Listserve

The listserve approach is a middle ground between standard email and Internet chat. Listserve forums are currently of the most popular version of orthopedic discussion groups. In the listserve forums, email is sent to a common address, from which it is broadcast to all subscribing members of the group. Listserve groups may be

• Public (anyone can join) or Private (restricted membership)
• Unmoderated (all messages immediately are sent to all members) or Moderated (messages are reviewed and selected messages are sent to all members).
• Archived (posted messages are kept in a permanent repository) or Not Archived.
• Searchable (to facilitate browsing old archives, search messages by author, date, topic, etc.) or Simple Archives.

Advantages of on-line orthopedic discussion groups

• potential for very rapid feedback in critical situations.
• ability to share and compare digitized radiographs and clinical images.
• ability to share on-line search strategies (medline, etc.).
• potential for highly specialized and experienced personal feedback.

Disadvantages of on-line orthopedic discussion groups

• potential for miscommunication in critical situations.
• potential for lack of feedback in voluntary participation groups.

Specific disadvantages of open listserve groups

• questionable value of contribution from members having unknown qualifications.
• Potential for breach of patient confidentiality.
• Potential for misuse by unscrupulous non-medical subscribers.

Personal note

Listserve participation is a personal matter. I have subscribed to, participated in, and lurked on a variety of orthopedic and hand surgery related listserve groups over the years, and am responsible for initiating the mailbase hand mailing list. It may take some persistence to find which listserve is most particularly suited to one's interests and personality. Listserve discussion groups can be very stimulating, but can also be overwhelming. Some lists generate volumes of mail which are simply too great to read. Some lists seem interesting initially, but in time the main focus of discussion is just enough off center from one's own interests that eventually the attraction of the list is lost. Lists are usually composed of a changing cohort of participants, and the flavor and content of all lists shifts over time.

- Charles Eaton

 

For example, the following are mail lists relating to different aspects of hand surgery:

Hand Listserver - Open forum for hand surgeons.
eRadius - International Distal Radius Fracture Study Group - Private list for one specific problem.
Hand Rehab On line - Open list geared toward hand therapists.
The Hand Therapy Network - Open list geared toward hand therapists.
Sorehand - Open list: RSI patients compare notes about their lawyers and doctors.

The following are orthopaedic email lists compiled by Orthogate For the most up to date version of this list, see Orthogate Mailing Lists

Global Orthopod Mailing Lists based in U.K. Run by Chris Oliver et al.

• Orthopod Mailing List
  The Orthopod list is an international academic mailing list for discussion, collaboration, sharing ideas and the dissemination of research in Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery. Orthopod is for surgeons, surgical healthcare workers and healthcare students. It is not a forum for patient information.
• Orthopod Arthroplasty List
  Mailing list relating to primary and revision joint replacement surgery in all joints of the human body.
• Orthopod Hand List
  The hand list is an academic mailing list for discussion, collaboration, sharing ideas and the dissemination of research in hand surgery and rehabilitation. Hand is for surgeons, surgical healthcare workers and healthcare students. It is not a forum for patient information.
• Orthopod Limb Reconstruction List
  Mailing list relating to congenital and post traumatic limb reconstruction, using a variety of surgical techniques using internal fixation, monolateral frames, hybrid frames and circular frames.
• Orthopod Spinal Surgery List
  Mailing list relating to elective and traumatic spinal orthopaedic surgery, the outcomes of spinal surgery and rehabilitation. 
• Orthopod Sports Medicine List
  Mailing list relating to the orthopaedic surgical treatment of sports injuries, outcomes and rehabilitation.

The list below also includes interesting newsgroups and discussion groups not run by a member of the Orthogate team.

• BeneluxOrth Mailing List Run by Jan Van Der Bauwhede & Peter Kamstra & Nanni Allington
  It is meant primarily to help Benelux orthopaedic surgeons and surgeons in training communicate and find answers to research questions, information requests, clinical and practical problems, correct RIZIV coding of procedures, ... specific to the local Benelux setting. 
   
