07/23/2013    Name Withheld (TX)

Healthboards and Podiatry

Healthboards is one of the largest consumer
healthcare forums in the U.S. They are discussion
boards covering a broad range of health concerns
including one for "Foot Problems."

A patient anticipating surgery recently made me
aware of the discussions concerning her foot
problem and the Foot Problems board on
Healthboards. She presented with questions
concerning the proposed procedure based on what
is feel is gross misinformation about her
condition posted on the boards and
misrepresentations made by "posters" on the Board
about the qualifications of podiatrists and our
training.

It is easy to understand how varying information
and patient experiences on such a forum could
lead to confusion but I am alarmed after reading
comments about the podiatric profession which, in
my opinion, are not only inaccurate and border on
libel. The patient, after I informed her about
our training and board certification process,
stated that she returned to the Board but her
post was rejected by a moderator.

It is interesting to note that there are a number
of individuals posting on the "Foot Problems"
Board of Healthboards who appear to have a
negative opinion of Podiatry and repeatedly post
misinformation about the qualifications and
training of podiatric surgeons.

There is one poster utilizing the name, "Titchou"
who has over 13,000 posts on Healthboards and
appears to be one of the most ardent detractors
of our profession. Titchou claims to be just a
patient who had foot surgery but, based on her
knowledge base and apparent free run of the site,
may have administrative privileges as well as
medical training.

Name Withheld(TX)

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