[WikiEN-l] Docs look to Wikipedia for condition info: Manhattan Research

[Charles Matthews]

Delirium wrote:
> As far as I understand, the main stumbling blocks have been that nobody 
> can agree on who should make the database, what the process will be for 
> verifying information, what access policies should be like, who would be 
> responsible if there were errors in it, what constitutes evidence worth 
> including, etc., etc. Seems doctors are voting with their feet and 
> deciding that Wikipedia's attempt at tackling all those is at least 
> better than nothing.
>
>   
This (medical info) case is certainly an interesting instance of WP 
"undercutting" what people would generally agree was a well-founded 
desire to have authoritative information. If we assume that doctors are 
"smart" users of WP, it suggests that the advantages of a quick survey 
or cross-check only seconds away can outweigh more ponderous research. 
We have no reason to be complacent about all this, but at least the 
Wikipedia "brand" must be getting repeat customers.

Charles