Consider a therapist February 27, 2009 11:23 AM   Subscribe

Is there, has there ever been, or could there be, a Metafiler physician directory?

Or even just therapists. People on AskMe are constantly asking for doctor recs, and especially therapist recs. And we are constantly telling people to who obviously have no regular physician that they need to go to the doctor.

Is there any way to put all this information in one place for people? Does such a thing already exist? I know there are some doctor review sites out there, but I have never seen a really good, AskMe-calibre one.

Thoughts?
posted by Mender to Feature Requests at 11:23 AM (63 comments total) 1 user marked this as a favorite

This is assembleable via all the questions in AskMe and could be put on the wiki, but it seems like it would just be an open heyday for nitpicking and we definitely don't have any expertise as a group for this sort of thing, just a short list of recommendations oftentimes just by one or two people. I think it's a decent idea in a general sense, but most of the "anyone know a good dentist" types of questions I've seen usually just have a handful of answers.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 11:29 AM on February 27, 2009


Metafilter Physician?

Why? Is MeFi sick?
posted by jonmc at 11:31 AM on February 27, 2009 [1 favorite]


Listen, Doctors are going to be cutting on your flesh and sticking all sorts of shit into your body. You need to do a lot more work than just reading Metafilter.
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 11:33 AM on February 27, 2009 [1 favorite]


Sounds like a recipe for a lawsuit to me.
posted by Meatbomb at 11:38 AM on February 27, 2009


MePhy, heal thyself.
posted by rtha at 11:39 AM on February 27, 2009


HELLO LAWSUIT!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:45 AM on February 27, 2009


Obviously I need to be a lot more paranoid, lawsuit-wise. OK, never mind.
posted by Mender at 11:47 AM on February 27, 2009


Or even just therapists.

Yeah, get an M.D. luuzers, amirite?

I think that a listing, or even a wiki article of people who's first sentence is going to be something like "This is information only not medical advice, you should seek out the treatment of a local qualified professional." is a dumb idea.

Plus there's been no mention of consent. Does a doc or therapist who comes to MeFi to learn or unwind want a database or wiki article somewhere telling people to seek him or her out via MeMail or contact info in the user page? That could get weird and creepy.
posted by Science! at 11:50 AM on February 27, 2009


We had ikkyu2.

Had? Wha happen...?
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 11:55 AM on February 27, 2009


Well, we had the best. We had ikkyu2.

He's not dead.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 11:56 AM on February 27, 2009


If it helps any, I have a doctorate in metaphysics from the Universal Life Church.
posted by Astro Zombie at 11:56 AM on February 27, 2009 [1 favorite]


I don't like the idea of a metaphysician directory; in addition to the problems jessamyn mentions, the amount of information that would need to go into such directory could potentially make it bigger than the rest of the sites combined. And like many review sites, physician directories can attract disgruntled patients (and no doc pleases all his patients) and so can become a litany of grievances rather than helpful information. The reason you have never seen an Ask-Me caliber doctor review site is because it would be very hard to do.
posted by TedW at 11:57 AM on February 27, 2009


Had? Wha happen...?

He left.
posted by rtha at 12:00 PM on February 27, 2009


Had. But maybe he'll be back? I hope so, he's missed.
posted by Who_Am_I at 12:03 PM on February 27, 2009 [1 favorite]


No physician directory please.

Had? Wha happen...?

Flameout or principles, you decide.
posted by BrotherCaine at 12:08 PM on February 27, 2009


Too bad about ikkyu2. He was kinda grumpy, but in one of my only anonymous questions he gave an answer (non-medical) that has helped me immensely. It really changed how I looked at my situation. Very grateful.
posted by milarepa at 12:09 PM on February 27, 2009


Plus there's been no mention of consent. Does a doc or therapist who comes to MeFi to learn or unwind want a database or wiki article somewhere telling people to seek him or her out via MeMail or contact info in the user page? That could get weird and creepy.

Wait, what? I'm not talking about a directory of doctors who are members of Metafilter, but rather a directory of answers to questions like the one jessamyn mentioned, ie "I need a good dentist in Chicago." These questions do show up on a fairly regular basis.

But, all the points about the difficulty of this and the potential legal pitfalls are well taken.
posted by Mender at 12:11 PM on February 27, 2009


ikkyu2's gone? fuck... I enjoyed his posts.
posted by crapmatic at 12:12 PM on February 27, 2009


MenderPoster: "Plus there's been no mention of consent. Does a doc or therapist who comes to MeFi to learn or unwind want a database or wiki article somewhere telling people to seek him or her out via MeMail or contact info in the user page? That could get weird and creepy.

