# Relaxation in policy about not asking for medical/legal advice? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [August 8, 2010, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relaxation-in-policy-about-not-asking-for-medical-legal-advice/549617 "2010-08-08T19:33:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relaxation-in-policy-about-not-asking-for-medical-legal-advice/549617/41 "2010-08-10T05:55:19Z")
> [@picunurse](#): > > May I make an observation that seems to be oft overlooked in the medical advice request threads? It IS illegal in the US to dispense medical advice if you are not a physician. It IS practicing without a license. Do you have a cite for this? I find this hard to believe. According to what you wrote, if my neighbor tells me she has I headache and I reply with “take an Advil; you’ll feel better”, I could be found guilty of practicing medicine without a license. This law wouldn’t be very good for chiropractors, ear candlers and parents advising their children. ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Zotti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2010, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relaxation-in-policy-about-not-asking-for-medical-legal-advice/549617/42 "2010-08-16T18:22:38Z")
We wanted to clarify SDMB policy about asking or giving professional advice. The registration agreement states: “Users should be particularly wary of medical, legal or other professional advice posted on the message board and recognize that it is no substitute for in-person consultation with a competent professional.” This is more of a notice than a rule. Over the years, however, it has been subject to interpretive drift. I may have contributed to this. In this post a couple years ago: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10406759&postcount=7](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10406759&postcount=7) … I said: > [@](#): > > We would object to comments of the form, “You have serious condition Y and therefore should take medication X,” and would likely delete or edit the post, warn the poster, and take other appropriate measures. By saying what we would do in the extreme case, I may have created the impression that we don’t allow threads asking for professional advice. That wasn’t the intention, so let me restate the policy and add a tweak: 1. It’s not against our rules to request or offer advice on medical, legal or similar topics. Users are cautioned against placing too much trust in advice they receive. If you have a serious problem, consult a professional. We may restate this caution in advice threads. 2. \*\*Threads requesting professional advice should be posted in the In My Humble Opinion forum. \*\* (This is the tweak.) We hope this will underscore the fact that you’re simply getting personal opinions, not professional consultation. 3. We reserve the right to take appropriate steps when the situation demands - 'nuff said. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2010, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relaxation-in-policy-about-not-asking-for-medical-legal-advice/549617/43 "2010-08-16T18:30:39Z")
Huh. So many times I have seen something like “Do not ask for legal/medical advice here. Thread closed,” and not once “As you are requesting opinions, this will be moved from GQ to IMHO,” or “Please note the posts here are strictly the opinions of board users, and should be taken as such.” Well glad to see it’s finally okay now. And I mean actually okay, not technically-within-the-rules-okay-but-in-practice-it’s-not-allowed. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2010, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relaxation-in-policy-about-not-asking-for-medical-legal-advice/549617/44 "2010-08-16T18:41:27Z")
Thank you. This is a good change. ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2010, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relaxation-in-policy-about-not-asking-for-medical-legal-advice/549617/45 "2010-08-16T20:34:34Z")
Totally off topic, but many people here were complaining about things you were discussing in the “mod loop”. How about having someone who has no “mod powers”, but is party to the “mod loop” to act as “ombudsman”. No powers, no authority, but he/she can tell the complainers that “it’s being addressed, they are discussing it now.” and can also inject the users’ issues into the “mod loop” discussion? The “ombudsman” would obviously have to be a new member of the “staff”, but could conceivably be someone the L-users elected. Just a thought to hopefully avoid this thread’s problems. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2010, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relaxation-in-policy-about-not-asking-for-medical-legal-advice/549617/46 "2010-08-16T20:41:58Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Thank you. This is a good change. Seconded. I’ve always thought we were overly cautious about this stuff, nice to see such a common sense approach put in place. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2010, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relaxation-in-policy-about-not-asking-for-medical-legal-advice/549617/47 "2010-08-16T21:10:56Z")
