• How can I protect my identity?


• How do I start using OrthoMind?


• What can I do inside of OrthoMind?


• Will posted content come up in Google Search Results?


• I forgot my username and password, what do I do?


• What if I'm not an Orthopaedic Surgeon and I want to join OrthoMind?


• Do my posts in OrthoMind satisfy legal obligations I have for reporting events or circumstances to authorities or regulatory agencies?


• If I give an opinion about a clinical question, is there any potential malpractice liability? Can I get sued?


• Do I have any personal liability if I discuss anecdotal observations or ‘off label’ indications for treatments?


• What if another doctor takes my ‘advice’ and something bad happens to their patient? Am I indirectly a consultant, accessory or abettor?


• I have a suggestion of a better way to do something or I notice a problem. What do I do?


• What do I do if I see conversation which I feel is inappropriate?


• Etiquette and Manner

How can I protect my identity?

Your personal information is not used at any time other than registration. We have to verify that you are a licensed orthopaedic surgeon. Beyond that, you have the ability to remain anonymous within OrthoMind, using a username of your choice as your profile. Practice location, residency and medical school information is only available to your colleagues if you chose not to remain anonymous, but there is no storage of other more sensitive information like license #, DEA # or anything like that. Please refer to our Privacy Section for further details.

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How do I start using OrthoMind?

You get started by going to the Login/Register page and signing up. Once you are registered, you will see your unique ‘dashboard’ screen when you login. Then you can immediately access Posts and all the features of the community.

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What can I do inside of OrthoMind?

We invite you to go through the Tour page of this site to see what is offered. In brief, you can interact with your colleagues and ways not before possible. You can:

• Create your own topics and posts
• Write comments about others’ posts
• Get answers to questions or answers your peer’s questions,
• Poll your colleagues or alumni and query their expertise,
• Join or form networks,
• Collaborate and hypothesize
• Organize and coordinate events
• Peer review literature
• Be a part of defining emerging trends in our profession

More complex functions like job searching and expert testimony are in beta development.

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Will posted content come up in Google Search Results?

No. Google bots do not index the contents of our posts or conversations. The content of OrthoMind will not come up in search results.

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I forgot my username and password, what do I do?

Click here to retrieve your user name or reset your password.

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What if I'm not an Orthopaedic Surgeon and I want to join OrthoMind?

Thanks for your interest. Currently, OrthoMind is only available to licensed USA Orthopaedic Surgeons (MD and DO), AAOS Physician members and some invited international Orthopaedic Surgeons. We don’t intend to change that model, but like everything else in OrthoMind, if the community wants at some point to create ways for others to access the OrthoMind community, we’ll entertain it with group approval. If you would like to be considered as such, send us your contact information here:

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Do my posts in OrthoMind satisfy legal obligations I have for reporting events or circumstances to authorities or regulatory agencies?

In short, no. Putting information inside of OrthoMind does not absolve you of any legal obligations to report information deemed legally reportable by any authority. There are no substitutes for completing and filing forms required by appropriate local, state, and federal authorities. Neither are there mechanisms within OrthoMind to do so. Check with your local medical society if you have further concerns in this regard. If you have a concern that involves public health, contact your appropriate local authority.

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If I give an opinion about a clinical question, is there any potential malpractice liability? Can I get sued?

There is no liability, but as you know with frivolous litigation, anyone can get sued. That said, opinions and information do not define legal obligations. The content of OrthoMind is for informational and educational purposes only and does not replace or substitute for the professional judgment of an Orthopaedic Surgeon. Medical malpractice is an act or omission by a health care provider of services which deviates from commonly applied and accepted standards of practice by the average prudent reputable member in that local medical community and which causes injury, loss or harm to a patient or the recipient of those services or to those who would be entitled to such services.

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Do I have any personal liability if I discuss anecdotal observations or ‘off label’ indications for treatments?

Generally speaking, no. However, if a surgeon proposes an off-label indication for a device, technology, technique or product, he/she should indicate it as such and disclose any personal bias or conflict of interest. Identification of a topic as an ‘off label’ indication can help us all be more astute observers, data analysts and informed decision makers. The content of OrthoMind is for informational and educational purposes only and does not replace or substitute for the professional judgment of an Orthopaedic Surgeon.

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What if another doctor takes my ‘advice’ and something bad happens to their patient? Am I indirectly a consultant, accessory or abettor?

No. OrthoMind is not a place where medical decision making is taking place. Users give their opinions, information or suggestions. No formal consulting or patient-physician relationships are established. As you know, the practice of Orthopaedic Surgery is an art and a science and OrthoMind is not a substitute for standard medical care. Persons accessing information through the OrthoMind assume full responsibility for the use of the information. Practicing Orthopaedic Surgeon users continue to be bound by the decisions of their own independent informed medical judgment.

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I have a suggestion of a better way to do something or I notice a problem. What do I do?

Great. We welcome your feedback. Contact us here: .

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What do I do if I see conversation which I feel is inappropriate?

If you observe abusive, offensive or belligerent behavior or language, report it immediately to . If you are uncomfortable with witnessed language or content, either respond professionally and courteously or notify us.

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Etiquette and Manner

In the etiquette of posting within a professional community, please be mindful to observe a professional code of conduct. We want to encourage our colleagues to express themselves freely, openly and professionally. This would imply that you:

• Avoid language to be construed as a personal attack or condescension, ie no profanity or slander.
• Disclose any conflicts of interest you may have related to the topic or post. You would do this directly in your post or comment.
• Respect the privacy of your colleagues and allow your peers to remain as anonymous as they desire. Networks are built around interests and trust.
• We are a relatively small community and we know each other professionally. Do not disclose personally identifiable information about your friends or foes. Don’t open yourself up to claims of loss regarding character defamation or financial conflicts of interest. Only as appropriate for yourself, should you consider disclosure of research grants, honoraria, consulting fees, royalties, equity, reimbursement or other third part remuneration that could impact the information contributed. Disclosures should be made in your profile and any relevant postings.

We reserve the right to admonish or censure any user, and/or revoke membership, privileges or access of any user deemed in violation of the proper professional etiquette and manner OrthoMind espouses.

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