Wait, what? I'm not talking about a directory of doctors who are members of Metafilter, but rather a directory of answers to questions like the one jessamyn mentioned, ie "I need a good dentist in Chicago." These questions do show up on a fairly regular basis.

But, all the points about the difficulty of this and the potential legal pitfalls are well taken.
"

Oh, shit sorry. I totally misread your post.
posted by Science! at 12:20 PM on February 27, 2009


Dr.: What seems to be the problem?
Metafilter: It hurts when I do this (clicks MeFi Dr. Directory).
Dr.: Well, don't do that.
posted by Bernt Pancreas at 12:21 PM on February 27, 2009


I was all ready to come in here and be jokey, but after reading those ikkyu2 threads, I'm all kinds of bummed out now. Time for a Diet Coke.
posted by slogger at 12:27 PM on February 27, 2009


Too bad about ikkyu2. He was kinda grumpy...

Kinda? Like the empire state building is tall?

My favorite ikkyu2 moment was when he vanished once before and left a great goodbye message, something about lying in a ditch dying and driving on by. Can't remember the exact wording.

Good times.
posted by Dennis Murphy at 12:30 PM on February 27, 2009 [1 favorite]


My first thought was that it'd be cool to make doctor/dentist/therapist threads searchable by location, and then I realized that they basically already are.
posted by roll truck roll at 12:31 PM on February 27, 2009


Brandon Blatcher, Doctor of Love, MD
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 12:36 PM on February 27, 2009 [1 favorite]


I'm a pataphysician. Does that count?
posted by UbuRoivas at 12:48 PM on February 27, 2009 [3 favorites]


Metafilter Physician?

No, Metafiler Physician. For sick metafiles.
posted by Hovercraft Eel at 12:58 PM on February 27, 2009


OK, I can see now that this question was worded ambiguously, and not even spelled right, sorry about that. On the other hand, I got to learn about Pataphysics, so maybe I'm not that sorry.

For the record: I was not suggesting a directory of physicians who are members of Metafilter; rather, a directory of physicians in various locations and specialties who have been recommended by members of Metafilter. It seems like roll truck roll has be the simplest solution.
posted by Mender at 1:02 PM on February 27, 2009


Are there any analrapists on MeFi?
posted by Astro Zombie at 1:07 PM on February 27, 2009 [4 favorites]


Flameout or principles, you decide.

Flameout.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 1:10 PM on February 27, 2009 [1 favorite]


Dr.: What seems to be the problem?
Metafilter: It hurts when I do this (clicks MeFi Dr. Directory).
Dr.:
Make sure you don't have NoScript blocking the site's javascript.
posted by cortex (staff) at 1:55 PM on February 27, 2009 [3 favorites]


I can fix your bike, but I'm not a bike mechanic. No warranties, express or implied.
posted by fixedgear at 1:56 PM on February 27, 2009


but expressed but delayed warranties available.
posted by Science! at 2:01 PM on February 27, 2009 [1 favorite]


I'd prefer a list of things that keep getting recommended by big crowds of Mefites over and over: Macbooks and Thinkpads, Neutrogena sunscreen, Home Comforts, Starting Strength, The Wire, Howard Forums...
posted by box at 2:04 PM on February 27, 2009 [2 favorites]


I'm not sure AZ, but I have a stocking you can pull over your head, if that helps.
posted by SpiffyRob at 2:05 PM on February 27, 2009


MetaPhiltre?
posted by WPW at 2:09 PM on February 27, 2009


People are always asking on AskMe 'what are those little cylinders on my power cord?' They are ferrite cores. Ferrite cores! 'How do I paint?' "Prime with Kilz, get a roller, a new cover, and an extension pole.' "How do I teach an adullt how to ride a bike?" We need a FAQ or something.
posted by fixedgear at 2:09 PM on February 27, 2009


Avoid doctors whenever possible.
posted by telstar at 2:32 PM on February 27, 2009 [1 favorite]


Keep out of reach of children.
posted by lysdexic at 3:47 PM on February 27, 2009


Metafilter Physician? Why? Is MeFi sick?