> [@Cheshire\_Human](#): > > Totally off topic, but many people here were complaining about things you were discussing in the “mod loop”. How about having someone who has no “mod powers”, but is party to the “mod loop” to act as “ombudsman”. No powers, no authority, but he/she can tell the complainers that “it’s being addressed, they are discussing it now.” and can also inject the users’ issues into the “mod loop” discussion? The “ombudsman” would obviously have to be a new member of the “staff”, but could conceivably be someone the L-users elected. Just a thought to hopefully avoid this thread’s problems. Is that really necessary, seeing as how the mods are also users of this message board? Anyone picked by The Powers That Be to be an ombudsman would not be any more immune to accusations of secretiveness by others than the mods and admins are now, imho. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2010, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relaxation-in-policy-about-not-asking-for-medical-legal-advice/549617/48 "2010-08-17T02:05:46Z")
I think that a rule asking question of a non-life-or-death sitrep like “I have terrible gas” or “I have this itch” should be OK. As long as at least one of the 1st posters sez “See your MD if it gets worse” etc etc. Cubsfan question seems innocuous. I’d be really against “What alternate cancer treatments can I try?” Mind you, any symptom- or even lack of symptoms- can end up as something serious. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2010, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relaxation-in-policy-about-not-asking-for-medical-legal-advice/549617/49 "2010-08-17T02:13:00Z")
Per the revised policy, we have revised the [General Questions Rules](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=466202) slightly: > [@](#): > > **8. No homework questions or requests for specific legal or medical advice.** We won’t help with your homework, and you can’t get reliable legal or medical advice here, either. Threads asking about _general_ legal or medical issues are fine. Questions about your own case should be posted in IMHO, since no factual answers can be provided except by a legal or medical professional who is personally familiar with your case. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2010, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relaxation-in-policy-about-not-asking-for-medical-legal-advice/549617/50 "2010-08-17T02:14:38Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I’d be really against “What alternate cancer treatments can I try?” > > Mind you, any symptom- or even lack of symptoms- can end up as something serious. That would be why Ed said > [@](#): > > 1. We reserve the right to take appropriate steps when the situation demands - 'nuff said. . ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2010, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relaxation-in-policy-about-not-asking-for-medical-legal-advice/549617/51 "2010-08-17T02:17:32Z")
We’re also unlikely to allow a legal advice thread for someone who wants to know how to beat the rap for 24 serial killings. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2010, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relaxation-in-policy-about-not-asking-for-medical-legal-advice/549617/52 "2010-08-17T02:27:18Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > We’re also unlikely to allow a legal advice thread for someone who wants to know how to beat the rap for 24 serial killings. 😉 What’s the official cutoff for the number of murders I can seek legal advice about? ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Zotti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2010, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relaxation-in-policy-about-not-asking-for-medical-legal-advice/549617/53 "2010-08-17T02:31:23Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > > [@DrDeth](#): > > > > I’d be really against “What alternate cancer treatments can I try?” > > > > Mind you, any symptom- or even lack of symptoms- can end up as something serious. > > That would be why Ed said > > > [@](#): > > > > 1. We reserve the right to take appropriate steps when the situation demands - 'nuff said. > > . Precisely. ---
**Author:** ![Klaatu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Klaatu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Klaatu)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2010, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relaxation-in-policy-about-not-asking-for-medical-legal-advice/549617/54 "2010-08-17T03:10:04Z")
First off, I address this to the Teeming Millions at large, not an individual. I don’t understand why this is even an issue. Are some of you so stupid you need to ask for medical/legal et al advice on a freaking general interest message board? Sure, there are competent doctors and lawyers who post here, but why in the flying fuck would you ask that kind of crap here. They aren’t going to give you real advice anyway unless they are idiots. Sure, I could post “Hey Qadgop, if I cut my pecker off with a pickle slicer should I go to the hospital?” and he would say “That’s probably a good idea.” But you people who post bullshit like “I was diagnosed with whatever or I have been taking whatever for 10 years and I do this or that so should I do this or that…?” Sweet fucking Og! What the fuck is wrong with you? “My doctor cut off the wrong leg. The Pit. I had a heart attack when they prescribed me the wrong meds. the Pit. I have been diagnosed with dumbitosis and they put me on a regimen of moronisporin, should I change the dose?”. Don’t fucking post it. It’s not that difficult. ---
