I am making a conscious effort to regularly appraise my motives and intentions as I continue to add posts to my blog. Today I thought I would pose a particularly pertinent question to Quora, the question and answer website and online knowledge market. I first started using Quora at the formal ending of my ‘art therapy’ sessions with Sally Mungall, three years prior. I was desperate for insight and quality answers to questions around therapy, transference and counter-transference and so mitigate against the catastrophic mental breakdown bearing down upon me like some alpine avalanche. I will refer the reader to Quora-famous psychologist, Dr David McPhee along with other notable and distinguished therapists in later posts to my blog. For now I will return to the specific question that I asked of Quora today, that being 

‘Can you comment on the ethics behind publishing my blog www.fourandtwentydeadcrows.com, and drawing attention to individuals responsible for clinical negligence?’

This question around ethics is one that I asked myself before starting my blog and one that I have regularly asked myself ever since. Today I decided to go further and challenge my objectivity on this issue. The ‘comments’ that I received from Quora are published immediately below. I hope to address each ‘comment’ in later posts but I am sharing them with you now as proof that I had addressed, and continue to address the ethical concerns around my motives and intentions as I continue to add posts to my blog.

Here are the ‘comments’ generated by Quora in response to my question, ‘Can you comment on the ethics behind publishing my blog www.fourandtwentydeadcrows.com, and drawing attention to individuals responsible for clinical negligence?’

‘Publishing a blog that highlights clinical negligence raises several ethical considerations. Here are some key points to consider:

1. Accuracy and Truthfulness

• Ensure that all claims made are well-researched and factually accurate. Misrepresentation can lead to harm and legal consequences.

2. Privacy and Confidentiality

• Respect the privacy of individuals involved. Avoid disclosing personal information that could identify patients or healthcare workers without their consent.

3. Potential Impact on Individuals

• Consider the potential consequences for the individuals named. Publicly calling out professionals can lead to reputational damage, which may be disproportionate to the issues being raised.

4. Constructive Criticism vs. Defamation

• Aim to provide constructive criticism rather than simply pointing fingers. Focus on systemic issues rather than personal attacks to foster a more productive dialogue.

5. Legal Implications

• Be aware of defamation laws and the legal risks associated with public accusations. Consulting with a legal expert could be wise.

6. Responsibility to the Public

• Balance your right to free speech with the responsibility to provide helpful, informative content that can lead to improved healthcare practices.

7. Encouraging Transparency

• Highlighting issues can promote accountability and transparency in healthcare, potentially leading to improvements in patient safety.

8. Support for Affected Individuals

• Consider providing resources or support for those who have experienced clinical negligence, which can add value to your blog.

By carefully navigating these ethical considerations, you can create a blog that raises awareness about important issues while respecting the dignity and rights of all individuals involved.’