No, just feeling blue.
posted by Meta Filter at 4:31 PM on February 27, 2009 [2 favorites]


I can't attest to its quality, but NPR tells me that Angie's list includes reviews of contractors, plumbers, and now doctors. I've never used it. Nor have I been to the website, as it happens.
posted by The White Hat at 4:36 PM on February 27, 2009


Isn't a Metaphysician a doctor to other doctors?
posted by trinity8-director at 4:37 PM on February 27, 2009 [1 favorite]


Oh, hella gross. Angie's list has frightening membership fees. Better just to dial zero and ask an operator what they think.
posted by The White Hat at 4:42 PM on February 27, 2009 [1 favorite]


Dear AskMe: I'm looking for a rugged individualistic homeopathic vaccinator in the Colorado area. Any ideas?
posted by kuujjuarapik at 5:15 PM on February 27, 2009


I'm not an analrapist but I play one when I'm serving time.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 5:49 PM on February 27, 2009


Basically you want the functionality of Yelp with the userbase of Metafilter.

It's too bad Yelp doesn't have the "Other websites this user is on" field, because then someone could greasemonkey up a "include reviews by mefites" filter.
posted by aubilenon at 6:16 PM on February 27, 2009


fixedgear: "People are always asking on AskMe 'what are those little cylinders on my power cord?' They are ferrite cores. Ferrite cores!"

I actually googled that a few days ago, the first result was Yahoo! Answers which gave me the correct answer, I double checked it with other sources just to make sure. AskMe never came into it.
posted by Science! at 6:52 PM on February 27, 2009


But a FAQ page browsable by keyword would be awesome.
posted by Science! at 7:13 PM on February 27, 2009


I don't like the idea of a metaphysician directory

I do. Once in a while, I need someone to remind me that A is A.
posted by lukemeister at 7:16 PM on February 27, 2009


I'm a doctor! A . . . juris doctor. This means when you come to me with a problem, I make things more complicated instead of less, and then, oh hey, you owe me money.
posted by chinston at 7:18 PM on February 27, 2009 [7 favorites]


Flameout.
posted by Blazecock Pileon


To a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
posted by Krrrlson at 8:40 PM on February 27, 2009 [2 favorites]


"I don't like the idea of a metaphysician directory; in addition to the problems jessamyn mentions, the amount of information that would need to go into such directory could potentially make it bigger than the rest of the sites combined."

I don't like it either, because Heidegger destroyed the question of Metaphysics years ago.
posted by klangklangston at 9:49 PM on February 27, 2009


This is sort of like the Metafilter Craigslist-type Subsite that's a great idea but will never happen.
posted by Afroblanco at 11:45 PM on February 27, 2009


What is the ontological nature of reality?

take that, zombie Heidegger!
posted by UbuRoivas at 1:06 AM on February 28, 2009


To a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

You overestimate your cleverness. Back to LGF with you, troll.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 7:32 AM on February 28, 2009


jonmc: "Metafilter Physician?
Why? Is MeFi sick?
"

Don't worry. The guy they hired after the outage is great...
posted by mccarty.tim at 7:38 AM on February 28, 2009


I've got an Andrew Weill, but I want a George Nichopoulos.
posted by box at 9:45 AM on February 28, 2009


Back to LGF with you, troll.

Does the specter of a different opinion haunt you in your nightmares? Do you scream out in terror when confronted with the idea that the world in your head is so disconnected from reality? Or do the thick walls of denial and cognitive dissonance let you get a good night's sleep every once in a while?
posted by Krrrlson at 11:23 AM on February 28, 2009 [1 favorite]


Krrrlson / Blazecock cage match! Broadswords! Pit!

FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!
posted by Meatbomb at 11:38 AM on February 28, 2009


Liability is a big issue. Trust me . . . it won't happen.
posted by 6:1 at 11:49 AM on February 28, 2009


Does the specter of a different opinion haunt you in your nightmares?

Not often, given how frequently your "different opinion" gets deleted, and then you freak out, bawl about "thoughtcrimes" and get a timeout.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 1:25 PM on February 28, 2009


It's not really that difficult to search previous AskMes for a doctor recommendation. I don't think it's needed. Although, I think it would be cool to have some sort of thing where you could see the professions of MeFites
posted by majikstreet at 2:32 PM on February 28, 2009


Krrrlson / Blazecock cage match! Broadswords! Pit!

FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!


For once, Krrrlson isn't the biggest prick in a fight.
posted by rodgerd at 4:06 PM on February 28, 2009


i don't think this is a horrible idea, and i don't think there should really be any fear of a lawsuit. there are sites out there that list (for instance) fat-friendly doctors. it's just a list put up by someone, based on recommendations from other people. we don't have to put up "this guy sucks" comments.

basically, just a listing saying:

dr. joe in baltimore was a great therapist. specializes in cbt.

or whatevs.
posted by misanthropicsarah at 9:25 PM on March 1, 2009


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