Bogus Doctors on YA - 'Misrepresentation'?

Question

On Yahoo Answers there are some people who use the title 'Dr' but I suspect - and others agree - that they are bogus - they are not Doctors.

We all know the genuine ones - 'Dr Chris Steele' and 'Dr Simon' are genuine for example.

Has anybody else out there had plain wrong or dodgy advice from a Bogus Doctor on here?

PLEASE NOTE - to clarify, I am NOT just talking about medical doctors, I mean anybody who uses the title who is not entitled to is misrepresentation.

I only mentioned Dr Steele and Dr Simon as I know for a fact they are both doctors who have been varified by YA for one reason and another.

I am just posting this question to get a heads up out there, unless you can see why a person calles them selves Dr - be cautious.

Answer 1

There are many other YA answerers who apply bogus qualifications, simply to boost their own egos. I don't really mind if someone does not believe I am , or rather was, a GP. I am now retired and simply answer health questions to try and help people.

Answer 2

If they are from the UK then the General Medical Council actually prohibit genuine "doctors" from giving advice via the internet as a doctor. I would question all on here, including myself, whether people claim to be doctors or not. Any doctor will tell you that you need to see your patients, and this is not a good medium for that. Anyone who claims to be a doctor is just for some strange reason trying to gain support, which given no one knows who they are, and never will, seems frankly ludicrous.

I find the best Q+A's on here are about people finding an answer from someone talking in the first person perspective.

JUst to inform Dr Simon that the GMC DOES prohibit the giving of advice and opinions when you are actually attempting to use your medical qualifications to gain weight to a debate. it is unethical and goes against the very basics of what a doctor requires to pass informtion to a patient

Answer 3

What's in a name? My name probably makes me sound like a werewolf who gets lucky at the casino, but does anyone say I'm "misrepresenting" myself? If they do, I have yet to hear it... Some people use "Dr." in their name just because they think it sounds good. For example, would you say a person with the username "Dr. Evil" was pretending to be a doctor, just because their name contained the title? Also, keep in mind that other people besides medical doctors may have the title Dr.; such people may include acupuncturists, massage therapists, homeopathic practitioners, chiropractors, and even people whose job has nothing to do with taking care of people, like college professors and anyone with a PhD. Unless they directly say "I'm a doctor" or something along those lines, I don't assume that about them. (The same goes for avatars- a nurse hat, lab coat, or doctor's office background doesn't make someone more credible- consistently good answers and possibly Top Contributor status do.)

Answer 4

There are other careers that grant a "doctor" title but they are not Medical (medical school trained) doctors, but they are still "doctors" (chiropractors, naturpathic doctors, doctors of acupuncture, homeopaths, etc). Foreign medical school graduates are also "doctors" but may not be licensed in the US. You just have to be careful when getting advice on something important of a info sharing, unregulated site like YA.

Answer 5

Dr Who is a real doctor. And Dr. Chris Steele is definitely real because he used to be MY doctor.

Answer 6

The person could be using it as a knickname or they could be a Ph.D. They are also called Dr. A person doesn't have to be a medical doctor to be called Dr.

Answer 7

Hi

First - the GMC does NOT prohibit medical advice/opinions being given via the internet - it only prohibits diagnosis.

Second - A person claiming to be qualified to a level which entitles the use of the title 'Dr' should put their CV in their profile.

When I get to know people well via email on here I always provide my reg numbers so they can check me out.

Anyway, you can use common sense and look at a persons answers to see if they are qualified as they say they are.

'Dr Franks' answers tend to be one liners and offer no real help or show any clinical experience and they can usually be traced to cut and paste of other sites, and 'Dr Mojo' pinches my answers and re-posts them!!

It's up to you guys out there who you trust and who you dont, but people who post serious, life changing medical questions on YA are asking for trouble.

Answer 8

It can not become misrepresentation when you are on YA, this is not a register qualifying account, these are screen names that are being used, if they completely diagnose and give out prescription than we have a problem until then its just an answer and questions site. Don't rely on this site alone to answer your question please reference your answer if you have concern.

Answer 9

Hi

There are a couple I am curious aboit.

'Dr Frank' gives very brief responses that dont reflect experience or enthapy and most of his answers are 'cut n paste' from other sites - this has been noticed by many other users.

Also, he should have a profile detailing his back ground and qualifications - like I do.

There are lots of people on here who call them selves Doctor when they are no which is against YA rules.

If they dont have an honest profile, doubt their claims.

Answer 10

Why do you trust anything you read on the Internet... it can be a useful source of information but you should confirm it with a real doctor.