Would you offer medical advice online?

caliotter3 · Mar 13, 2007

We are not allowed to do so on this site according to the terms of service. I would not do it, b/c of the liability issues. You just can not see the entire picture on a website. I seriously doubt any doctor would do so either. You can talk about or around a situation, but nothing can be said with certainty. Just not a good idea.

allantiques4me · Mar 13, 2007

Isnt it out of our scope of practice?I wouldnt do it.

whiskeygirl, LPN · Mar 13, 2007

Yeah, I wouldn't do it. I mean other than to say "You need to see/consult with your doctor." I would be concerned with liability issues, for one. And the other, I would be concerned about only seeing half the picture. Often times patients aren't completely forthcoming with us.

If this were me, I would probably mention the above on the thread you are reading then notify the mods.

Balder_LPN, LPN · Mar 13, 2007

But also isnt there a difference here between:

I am pregnant, is it ok for me to take XXXX?

and

What would you say to a pregnant pt who came in and said she was taking xxx and was concerened about safety in pregnancy.

#1 is medical advice #2 is answered on here all the time

whiskeygirl, LPN · Mar 13, 2007

Same answer to both, she needs to speak with her PMD

kittagirl · Mar 13, 2007

You go on to any reputability website that is set up to offer medical advice they will still always give themselves a get out clause of 'consult your personal physician'

I would be very wary of anyone who offers advice like that on a public website.

After all how can you prove that the person offering the advice is actually a nurse?

In reality other than the fact that I've said I'm a nurse and we're on a nursing forum, how do you actually know I'm a nurse, you only have my say so. I could be anyone? :monkeydance:

Silverdragon102, BSN · Mar 13, 2007

I would just refer them to their primary doctor, online how much can you trust the patient to tell you everything correctly and truthfully and not just what they think you want to hear

Pat_Pat RN · Mar 13, 2007

There are actually websites where you (as patient) can input your symptoms and a doctor will review them and send back a reply as to what the possibilities are and what kind of follow-up is probably needed.

Isn't there a difference in "giving medical advice" and just giving facts? If someone asks, "Is it ok for me to take Tylenol while I'm pregnant"; could you not answer, "According to the FDA, Tylenol is a category B drug during pregnancy, which means it could cause harm to your baby, check with your doctor."?

You are giving an answer, without giving your own opinion.

Pat

LovebugLPN · Mar 13, 2007

I am saying that this "nurse" told a person that the doctor was an idiot and that this med was safe. She then went on to say she is a nurse. There may be a reason this pt was told not to take it and if anything happened the pt could become seriously ill and the nurse is putting her license at risk. There are other posters who say "I know what I am talking about because my husband is a nurse". I got treated like I was a terrible person for saying that this was not a good idea and that I would not put my license at risk since I worked so hard for it.

tridil2000, MSN, RN · Mar 13, 2007

Same answer to both, she needs to speak with her PMD

hey, let's say that better!

she needs to speak with her primary care practitioner, who very well could be an np or midwife!

Pat_Pat RN · Mar 13, 2007

If she gave contradicting advice given by her doctor, then that is a different story.

Pat