HONcode certificate: respect of the 8 HONcode principles by the health website

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Certificate of compliance with the Code of Conduct HONcode

The health Website
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Self Help Group
is in compliance with the HONcode

Title of the site: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Self Help Group
Web address: http://www.ibsgroup.org/
HONcode PIN number : HONConduct581696
Date of initial review: 15 Feb 2000
Validity of certificate 09 Mar 2012 - Mar 2014
Date of last visit 26 Apr 2012
Show the HONcode seal on this site

This certificate confirms the revision of the site by the HONcode Team at the above date.
It respects and pledges to honor the 8 principles of the HON Code of Conduct (HONcode).

* 1. Authoritative 2. Complementarity 3. Privacy 4. Attribution 5. Justifiability 6. Transparency
7. Financial disclosure 8. Advertising policy

Speed access of ethical health information online is critical.

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Do you think the site is not respecting the HONcode?

The Health on the Net (HON) certificate serves as a guarantee that this website, at the date of its certification, complies with and pledges to honor the 8 principles of the HON Code of Conduct as drawn up by the HON foundation.

The responsible of the certified site commits to keep the site in compliance with the HON code principles for the duration of the certification.

Although measures such as a complaint mechanism, the periodical review and the automatic surveillance mechanisms are put in place to guarantee the compliance of the certified website with the ethical principles of HON as much as possible, incidental inaccuracies cannot be completely excluded. In no event the HON foundation and/or its partner(s) can be held liable for any damages resulting from the use or inability to use HON certified websites nor can the HON foundation and/or its partner(s) be held liable for the content of these certified websites, including, but not limited to the information of third-parties or hyperlinks accessible via HON certified websites.

The certified website is responsible for the content of its website, unless otherwise provided by law.

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You will find below the elements identified by the HONcode team at a precise date to justify the respect of the 8 ethical principles.

The content of this certificate has been collected and written by the Health On the Net Foundation (HON) and should not be used without previous permission granted by HON. A request for permission can be sent to: HON.

1. Information must be authoritative

Founder
Jeffrey D. Roberts, MSEd, B.Sc.

Medical Advisory Board
Barbara Bradley Bolen, Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist
Lucinda A. Harris, M.S., M.D., Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale/Phoenix
(09 Mar 2012) -

For the collaborative platform:

Please remember that we do not actively monitor the contents of and are not responsible for any messages posted. We do not vouch for or warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any message, and are not responsible for the contents of any message. The messages express the views of the author of the message, not necessarily the views of this BB or any entity associated with this BB. Any user who feels that a posted message is objectionable is encouraged to contact us immediately by email. We have the ability to remove objectionable messages and we will make every effort to do so, wi... (09 Mar 2012) -

2. Presentation of the site
Mission:

The IBS Self Help and Support Group is an award-winning site which works to educate those who are living with IBS and to increase awareness about this and other functional gastrointestinal disorders.
(09 Mar 2012) -

For the collaborative platform:

This forum is designed to help our new visitors navigate their way around our site and our discussion forums
(09 Mar 2012) -

Audience:

The IBS Self Help and Support Group, formed its charter in 1987 as a patient led and patient governed educational organization for those who suffer from IBS, those who are looking for support for someone who has IBS, medical professionals who want to learn more about IBS and to be responsible patient advocates on local, regional and federal levels.
(09 Mar 2012) -

Purpose of the website

The information provided within by the IBS Group is intended as supplemental material only. In no way are these documents meant to be a substitute for professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner, nor should it be implied as such. ALWAYS check with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your condition, or before starting a new program of treatment. Information for this website comes from personal experience with the disease and from research and clinical experience in the field.
(09 Mar 2012) -

3. Confidentiality

IBS Self Help and Support Group ("IBS Group") respects your privacy. That's why we have created this Privacy Statement to explain how and why we collect certain information online, and how we use that information. This statement also explains how you can prevent collection of certain information about yourself, if you choose. Please take a few moments to read our Privacy Statement. This statement applies to both information we collect from visitors to the IBSGroup.org Web site, as well as information we collect or have access to when on our message boards.
(09 Mar 2012) -

For the collaborative platform:

The messages express the views of the author of the message, not necessarily the views of this BB or any entity associated with this BB. Any user who feels that a posted message is objectionable is encouraged to contact us immediately by email. We have the ability to remove objectionable messages and we will make every effort to do so, within a reasonable time frame, if we determine that removal is necessary. This is a manual process, however, so please realize that we may not be able to remove or edit particular messages immediately.
(09 Mar 2012) -

4. Information must be documented: Referenced and dated

Sources at the end of articles. Also in the about us page.

Only data for one sample are displayed among those selected.

Source:
Mayo Clinic, http://www.mayoclinic.com
Lotronex.com
Amitiza.com
Mark Pimentel MD, Annals of Internal Medicine vol. 145 no. 8 557-563
(09 Mar 2012) -

For the collaborative platform:

You agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyright is owned by you or by these forums. You agree, to the best of your ability, to give references (links) to any health or medical information you provide, when you are not providing your own personal experience, ie: anything that you have not undergone by yourself.

(09 Mar 2012) -

Site last update visible at the bottom of each page.

Last updated March 3, 2012
(09 Mar 2012) -

For the collaborative platform:

Posted Yesterday, 10:31 PM
(09 Mar 2012) -

5. Justification of claims

The medical community has not yet determined the cause for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. A combination of treatments may help a sufferer cope with the symptoms; however given the diverse symptoms of IBS sufferers; diarrhea, constipation, pain, bloating, etc.., and it's chronic nature, none of these treatments at present will ultimately cure IBS.
IBS is a non-life threatening illness. It does not progress or increase your risk of developing Inflammatory Bowel Disease or Cancer. Treatment focuses on the relief of symptoms so you can live your life as normally as possible.

There... (09 Mar 2012) -

For the collaborative platform:

You agree, through your use of this service, that you will not use these forums to post any material which is knowingly false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, inappropriate for a young adult or child, or otherwise violative of any law. This BB enforces a zero tolerance policy for hate. Those propagating hate about an individual, group, religion or belief will lose their posting privileges. You agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyright is owned by you or by these forums. (09 Mar 2012) -

6. User support and adequation

Postal address, phone and e-form provided.

Contact Us
(09 Mar 2012) -

7. Disclosure of funding sources

The activities of the IBS Self Help and Support Group's web site are supported solely by advertisements. (...)Some funding to develop content is provided in the form of an unrestricted educational grant or promotional grant, and is branded as such.
(09 Mar 2012) -

For the collaborative platform:

Jeffrey Roberts, Founder
IBS Self Help and Support Group
(09 Mar 2012) -

8. Advertising policy

Advertisement
(09 Mar 2012) -

Advertising and affiliation do not dictate editorial content.
(09 Mar 2012) -

Advertising and affiliation do not dictate editorial content. There is no implied endorsement of any sponsored product advertised on/through the IBSGroup.org website.
(09 Mar 2012) -

An advertisement is distinguished by the word "Advertisement".
(09 Mar 2012) -

For the collaborative platform:

If you would like to advertise a product on this website please refer to our Advertising page. Any member who misuses their account by posting unpaid advertising will have their membership removed from this website.
(09 Mar 2012) -

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