User:Erich gasboy/Formal Wikidoc Proposal

Proposal to create a formalised group of doctors in Wikipedia

This is a proposal I put forward - (to largely stunned silence?) - and is being discussed at the doctors' mess

The essence of the proposal is:

1. mutual credentialling
2. all important decisions about public positions and credentialling to be by consensus until numbers become greater than ~10-20

The elements of Wiki-credentialing could be:

1. behaviour
2. knowledge
3. communication skills
4. e-mail verification from a legitamate domain (ie joe.blog@nhs.gov.uk etc not DrFeelGood@hotmail.com)
5. web verification through government 'medical boards' (eg [(mine)] or [GMC]) webserver.

People claiming to meet the first three criteria would be very welcome, but the ability to veto a decision would only be by the group willing to take the next two steps (that are not onerous)

Current Status (Summary)

As at 7 May, 2004, the current status of the proposal is best described as embryonic.

Currently needs:

• views of peers of if the idea has merits
• enhancements to texts of bylaws
• a name

How to contribute

• edit the proposal on this page, or
• discuss at the mess

Purpose

• Provide a sense of structure and organisation for new doctors entering Wikipedia
• Improve our effectiveness by carrying the reputation we have in the community into the Wikicommunity
• Provide support for other projects desired by members
• Prevent disruption by WikiQuacks
• needs more here

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Elements of a proposal to formalise Wikidocs :

• Credentialling
  • Establishment of a credentialling committee
  • Establishment of credentialling rules
  • Credentialling of founding members
• Naming
  • Name of project
  • Name of group (XXXXX)
• Establishment of editorial committee
  • Formulation of editorial policies
• Fleshing out our purpose
  • Formulation and consensus reaching on formal proposal to Wikefoundation
  • What is our role in Wikipedia (mission, goals, ?strategy)
  • How can we assist or colleagues?
  • How can we assist our patients?
• Establishment of 'executive board'
  • Establishment of by-laws.
  • Managing External relations
    • Nomination of spokesperson
    • Engagement of WikiFoundation

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Draft By-laws of the 'XXXXX'

Section 1. Founding Provisions

1. XXXX shall come into existence when at least four medical doctors ('The Founding Members') have submitted themselves to credentialling by the other Founding Members. Credentialling shall consist of verification the candidates' behavior, knowledge and communication skills, supported by e-mail verification of true identity and web verification of registration with a recognised government endorsed registration authority.
2. The Founding Members shall by mutual agreement
   1. endorse the founding By-Laws
   2. appoint the founding Executive Board

Section 2. Maintenance of these By-Laws

1. These by-laws are only valid once approved by all members of the XXXXX Executive Board.

Section 3. The Executive Board

1. The Executive Board oversees and appoints the members of the
   • XXXXX Credentialling Committee; and the
   • XXXXX Editorial Committee.
2. New appointments to must be approved by at least two-thirds of all XXXX members holding level 5 credentials.
3. Board members may be removed by a petition signed by least two-thirds of all XXXX members holding level 5 credentials.
4. The Executive Board must endorse any changes to the following documents prior to their promulgation:
   1. The By-laws
   2. The XXXXX Mission Statement (see Appendix B)
   3. The XXXXX Editorial Policy
5. No individual may contact an outside party claiming to represent XXXXX without the express permission of The Executive Board.

Section 4. Decision Making

1. Each Committee and the Board shall:
   1. have a quorum of the greater of (a) four or (b) half the members;
   2. have at least four and no more than fifteen members;
   3. allow seven days after a proposal for members to express a view;
   4. reach all decisions by consensus of a quorum.

1. The XXXXX Credentialling Committee shall:
   1. maintain and publish a register of all credentialled Wiki-doctors;
   2. resolve disputes and complaints about credentialled Wiki-doctors;
   3. keep all personal information (including true identity) strictly confidential

Appendix A - Definitions

doctor

a medical doctor registered by a government endorsed registration authority.

government endorsed registration authority

a body recognised to have the same role as the [Medical Board of Queensland] or the [GMC].

outside party

any group other than XXXXX, includes members of the public, wikipedians, the WikiFoundation etc.

level 5 credentials

verification by the Credentialling Committee of the candidates' behavior, knowledge and communication skills, supported by e-mail verification of true identity and web verification of registration with a recognised government endorsed registration authority

Appendix B - Mission Statement

XXXXX aims to improve the quality of health related information available to the public and professional community under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.

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