• IndiaOrth Mailing List   Run by Mangal Parihar
  Mailing list primarily focusing on issues related to Indian orthopaedics.
   
• Orthopedia Mailing List   Run by J.F. Martinez
  La primera lista de correos en español para cirujanos ortopédicos, rehabilitadores, radiológos, etc. Moderador y propietario de la lista: Dr. J.F. Martinez, Hospital Marina Baixa, Villajoyosa, Alicante, España. Intended as a discussion forum for spanish-speaking orthopaedic surgeons and related specialists.
   
• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Discussion Groups  Run by AAOS Staff
  Threaded postings to web pages. Orthopaedic topics include Medical Records, Coding, Member-to-Member Forum on Managed Care Issues, News Updates, Practice Management, Senior Orthopaedic Surgeons. Clinical Discussion Groups include Arthroscopy, Biomedical Engineering, Foot & Ankle, General Orthopaedics, Hand, Hip & Knee, Musculoskeletal Tumors, Pediatric, Shoulder & Elbow, Spine, Sports Medicine, Trauma. International Discussion Groups include International Orthopaedic Meetings News and International Orthopaedic Fellowships and Placement Opportunities.
   
• medlux.medsci.orthopaedics Newsgroup   Run by A. Chelnokov
  Russian ortho list (Usenet newsgroup) moderated by Alexander N. Chelnokov
  Purposes of the newsgroup are generally the same as of the existing ones: computers and telecommunication for orthopaedic surgery, case presentations, any discussions related to orthopaedics, information about forthcoming events and so on. The newsgroup status is open, postmoderating, non-commercial.
  Messages are welcome in Russian and English. Forwarding/cross-posting of any valuable information between the new and old groups is strongly encouraged (Call for papers, forthcoming symposia/conferences/meetings and so on).

The following are orthopaedic email lists compiled by Orthopaedic Web Links. For the most up to date version of this list, see the category Email Lists.

• Biomechanics Mail Server (Biomch-L)
  • subscription address : mailto:%20LISTSERV@nic.surfnet.nl
  • subscription message : SUBSCRIBE BIOMCH-L <firstname lastname (affiliation)>
  • E-mail discussion group for biomechanics and human/animal movement science
  • you can browse the archives here
  • a guide to Biomch-L you will find here

   

• Carpal Tunnel & Tendonitis Mailing List 
  • subscription address : LISTSERV@UBVM.cc.buffalo.edu
  • subscription message : Subscribe SOREHAND <your name>

   

• Electronic Journal of Hand Surgery Mailing List Associated with EJHS
  • subscription address : mailto:%20majordomo@leeds.ac.uk
  • subscription message : leave subject blank, in the body write : subscribe hand-surgery
  • to send a message to the list : mailto:%20hand-surgery@leeds.ac.uk
  • non-commercial moderated mailing list enabling hand care professionals to discuss articles in the Electronic Journal of Hand Surgery, question areas of controversy in their practice or to ask advice from other hand care professionals.

   

• Hyperbaric & Diving Medicine List (Hypbar-L)
  • subscription address: LISTSERV@technion.technion.ac.il 
  • subscription message: Subscribe HYPBAR-L <your name> 
  • appropriate discussions include the evolution and application of hyperbaric and diving medicine, announcements of professional meetings, and calls for papers. Archived. Non moderated. 
  • contactperson: Derrell Early, AL@VMSA.TECHNION.AC.IL

   

• IndiaOrth Mailing List : 
  • Primarily focusing on issues related to Indian orthopedics. Also to be found at http://www.indiaorth.org/ .
  • Email a subscription request to command@orthogate.org with the following line in the body of the message : subscribe indiaorth 
  • To send a message to the list : if you are a member of the list, you can send a message to all the members by sending the mail to indiaorth@orthogate.org 
  • Unsubscribe : if you are already on the list and wish to unsubscribe, send email to command@orthogate.org with the following line in the body of the message: unsubscribe indiaorth. 
  • For problems contact: Mangal Parihar, MD - mangal@usa.net or visit webpage

