1) Who runs this site?
The site is run, maintained and updated by its founder. For more information please click on About Us

2) Who pays for this site?
This site is privately funded by its founder. External funding was purposely avoided so we could maintain full control of how the site is run and what the information collected is used for.

3) What is the purpose of the site?
To better characterize what a good doctor-patient relationship is/what ideal bedside manner is by seeking confidential input from patients and physicians all over the world. For more information please click on Mission Statement

4) Where does the information come from?
The information listed under suggested resources is a result of our research into this topic which includes a careful review of the existing medical literature and books on the topic. The list is regularly updated as newer information becomes available.

5) What information does the site collect (about me) and why?
At www.thebedsidemanner.com we strive to keep all input entirely confidential as we do not wish to collect any information about you that would reveal/even hint as to your identity. We do not invite you to log in/employ a tracking device. We require that all input be devoid of any identifying factors, e.g. name, places, dates. We employ a moderator service to screen all entries for such details and edit them accordingly. The information the site wishes to collect is your experience of “ideal bedside manner” and your wishes for what you think “ideal bedside manner” should be. Eventually all the “data” collected from your input will be analyzed for meaningful patterns. It will finally be reported in the medical literature and public domain in the form of journal articles, books and newspaper articles. The sole purpose being to use your input to educate the public and physicians about our findings and implications for the future of the doctor-patient relationship.

(For more information) please click on Mission Statement  

6) Has this project been approved by an ethics committee?
Yes, this project has been reviewed by the Aurora IRB and deemed exempt from IRB review.

7) I have negative experiences of bedside manner which I want to share—where can I do that?
At “www.thebedsidemanner.com” we have made the decision to collect positive experiences only. There are two main reasons for this: we wish to understand more about what an “ideal bedside manner” is in the eyes of our patients so we can better strive to meet that ideal and educate healthcare professionals about what that is exactly. Secondly, negative accusations/experiences often require “the other sides” version if true meaning is to be extracted from the experience--given our strict commitment to preserving anonymity this would be beyond the scope of our weblog.This said, the “Three Wishes” section is an excellent venue for expressing what you would like to change about the doctor-patient relationship.