Writer seeks interviewees

[mimi1130]

I'm a writer working on an article on people who access the internet for medical information.
If anyone is interested in talking about their online experiences, I'd like to hear from you.
Thank you.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Come on now don't be shy.
JCH MD

[russell903]

I would be interested in talking to you about this matter of accessing medical info from the net.  let me know how it can be done.  Russell903

[JodieJ]

After the local doctors told me that my condition (retinally-induced aniseikonia) was "untreatable," I turned to the internet.  By reading the latest research online and emailing the authors, I was eventually successful at finding effective treatment.  I'm not sure if this is the type of online experience you're interested in writing about.  

[Laceybug77]

Medical information in general or eye health?  I use the net for basic understanding of diabetes and nutrition, but it's not reliable for a lot of things.  People rely on it probably more than they should and there's a lot of self diagnosis going on.  Still, for those of us without medical insurance forums like this help a lot for support and understanding certain things about conditions that the doctors don't/can't take time to help us with. Obviously, JodieJ found it useful, but I think a majority of Americans want quick fixes and the bottom line so they don't go to the extent of actually researching things like they should. I guess it depends on the angle you are seeking for whatever you are writing.  If you want to talk more I don' t mind :)

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

JodieJ, Russell and LB77

The writer is writing on behalf of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in the EyeNet magazine about the MedHelp.org website. She feels that talking to people that post here would add to the depth and clarity of her article.

Your name need not be used. The interview shouldn't take long and can be done by e mail or phone.

If you are interested go to the "Doctors" profiles on this website, it has my office phone number call and tell the Call Center you want to leave a message for Dr. Hagan. You can leave a phone number, a fax number, your email address and either your handle or your real name and I will pass it on to the author.

John C. Hagan III MD

[dukey]

I'm happy to take part in this if you are still looking for people?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

I can't speak for the writer. If you're interested leave the message tomorrow morning and I'll e mail her everyone that leave contact information.

JCH MD

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

JodieJ thanks for the call and information I have sent them to the writer. Her name is Merriam.

JCH MD

[JodieJ]

I'd be happy to be interviewed by Merriam.  I'm wondering if it would be possible for her to contact other volunteers by sending them a personal message through this website.  I think she'd get a lot more subjects to interview that way.  The interviews could be done by phone, email, or personal messages.  Some people might feel more comfortable if they could maintain this level of anonymity.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

JodieJ she's interviewed all four clinic physicians and Cindy Thompson the co-founder of MedHelp.org and Lerbea. I think she only needs to talk to one more person.  As articulate, and intelligent as you are and as much as you've been through with your eyes you would be the ideal "final" interview.

This is uncharted territory. There are very few medical studies conducted on health websites. Dr. Kutryb and my paper is the ONLY one in ophthalmology.

We are hoping that protocols will be developed to study un-mined clinical data at health sites.

Thanks again for all your time and commitment to these eyecare forums.

JCH MD