Hey, there's a new one on the block! How about the people who ask either hypothetical questions and/or questions for their friends. When I suggested that burnout is possible and to get a life and have fun, I didn't get much clarity either. So 'the world is still turning', stangely for some, it's the other way around...

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I even got brave enough to suggest that if they were writing a book, to ask us for input on the title..

Jokes? A Katie Horny posted this on another site, ''I've got to pee but there are no toilets, what should I do?'' There are 4 answers that look like serious ones to me. None of them were mine.

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Originally Posted by labman

Jokes? A Katie Horny posted this on another site, ''I've got to pee but there are no toilets, what should I do?'' There are 4 answers that look like serious ones to me. None of them were mine.

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http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gif That's a jewel, please send us the link if you can still find it.

Great Site - I added it to my favorites.

What is it with the multiple posts *bashes head on desk*
Don't they understand what this https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/images/buttons/edit.gif nice little button does!!

Well from the icon, it looks like its cuts the document to shreds ;)

Well in some cases the posts should be cut to shreds :o

Also read those posts.So has admin... stay tuned.

I just pressed that button,and a voice said "please dont press that button again!!"

Honest :D

Bet it doesn't make decent tea either ;)

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Originally Posted by Curlyben

Well in some cases the posts should be cut to shreds :o

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In some cases the posters should be cut to shreds. :D

Careful

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Originally Posted by Nez

I just pressed that button,and a voice said "please dont press that button again!!"

Honest :D

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You and Curlyben are right about that - and I thought I was paranoid, thanks for your help.
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/8/8_8_36.gifStarting early - good brain food!

Another thing that bothers me, or rather, worries me, is when people come on here with serious medical questions, either for themselves or their pets. My husband is a doctor, and he's read several posts on the site where he thinks people need to go to a doctor asap rather than coming here. I guess maybe people just need reassurance that their condition is serious enough for a doctor's visit, or maybe live in a country where they have to pay for the doctor and can't afford it, but... it kind of scares me. Like what if a person comes on and reports a certain symptom, and a member tells them it's nothing to worry about, when in reality it's a serious condition in need of medical care? Even if an expert is a doctor, like my husband, his ability to help here is limited. He can't make a diagnosis online, and he also can't advise past certain general points. For a definitive diagnosis, people need to have medical tests.

And when it comes to pets, I've noticed people writing things like, "my dog hasn't eaten for 4 days", "my cat won't drink water", "my animal is bleeding". Those are serious symptoms IMO. The animals should be taken to the vet right away!

Good point. I am afraid too many times people do come here for a diagnosis and cure. Some may just lack experience and not be sure what is worth getting help for. Often somebody with a good background can say yes, no, and wait until Monday. What I hate to see is somebody saying my dog had etc. and the vet treated it with... The dog may or may not have the same thing. I seldom see anybody that knows dogs very well recommending a treatment. Others, well...

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Originally Posted by orange

Another thing that bothers me, or rather, worries me, is when people come on here with serious medical questions, either for themselves or their pets.

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That is definitely a concern of sites like this. Its more worrisome with medical issues, but concerns all the forums.

Someone could give advice about beauty tips but to someone with an allergy that could cause serious damage, even death! Someone could give legal advice that could cause a person to wind up in jail. Someone could give financial advice, that could cause the loss of a great deal of money. Someone could give advice about a computer that could result in the loss of important data.

I believe that this site, like others of its type, has a disclaimer somewhere that essentially is caveat emptor. ANYONE who makes important, especially life or death decisions based solely on advice they get on a site like this is being foolish In my opinion.

But that still doesn't excuse someone given advice unless they are sure of themselves. Unfortunately there are people out there doing so. They care more about their own egos then the quality of advice they give. This is why I have been adamant about advocating that all questions be kept public. And why I like the comments/rating system we have here. Keeping questions public allow for peer review. It gives others a chance to correct mistaken advice. Which is one of the uses of the comments/ratings feature.

But In my opinion, any serious questions about health should at least include advice to see a doctor. In some cases it should be the ONLY advice given. I feel similarly about some legal and financial issues. I think some people have been, at best, irresponsible in the advice they have given.

As others may have noticed, I have been a champion of the quality of the advice given. I think anyone who decides to give advice on a site like this takes on a responsibility and I for one, take that responsibility very seriously. I'm not sure about others. I've encountered people who do it for their own self aggrandizement or just for fun. And while it can be enjoyable, the responsibility should come before the pleasure.

Getting down off my soapbox now
Scott<>

Good point to raise

Good points. The asker often is not the best judge of an answer.

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Originally Posted by orange

Another thing that bothers me, or rather, worries me, is when people come on here with serious medical questions, either for themselves or their pets. My husband is a doctor, and he's read several posts on the site where he thinks people need to go to a doctor asap rather than coming here. I guess maybe people just need reassurance that their condition is serious enough for a doctor's visit, or maybe live in a country where they have to pay for the doctor and can't afford it, but... it kind of scares me. Like what if a person comes on and reports a certain symptom, and a member tells them it's nothing to worry about, when in reality it's a serious condition in need of medical care? Even if an expert is a doctor, like my husband, his ability to help here is limited. He can't make a diagnosis online, and he also can't advise past certain general points. For a definitive diagnosis, people need to have medical tests.

And when it comes to pets, I've noticed people writing things like, "my dog hasn't eaten for 4 days", "my cat won't drink water", "my animal is bleeding". Those are serious symptoms IMO. The animals should be taken to the vet right away!

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Welcome back,and hope your honeymoon was great - even with Alex's ailment.

Alex is right, some people may not be able to see a doctor due to financial reasons, but don't know how serious their problems could be. We can advise, give examples, (trying not to be too scary even though some really need one heck of a scare to finally do something), and emphasize that the golden rule is to see the doctor as soon as possible. There is no way anyone can make a diagnosis online - not for humans, and not for animals either. If my pet does not eat or drink for 4 days, then I evidently did something wrong by not taking it to the vet on the 2d day - instead of waiting.

Human patients should take their bodies more serious, but some do it when it's too late. If they don't ask online, they probably ask their neighbors. Plus, the "HELP!!!!!" typing does not do any good.
We can try and re-iterate that the body is important and needs taking care of, which is far better than not answering at all, though.

There are some countries that will accept patients without insurance, or the state has an insurance plan for all, then the excuse there is "it takes too long to get to see a doctor". So it's a "you're damned if you do, and damned if you don't" situation.

I'm very relieved that someone else voiced the fear I also have in this regard, but it's very evident that people will continue to use this 'shortcut' or we would not see so many medical sites on the internet.

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showth...5333#post85333

I thought I'd seen them all!

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