Username: mwillis
Date/Time: Sat, October 28, 2000 at 5:16 AM GMT
Browser: Netscape Communicator V4.75 using Windows 98
Subject: support the concept
I've read WHO's proposal on this web site and support the concept and the intent. I've also read the other postings (pro and con) and feel that they raise points that merit consideration. However, my interests are not in global or Internet health politics, but the quality of health information provided on the Internet. It is now the first place that many individuals go for their health information. And seeking health information is one of the major uses of the Internet.
It is difficult to protect the public from unsafe health practitioners. It will be just as difficult to protect the public from web-delivered health information that is inaccurate, outdated, or even dangerous. This does not mean that the attempt should not be made, but any organization that proposes setting and enforcing quality standards in this arena is taking on a monumental responsibility. The Internet is global -- the WHO is global. Right there, that qualifies the WHO in terms of "having the big picture." It will be interesting, if their proposal for .health is accepted, to see how they exercise their responsibilities on a more "local" web site by web site basis. If WHO's proposed standards raise the health information bar past unsafe to at least acceptable -- that is a good start, however.
Since web-based professional education in health care is growing, I also hope that the WHO sets some standards in this area. There are too many "interactive" continuing education web sites for health care providers that contain zero interactivity, have been developed by web-development companies outside the health care field, use unvalidated content and testing written by individuals with questionable credentials, and charge $$$ for awarding hours of continuing education that can be completed in minutes. And as web-based distance learning for entry into health professions increases, there must be concern about the quality of professional education for health providers offered on the Internet. The WHO has their work cut out for them!
Mary Alice Willis MSN RN
.health Application by the World Health Organization — Moderator, October 7 @ 10:22 PM (39/46)
WHO's response to concerns — dzenowagisj, November 5 @ 10:38 PM (0/0)
Support .health — MediaMentor ICANN @Large Member # 375469, November 5 @ 7:33 PM (0/0)
UK Health Online — simong, November 3 @ 10:06 PM (1/1)
support to WHO application — Chen CM, November 5 @ 8:54 AM (0/0)
dot.health--WHO Top Level Domain Name Application — Arnold I. Friede, November 3 @ 3:13 PM (0/0)
Yes to .health TLD — Jim Jacobson, November 3 @ 3:03 PM (0/0)
.health — lhanmer, November 3 @ 2:40 PM (0/0)
Are we sure? — sshoop, November 3 @ 4:20 AM (1/1)
Well said — PHXbird, November 3 @ 3:45 PM (0/0)
support for .health — nschwalbe, November 2 @ 11:27 PM (0/0)
support .health — Lienne, November 2 @ 2:16 PM (0/0)
.health Application by the World Health Organisation — risk, November 2 @ 9:50 AM (0/0)
Support of WHO sponsored .health TLD — CKing, November 2 @ 7:43 AM (0/0)
.health for credible online health information — dr_anuj, November 2 @ 5:05 AM (0/0)
.healt TLD — jsmith8695, November 1 @ 2:46 AM (1/1)
dot-health — bleavy, October 31 @ 6:55 PM (0/0)
WHO-needs time; spend resources differently — Fiona McLean, October 31 @ 6:35 PM (0/0)
TLD Health — Holtster, October 31 @ 9:36 AM (0/0)
YES to WHO's application for ".health" — rmburian, October 31 @ 2:16 AM (0/0)
Support for .health — eohtlg, October 30 @ 7:12 PM (0/0)
Yes to .health domain — Telehealth Rehab Ltd., October 30 @ 6:18 PM (0/0)
dot health domain — mgenova, October 30 @ 5:14 PM (0/0)
Strong Support for .health — C.P. Green, October 30 @ 5:03 PM (0/0)
.health TLD — hssjes, October 30 @ 1:16 PM (0/0)
Strong support for .HEALTH — Chinarock, October 28 @ 7:36 PM (0/0)
Health TLD — enoji, October 28 @ 3:56 PM (1/1)
.health TLD — Sr. Mary Elizabeth, October 29 @ 2:17 PM (0/0)
Support for .Health TLD — Bogey, October 28 @ 10:34 AM (0/0)
Support — JGoswell, October 28 @ 10:28 AM (0/0)
Another Outlook — wbell, October 28 @ 9:07 AM (0/0)
.health TLD - better or worse? — Ray Armstrong, October 28 @ 7:51 AM (0/0)
support the concept — mwillis, October 28 @ 5:16 AM (0/0)
Opposition to WHO top level domain proposal for .health — Dr. Lewis Eigen, October 28 @ 12:37 AM (0/0)
.health top level domain — mmherbst, October 27 @ 10:48 PM (0/0)
TLD .health — lgeffen, October 27 @ 9:56 PM (0/0)
Support WHO application for .health — delgadojx, October 27 @ 7:51 PM (0/0)
Strong support for .HEALTH — anyuser2, October 27 @ 6:05 PM (0/0)
.health TLD - WHO as the sponsoring organization — nand, October 27 @ 2:09 PM (0/0)
.health — fantsuam foundation - Nigeria, October 26 @ 7:06 PM (0/0)
WHO app — peniel, October 25 @ 11:59 PM (0/0)
CORE Financials — Need2Know2, October 21 @ 10:03 AM (0/0)
qualification of medical information sources? — Bruce Speyer, October 29 @ 7:15 PM (1/2)
Good consultative process is the key — Bunjie, November 1 @ 12:36 AM (1/1)
support, concerns echoed, what about complimentary medicine? — vital, November 3 @ 2:06 PM (0/0)