What you have done to promote blogging in the healthcare field is fantastic!  Dialogue in all directions is the best way to achieve understanding and that is what blogging does.

I only worry that the name of the future site "trusted.md", may discourage those that are not MDs from participating, as the name implies physicians only.  Perhaps that is what you want, and if so, fine, but if you are looking to create a more open space where anyone involved in healthcare, from patient to healthcare provider, from  traditional to complementary are welcome, you may find it easier to accomplish that with a more open name.

Congratulations on your success!

Vreni Gurd

Health and Vitality Coach
BPHE, CHEK 3, HLC 2
www.wellnesstips.ca

Dmitriy, you have accomplished a great deal. It looks like this will be a great growing site.

But, I agree with Vreni, the new address will cause the impression of an only MD site. I understand your comment about the .com, .MD, etc., but no matter what you try to do to make it an open site and encouraging all to visit and participate, that address will work against you.

Why couldn't we keep healthvoices? 

Sorry, I just hate to see any barriers st up at this time and i feel strongly that address is a definate roadblock.

What do others think?

Naomi Giroux M.Ed., RN

Health Educator, Radio Show Host, Author

Hi Dmitriy,

The last thing I want to do is criticize your efforts, because what you are accomplishing is so valuable.  I just see a potential problem created by the optics of the domain name, and thought to bring it up before it became an actual problem, or at least to give you an opportunity to think on it.  Hopefully you are correct, and maybe over time as the .md domain becomes more commonplace and used by people in the health industry that are not physicians, the barrier will dissolve by itself.

I just wonder whether physiotherapists, massage therapists, dietitians, chiropractors, naturopathic doctors or even patients who google for health info would bother to click on the link to take a peek, if the domain name gives the appearance of being for physicians only, even though that is not the case.  I don't think the average person, even those in the health industry, knows that .MD stands for "medical community" rather than "medical doctor".

Both Naomi and I want you to be successful, and are simply pointing out a potential problem.  No matter what you decide to do, please know that you have my support.  I am very grateful for the opportunity that this site provides for dialogue, and for being open to different perspectives on health.

Vreni Gurd

Health and Vitality Coach
BPHE, CHEK 3, HLC 2
www.wellnesstips.ca

Thank you for bringing up my concerns! It's great you've gone the extra mile to make sure that the dissent is heard.

The most important point is that because whistleblowers and critics often write anonymously, their credibility is hobbled no matter what the content of their blog. High profile health care bloggers can help by checking out anonymous blogs and testifying their support with links and positive comments. Unfortunately, though, many high profile bloggers are magnifying the stereotypes by dismissing anonymous blogs out of hand, making derogatory comments based on their assumptions about anonymous blogs, and withholding their support by refraining from linking/blogrolling/mentioning.

I appreciate that high profile bloggers have many demands on their attention/time, and it's all too easy to ignore blogs that don't have a celebrity name or a well-known "brand" attached. I just hope high profile bloggers of good conscience will remember that they can make the difference between a whistleblower being heard (and believed!) or being suppressed by corporate PR.

Everyone - thanks for your input.

Vreni/Naomi: I appreciate your support and you actually reminded me why I liked Trusted.MD to begin with: credibility with general public. Would you rather be part of the site that attracts greater following through use of .MD, or something that is "neutral to the point of ho-hum". I am hoping to create more emphasis on interactive services, rather than only "-voices" going forward. That is involving all healthcare professionals.

Gadfly/Bob: Thanks for your input. I am working on the program now and do want to ensure critical perspective is represented. Not sure though we can dedicate the whole panel to "non-corporate, non-professional" side, as the primary audience is business-focused. But we will include this perspective throughout the program, in the context of the topics up for discussion.

Again - I greatly appreciate the feedback from each of you.

Dmitriy

Great to see things going well, I have an oportunity to develop the diabetic center (DILA) at a county senior facility and would like to see if it is something you would like to explore.

Give a call when you have a chance @ 562.209.0713

Regards

Dr. Pacada

This is good news for trusted.md still, I don't see it when you guys find the time to write on the blog, answer your readers and take care of merges such as this. Congratulations! You are extraordinary people!