All.
We Admins thought it might be useful to produce a few pointers on how to get the best out of your engagements with the forum, avoid some of the common pitfalls that may impact on the level of support we are able to offer, and assist in the maintenance of good community spirit. So...here goes...
DO
1. Give sufficient and relevant information to obtain the best response to your post. This is especially important when making a first post in the forum, since it's very difficult to offer advice and support without having some background information. For instance, current diagnosis / medical conditions (B12 deficiency, Pernicious Anaemia, et al), tests already undertaken (together with the results, if available). Try to include any other information that will help forum members to give appropriate support.
2. Try to write a post title that expresses what information or support you are looking for. This will attract responses from those best placed to advise on the particular topic or issue(s) involved. For example - if you are seeking advice about a treatment in or travel to a particular country/region include that in the title.
3. When posting blood results for help with interpretation, please include the reference ranges (the two figures following the actual blood result). Blood results are meaningless without the reference ranges since different labs use different reference ranges and/or different measurement units (ng/L, pmol/L etc.).
4. If posting images of blood results, ensure that they do not contain any personal identifying information (i.e. your name, medical reference number, GP or health professional identifiers etc).
5. Make a new post for your new questions, comments, or updates. Added comments or questions to an old or previous post are not seen by the whole forum, only by those who may have followed the original post. This will result in a lack of response and hence an absence of support from the forum.
6. Avoid adding comments or questions to any old posts in the forum. These will not be seen by the whole forum, and hence no response will be forthcoming.
5. Post updates on progress. Forum members always welcome updates on how folks are doing, especially where intensive support has been given in the initial stages. (But please also note point 7, below). It's always great to hear good news and forum members are always happy to offer further advice and support, so...
6. Always return for further advice, if required. PA and B12 deficiency are complex conditions and it's not possible to cover everything that could or should be said in one post 'session'.
7. Do be aware that this forum does not operate in the same way as other social media platforms, where short multiple post appear to be the 'norm'. Posting 'one-line' comments or multiple posts on a daily basis is not a good way to proceed, will have a negative impact on the level of response, and run the risk of 'irritating' other forum members (for want of a better way of putting it). It's always better to 'roll-up' questions and updates in one post and then post periodically, rather than posting multiple posts on a daily basis.
8. Always express differences of opinion in a constructive and considerate way.
9. Please use the REPORT function to advise the Admin team of any post that contains dangerous or misleading advice, offensive or abusive comments, trolling, spam, or anything else that you feel is inappropriate. The report button can be found in the 'arrow' drop down menu at the bottom of each post or reply. A report form will appear on the screen - please complete and try to add a few words to explain why you are submitting the report. Reports of abuse go directly to all the Admin team and will be dealt with a quickly as possible (by whoever sees it first).
10. Do read the PAS pinned posts (to the right of the forum when you log-on or at the top/bottom if using a mobile phone). These give a wealth of information and reading them will help you decide what questions or support to request. Press the show more or view all button to make all the pinned posts visible.
11. Be aware that this is a public forum and anything posted in it may be discovered through internet searches and may be streamed to other platforms by Health Unlocked (i.e. NHS Choices, HU Facebook page etc.). For more information about privacy/locking posts, please see guidance in the Privacy Reminder, contained in the pinned posts.
12. Be aware that advice and support offered in the forum does NOT constitute medical advice. Always seek medical advice from an appropriately qualified medical practitioner and do not stop or change current treatment without discussing it with them first.
DO NOT
13. Post your own 'new' question (hijack) another forum member's post. It's always better to post your own questions in a new post, so that it's seen by the whole forum. This will enable a much better and focused response to your own concerns/issues. Notwithstanding, 'conversations' do develop in post threads, so just be aware of the (sometimes subtle) difference between joining a conversation and hijacking somebody else’s post.
14. Publish the names of individual health care practitioners, email addresses, telephone numbers, or any personally identifying information. (Naming those connected to research or publications etc. is acceptable)
15. Write derogatory or negative/damaging references about named individuals or health care practitioners. This may lead to claims related to defamation of character.
16. Advertise commercial products or services...all such posts will be deleted and may result in restriction from the forum.
17. Do not present yourself as a qualified health care professional and offer support or advice in that guise.
Finally, please read these 'tips' in conjunction with the forum Privacy Reminder and the Comminity Guidelines, which can be found in the pinned posts section.
This post will be left open for replies for a short period of time so if anything has been missed or you would like to suggest other additions, please leave comments in the reply section.
Thanks all.
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