**Author:** ![critter42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ba0ec/32.png) [@critter42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/critter42)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2010, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relaxation-in-policy-about-not-asking-for-medical-legal-advice/549617/55 "2010-08-17T06:40:07Z")
> [@Klaatu](#): > > First off, I address this to the Teeming Millions at large, not an individual. > > I don’t understand why this is even an issue. Are some of you so stupid you need to ask for medical/legal et al advice on a freaking general interest message board? > > Sure, there are competent doctors and lawyers who post here, but why in the flying fuck would you ask that kind of crap here. They aren’t going to give you real advice anyway unless they are idiots. > > Sure, I could post “Hey Qadgop, if I cut my pecker off with a pickle slicer should I go to the hospital?” and he would say “That’s probably a good idea.” > > But you people who post bullshit like “I was diagnosed with whatever or I have been taking whatever for 10 years and I do this or that so should I do this or that…?” Sweet fucking Og! What the fuck is wrong with you? > > “My doctor cut off the wrong leg. The Pit. I had a heart attack when they prescribed me the wrong meds. the Pit. I have been diagnosed with dumbitosis and they put me on a regimen of moronisporin, should I change the dose?”. > > Don’t fucking post it. It’s not that difficult. As one of the millions - but not speaking for them, I’ll say that it’s not for you to judge what someone does or does not do on a board. If you don’t want to see it, or think it’s “stupid” don’t read it It’s not that difficult. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2010, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relaxation-in-policy-about-not-asking-for-medical-legal-advice/549617/56 "2010-08-17T08:57:16Z")
> [@Gfactor](#): > > **Alice** said we recently changed the policy. I’ve pointed out that we’ve had the same policy on the books since November 2008. Okay, NOW will you offer **Alice** a crumb of thanks for pointing out that you have NOT had the same policy on the books, nor have you been enforicing it consistently, instead of what you’ve been offering her, which is telling her that she’s making apples out of oranges, mountains out of molehills, and water out of wine? She started this thread asking for a simple clarification of a confusing policy, **Ed** had to come in here and clarify the policy in a fairly bold revision of past policy, and no one has yet backed off all the hostility leveled at \*\*Alice \*\*in the first few posts here by various Mods and Admins… is it that hard to summon up a little grace and class? ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2010, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relaxation-in-policy-about-not-asking-for-medical-legal-advice/549617/57 "2010-08-17T11:29:20Z")
Jesus. Being a mod on this board sure is a thankless task. The word picayune comes to mind. That said, substantively, I think this relaxation or reinterpretation or whatever is a poor idea. As I’ve said before, asking for professional advice in this type of forum self-selects for bad advice. Because those of use who know what we’re talking about understand that we don’t have sufficient understanding of the relevant facts to offer competent advice, and we understand the negative consequences (to us professionally, but more importantly and more commonly, to the advice seeker) that doling out casual advice can engender. So the only people who do respond are those who have no conception of the relevant areas of professional expertise and no appreciation of the consequences of bad advice being given. –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2010, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relaxation-in-policy-about-not-asking-for-medical-legal-advice/549617/58 "2010-08-17T11:49:50Z")
Thanks Alice!😃 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relaxation-in-policy-about-not-asking-for-medical-legal-advice/549617/59 "2010-08-18T04:07:05Z")
> [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > > [@samclem](#): > > > > That would be why Ed said . > > Precisely. Ok, then, sounds reasonable. **Klaatu** - I can see a use for asking about flatulence (or similar minor issues) here rather than bothering your MD about it. (Probiotics, Chlorophyll, Beano) 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relaxation-in-policy-about-not-asking-for-medical-legal-advice/549617/60 "2010-08-18T04:20:08Z")
Thanks for clarifying things, and **Gfactor** , stay classy!😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relaxation-in-policy-about-not-asking-for-medical-legal-advice/549617.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relaxation-in-policy-about-not-asking-for-medical-legal-advice/549617.md?page=4)