EBME Forums Forums Free discussion Free discussion members identification

IVE NOT BEEN USING THIS SYSTEM LONG BUT IVE NOTICED THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL
PEOPLE THAT LOG ONTO THIS SYSTEM UNDER
FALSE I.D,S. OR HAVE ADDESSES THAT ARE OF NO
REAL MEANING. AND PASS COMMENTS ON "REAL" SUBJECTS.
SURELY IF THIS DATABASE IS TO BE TAKEN
SERIOUSLY BY EBME DEPTS THIS TYPE OF
THING SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED. THIS WOULD
MAKE THE SYSTEM A RELIABLE SOURCE OF INFORMATION, INSTEAD OF AT THE MOMENT ANYONE
CAN LEAVE A REPLY UNDER A NON TRACEBALE NAME, AS FAR AS I CAN SEE ANYWAY.

I couldn't agree more. In recent months there have been an increasing number of such
entries. I can understand that some people may feel they cannot say what they want under their own names for fear of reprisals. It looks like some people are deliberately contrivertial (which is not altogether a bad thing) but is frustrating when entered under meaningless names and locations.
I have taken exception to some recent enteries (and yes I have voiced this and in my own name) and found that they were from such an anonymous source. Either take this seriously or even better be big brave boys and own up to who you are.

I agree with you guys & gals.

I have used this forum to express my views, on various subjects.. in my opinion.

All my views are heartfelt and are a product of my experiences.

I have had some 'flak' for some of my comments - I'm not a mouse.

Anyway, this is a debating forum.

I also agree. I have come in for some criticism - on a face-to-face basis because people could clearly identify who I was - for my "flippant" remarks on the site. I agreed with the criticism and have moderated my entries accordingly. If anyone wants to take exception to something I write they can reply on the site or e-mail me.
I am expressing my personal views, some of which are based on 18 years experience in EBME. I do not pretend to speak for the Trust I work for and I don't believe any employer would be justified in taking action against an employee who expressed views on the site - unless of course they were stupid enough to release sensitive information or used the opportunity to slag off the company because of a personal grievance.
If people use the site responsibly and professionally, then no one should be reluctant to reveal their identity.
Roy Flitcroft,
E.B.M.E. Manager,
Stepping Hill Hospital,
Stockport, SK2 7JE.
(0161) 419 5300

Well people I can understand your queries regarding anonimity, Huw has spoken in the past on this subject.. and yep everyone is traceable through their server address. So he can, and has in the past removed "iffy" subject matter.

Some people may know me, others are more fortunate, and never have! However as I comment from home on my own PC in my own time, I do not see why I should be more specific about who I work for, and if I or anyone eles so desires.. to be anonymous if I prefer!

Hmmm, I am not sure where this is going.

Do you think there should be a cull on members of the forum who choose not to give their details? This would make things a bit boring wouldn't it?

Or would the majority of members prefer aplication in writing with a formal review by a membership panel before individuals are allowed into the forum to express their views? An exclusive club perhaps!

Some of the most interesting comments have been made by 'anonymous' sources in my opinion. Additionally, I have rarely had the impression that anonymous sources have had personal grievances.

Anonymity is not particularly harmful, since there is very little 'controversy' in Medical Engineering generally and even less in this forum - other than that generated by a core of individuals who prefer to concentrate solely on the origin of information, rather than it's content......

Fair enough, having a traceable-source adds credibilty to posts but I think I'm able to "filter" BS when I read it - whether I know who's posted it or not!

Anonymous or not..debate is good and helpful, in may ways.
I haven't made all of my details available, but I'm not hiding - my trail leads to me..
We all have knowledge of the subjects that we choose to talk about on this forum.. our personal details are not an issue.

Am I missing something here?
I thought the original quote from Karl was about fictitous names!and vague locations..hence implied non-traceable people!
Most peoples entries are fairly vague in who they are. Unless the induvidual is a known person, like Roy F, Jim G, Tony D etc etc... one finds in this profession that it is a very small world and everyone knows each other anyway... The people who have been slightly guarded about their ID's .. have been quite informative with the information they have divulged.. not particularly secret..! but intersting never the less..
This is not " the horse's mouth" "J Doe" or any other pseudonym.. the input which these people have given has in my view been very intersting.. lets hope they carry on in their input.. I have no problem with their ID's..but obviously some of the viewers may!?

I just want to say that I think it's great - that we are at least communicating!

...and that we know the names Roy, Mark*, Jim, Alex, John etc etc

It's a start isn't it?

Being one of the 'annonymous' members of this forum I would like to take the opportunity to say that it is not done with malicious intent. As has been pointed out we are all traceable to the 'administrators' through our contact details supplied when applying to join.

However, there is at least one other member who has worked out who I am through the comments I occasionally make.

I am not currently an EBME, Medical Engineering 'bod' (no offensive intended here) but I have 16 years experience within the NHS, 11 of these within an EBME environment including 4 years as an EBME Manager (Electronics & Anaesthetic Equipment & Sterilisers). I have moved on to general management within the NHS and am currently working on the strategic impact that the NHS Plan is having on the delivery of healthcare locally.

I still try to keep up to date on developments within the EBME world, as you never know there might be a time when I may need to rely on my previous experiences.

Anyway, if my opinions/advice/comments are thought less of due to my annonimity, so be it. I just hope that my input can be of use to some.

Live longer and prosper Jim