   

• OrthoNews Magazine Mailing List
  • subscription by filling out a form you will find here
  • several mailing groups ordered by supspecialty : Arthroscopy/Sports Medicine, Pelvis/Acetabular, Adult Hip Reconstruction, Adult Knee Reconstruction, Foot/Ankle, Other Adult Lower Extremity, Pediatric/Pediatric Spine, Spine, Shoulder/Arm, Elbow/Forearm/Wrist/Hand, Tumors/Metabolic Diseases, Basic Research

   

• Orthopaedic Trauma Association Newsletter
  • subscription address : mailto:%20listproc@lists.missouri.edu
  • subscription command : subscribe ORT-L <your name> (Leave the subject line blank.)
  • an electronic version of the newsletter in the form of a listserv discussion list to which newsletter articles and other items of interest to OTA members will be posted at frequent intervals.

   

• Orthotic and Prosthetic Listserver OandP-L ( Shands Hospital at the University of Florida)
  • subscription address :listserv@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu
  • subscription command : Subscribe oandp-l <yourfirstname yourlastname> <credentials> Your subscription confirmation will be sent to you within the day.
  • post a message as a subscriber to OANDP-L@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu
  • A free, global, e-mail based discussion group for professionals involved with the science of orthotics and prosthetics and endorsed by the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO)
  • contactperson : moderated by four orthotists, prosthetists, and educators from around the globe : Derek Jones, PhD (Strathclyde University), Tim Bach, PhD (The National Centre for Prosthetics and Orthotics, La Trobe University, Australia), Steve Fletcher, CPO (Shands Hospital at the University of Florida), and Paul E. Prusakowski, CO (Shands Hospital at the University of Florida)

   

• Ortopedía (en Castellano)
  • La primera lista de correos en español para cirujanos ortopédicos, rehabilitadores, radiológos, etc. Moderador y propietario de la lista: Dr. J.F. Martinez, Hospital Marina Baixa, Villajoyosa, Alicante, España. (intended as a discussion forum for spanish-speaking orthopaedic surgeons and related specialists) 
  • Para subscribirse, mandar un e-mail a listserv@listserv.rediris.es 
  • con el mensaje: subscribe ortopedia <nombre 1º apellido>

   

• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Mailing List 
  • subscription address : LISTSERV@ukcc.uky.edu
  • subscription message : SUBSCRIBE REHAB-RU <your name>
  • non moderated mail list
  • contactperson : Robert W. Moore, University of Kentucky : STR002@ukcc.uky.edu

   

• Podiatry Mailing List funded by Joint Academic Network (JANET) in the UK
  • subcription address : mailbase@mailbase.ac.uk
  • subscription message : join podiatry <firstname> <lastname> 
  • to promote research and academic excellence in podiatry. It acts as a forum for debate and exchange of ideas and protocols related directly and indirectly to podiatry.
  • contactperson : managed by Tony Redmond (a.c.redmond@hud.ac.uk) & Bob Kidd (b.kidd@uws.edu.au)

   

• Maillist for the Evaluation of Corporal Injuries
  • subscription address : majordomo@la-plaza.com
  • subscription message : subject field blank and the words: "subscribe vdc-l" (without quotes) in
    the body of the message
  • The Evaluation of Corporal Injuries is a medical activity that is basically diagnostic and prognostic, and which has as its objective the evaluation of the state of an individual's health. In doing this, it brings to bear
    qualitative and quantitative scientific judgements, which are needed for the determination of judicial or administrative compensation for the injury or disability in question, and thus becomes the final phase in the medical process leading to rehabilitation. Thus, it can be referred to as "medico-legal reporting".
  • The list is directed to Hispanic speakers, though it will also accept other European languages; it is intended to be open, but aimed primarily at doctors who must appear as "expert witnesses". Its objective is to serve as a meeting ground for the interchange of information and experiences, as well as to provide a space for announcements and other themes related to the Evaluation of Corporal Injury.
  • The VDC-L list concerns itself with : Traffic Accidents; Civil Responsibility; Worker Disabilities, as the result of either accident or common illness; Private Medical Insurance; Life Insurance; Healthcare Risk Management; Accident Insurance; the Evaluation of Handicapping Injuries; claims against medical malpractice, and, in general, all the administrative, legal and private fields in which the doctor must play the role of "expert witness".

