Slap on the Wrist

[Ferox]

An email was sent through the university webmail system recently strongly suggesting that blogs are highly inappropriate places to discuss clinical cases.

I was assuming it was because someone somewhere had stumbled across my blog. I haven't actually done it as such, but there are a few posts that probably could be considered borderline when it comes to identifying an animal or a case.

Should I go through and delete posts or sections of them to cover my back, or should I just take extra, extra care in the future? I have typically tried to avoid any identifying details and most of the things I have discussed have been from classes.

I appreciate helpful comments.

[Bloggeries]

If you've put effort in to obey rules and not identify any of the patience (animals in this case) I wouldn't go back. I'd go forward with that information in mind and if need be go back but not worry

[Ferox]

Thanks for the reassurance. I have to say I've noticed a small increase in search results bringing people to my blog looking for 'veterinary student blog'. Who was it that said there's no such thing as bad publicity?

[QuirkyJessi]

For the most part I'd say just make sure you continue to err on the side of caution. If there are things in past posts that are borderline, you might want to edit out a few details that would make them more generic or less identifiable, though.

[richrf]

Originally Posted by Ferox

An email was sent through the university webmail system recently strongly suggesting that blogs are highly inappropriate places to discuss clinical cases.

I was assuming it was because someone somewhere had stumbled across my blog. I haven't actually done it as such, but there are a few posts that probably could be considered borderline when it comes to identifying an animal or a case.

Should I go through and delete posts or sections of them to cover my back, or should I just take extra, extra care in the future? I have typically tried to avoid any identifying details and most of the things I have discussed have been from classes.

I appreciate helpful comments.

There are probably privacy issues involved here, which may get the university in some trouble. Did the email suggest any guidelines, or did it suggest anyone to talk to in order to understand the guidelines. If you are discussing anything that might be considered confidential, then I would definitely talk to someone at the university for advice. I don't think you should proceed, unless the blog is more important to you than your university activities. "When in doubt - ask."

Nice blog. Good luck with it.

Rich

[skleiner]

I agree with Jessi, perhaps just eliminate some of the content that would be an issue, reword it a bit.

[Skolor]

I'm confused with what the problem is. Is it against university policy to reveal information about the animals/cases?

If thats the case, I would get in contact directly with someone who is knowledgeable of the subject, an adviser or something at the university.

If it isn't written policy, however, I would ignore it, and keep on doing what you're doing.

[rhyswynne]

What I suspect is that it isn't university policy, but soon will be. I'd change it, just to be on the safe side

[Skolor]

If it wasn't Written policy at the time it was put up I would leave it. If it does become policy, and there is some sort of controversy, there will be some awesome traffic to you site with it. Especially if you talk about "The man trying to shut you down" in a blog post, college kids eat that up.

[blu3man]

This is why I am ever anonymous.