster 1. "OMG, I've just had a horrendous experience with Dr/Mr Y. I would never have gone to Dr/Mr Y if you hadn't recommended it. I have suffered because of this recommendation."
Poser 2/Boards.ie "Um"

Boards.ie could put a disclaimer in the thread, but not sure it would be much protection.

The same could be said for a lot of recommendations on boards.ie, but we're not talking about who would you recommend to fix my washing machine here.

CramCycle

It's protection for the site from legal actions, even if stupid or unwinnable, mounting a defence can be expensive and has a start up cost and even if found to be for the site, the legal costs could be decent if not awarded.

This is why legal and medical advice are not permitted AFAIK

Avatar MIA

CramCycle wrote: »

It's protection for the site from legal actions, even if stupid or unwinnable, mounting a defence can be expensive and has a start up cost and even if found to be for the site, the legal costs could be decent if not awarded.

This is why legal and medical advice are not permitted AFAIK

Our compensation culture is beyond a joke.

As you said, it can quickly become expensive. A claim only has to have a hint of substance and a potential party with liability and insurance companies can go into settle mode.

They'll claim back with higher premiums from the insured anyway.

CramCycle

Avatar MIA wrote: »

Our compensation culture is beyond a joke.

As you said, it can quickly become expensive. A claim only has to have a hint of substance and a potential party with liability and insurance companies can go into settle mode.

They'll claim back with higher premiums from the insured anyway.

Completely agree but it is the world we live in. I would obviously prefer if we had a culture of, if you were stupid enough to do it, you are ignorant enough to live with the consequences.

I have been recommended doctors and given medical advice from friends, never have I considered suing them when it did not pan out. i may have told them it didn't work but that's about it.

Some countries are maneuvering towards legislation to reduce this culture eg whiplash has been removed as an injury that can be claimed for in a RTA etc.

notsoyoungwan

Avatar MIA wrote: »

Poster 1. "I've got X problem, can you recommend a doctor/consultant"
Poster 2. "I've had a great experience with Dr/MR Y and would recommend them. "
Poster 1. "Thanks, will go with your recommendation"

Meanwhile, a few weeks/months later

Poster 1. "OMG, I've just had a horrendous experience with Dr/Mr Y. I would never have gone to Dr/Mr Y if you hadn't recommended it. I have suffered because of this recommendation."
Poser 2/Boards.ie "Um"

Boards.ie could put a disclaimer in the thread, but not sure it would be much protection.

The same could be said for a lot of recommendations on boards.ie, but we're not talking about who would you recommend to fix my washing machine here.

Ah I get you now, thanks. I was t looking at it from that point of view. I thought you were insinuating that recommendations aren't allowed as they might prevent doctors making money (I know that doesn't make sense, but there's been plenty posters who go on about GPs and referrals as if the process is purely money-making etc, so I jumped on the defensive and assumed that's the angle you were taking- sorry!)