   

• Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy List
  • subscription address : listserv@listserv.rsdnet.org
  • subscription message : In the body of the message put the command
    subscribe RSDNET-L <your full name> all on one line (you can copy and paste it from here).
  • You can use an alias if you prefer. You will get a message back asking you to confirm your request to join the list, just hit reply, type OK in the message body, and send. If you do not send the confirmation back within 48 hours, you will need to start the subscription process over.
  • RSDNet-L, the online discussion list for people with RSD, who know someone with RSD, or who treat people with RSD, is there to provide people with RSD someone to talk to 24-hours-a-day. The list is just over six months old and has more than 300 members, and is growing everyday. In order to maintain some privacy (and keep out spammers), only subscribers can post to the mailing list or read archived messages and the subscriber list is viewable only by the list owner.
  • more info at : http://www.rsdnet.org/RSDNet-L-info.html
  • contactperson : Karen Strauss at RSDNet.org, karen@rsdnet.org

   

• Repetitive Strain Injury Mailing List 
  • subscription address : listserver@tictac.demon.co.uk
  • subscription message : subscribe rsi-uk <your name>
  • a list in England for discussion of repetitive strain injury, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other forms of upper limb problems

   

• Scoliosis Mailing List
  • subscription address : mailto:%20scoliosis-request@ai.mit.edu
  • subscription message : subscribe (on a single line, in the body, by itself)
  • independent mailing list not affiliated with any group or institution; it's just maintained by and composed of people who have scoliosis. You probably should be wary of information and opinions you see on this page and expressed on the list. They're not doctors.
  • contactperson : Rich Lethin at lethin@ai.mit.edu

   

• Skeletal Dysplasia Mailing List 
  • subscription address : MAILSERV@CSMC.EDU
  • subscription message : SUBSCRIBE SKELDYS <YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS>
  • discussion about the molecular basis of skeletal dysplasias, clinical studies, problem cases
  • contactperson : Bill Wilcox : wwilcox@mailgate.csmc.edu

   

• Spine List at Spine Surgery
  • subscription address : addme@spine-surgery.com
  • subscription message : SUBSCRIBE list@spine-surgery.com "your name".
  • To broadcast a message to the list, send email to list@spine-surgery.com. Messages that are 'FROM' subscribed members will be broadcast to the email list by the list moderator.
  • the Spine List is a moderated email list operated as a forum for spine surgery discussion. It is presently moderated by Richard Holt, M.D. -- Spine Surgery, P.S.C. Spine List is intended to encourage collaborative discussions of geographically dispersed orthopaedic surgeons specializing in spine surgery.

   

• Sports Medicine Mailing List at AMSSMnet
  • subscription address: LISTSERV@MSU.EDU
  • subscription message: SUBSCRIBE AMSSMNet <your name>
  • discussion of sports medicine topics of interest to primary care physicians including clinical practice, research, meetings, and distribution of the AMSSM newsletter. Non moderated.
  • Contact : Dave Jenkinson, DO, Am. Medical Society for Sports Medicine, 13460DJ@msu.edu

   

• Trauma List 
  • subscription address : mailto:listserv@listserv.lsumc.edu 
  • subscription message : subscribe trauma-l yourfirstname yourlastname 
  • a list in the Lousiana State Medical Center in Shraveport, to discuss trauma care.

• Trauma-List Mail List Trauma-L@www.aast.org 
  • Mailing list for professionals involved in the management of major trauma.
  • To sign on visit the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma page and push the button on the menu (left side) for "Mail List" Archived. 
  • Registration is required (free).