[edit] Sarcopenia
Who gave Sarcopenia a "low importance" assessment? That seems to be a poor decision. Gacggt (talk) 22:19, 10 January 2009 (UTC)
- I did (months and months ago); the article struck me as being more about the term (which is not important) than about the phenomenon (which is important). It's changed significantly since then, and I've reassessed. WhatamIdoing (talk) 22:31, 10 January 2009 (UTC)
- Okay, thank you. Since I've just re-written the article, can the "quality" assessment also be revisited? Thanks again... Gacggt (talk) 22:27, 12 January 2009 (UTC)
-
- It's insufficiently sourced to be a B-class article, and the lead will require a good deal of work before you could consider a good article nomination. Are you familiar with the manual of style for medicine-related articles? It's sometimes helpful for developing a reasonably complete article. WhatamIdoing (talk) 02:43, 13 January 2009 (UTC)
[edit] Life skills
Is Life skills within the scope of this project? I don't want to be unnecessarily exclusionist, but I don't want to treat daily life like a medical issue, either. WhatamIdoing (talk) 21:32, 11 February 2009 (UTC)
- I don't think it should be in the scope of the project. I see WPMED as covering what physicians practice, rather than being inclusive of all healthcare and social-related items. --Scott Alter 17:43, 19 February 2009 (UTC)
[edit] Revision of tagging guidelines
Since the Is WPMED the correct WikiProject to support this article? section was created last year, we have never really discussed the suggestions. I'd like to address these items now. I think that most of the "probably yes" items should be "probably no." Is there any reason to double tag items? When a project is identified as a descendant of WPMED, I think it is no longer necessary to include WPMED. Why bother including all articles of Nursing, Anatomy, and Dentistry, when the respective project already maintains its own listing of articles that are all a sub-set of Medicine? Regarding Pharmacology, although the scope of the project is "articles relating to drugs and pharmacology," I'd say that almost all articles relate to humans. Also, taking a look at current practice, most medications are not tagged with WPMED. Because of this, I would also say that WPMED should not be tagged on medication articles.
The "probably no" and "use judgment" sections look good. The only change I would make is about infectious diseases/pathogens. I think the pathogens should not belong to WPMED, but the diseases should. The pathogens would be tagged with Wikipedia:WikiProject Microbiology, Wikipedia:WikiProject Prokaryotes and protists, Wikipedia:WikiProject Viruses, Wikipedia:WikiProject Fungi, etc. Exceptions would be infections that are treated medically to prevent progression to disease (such as HIV) and pathogens that cause various illnesses that do not have their own disease names (such as Staphylococcus aureus) - the reasoning being that these articles include a significant amount of medical information about pathogen detection and treatment in humans.
Another item I would add to "probably no" is non-medical health-related articles. These would be better covered by Wikipedia:WikiProject Health and fitness. --Scott Alter 18:27, 19 February 2009 (UTC)
- Isn't it actually advisable to decide upon all those things in close cooperation with the sister projects? Is there some interaction between the projects? The lists of "probably yes" and "no" need to be coordinated between overlapping projects, otherwise it might be a little futile.
- As a new user who just wants to improve Wikipedia, and who's interested in a subject on the cusp between microbiology and prokaryotes and medicine, I find it hard to decide to which project to belong and to whose regulations and scope to be more "loyal".
- I just wish there were some "Life and Health Science MetaWikiProject Council" that will address exactly this overlap. But maybe I'm wishing for too much. :-). Pixie (talk) 11:31, 20 February 2009 (UTC)
-
- Each WikiProject gets to determine its own scope. So WPMED can include, or not include, any article it wants, even if it seems utterly irrational to the outside observer. Consequently, there's no need to coordinate with other projects, and when you're tagging an article, you follow the guidelines (if any) for the specific tag. In practice, this means that you follow our advice for placing (or not) the WPMED tag, and when we (meaning "I", since I wrote that section originally) suggest the addition of other projects, it's simply a suggestion.
- It's important not to confuse the WikiProject system with article categories. WikiProjects are social groups that have declared an interest in some articles. If people wanted, they could start a "WikiProject Random articles", based on improving any article that they reach by clicking Special:Randompage.
- Scott, I like your suggested addition to 'probably not'. I'd be happy to see our list narrowed a bit; we have a lot of articles that we've included simply because there's no WikiProject Physiology. The result is thousands of low-importance (to WPMED) articles. WhatamIdoing (talk) 23:15, 22 February 2009 (UTC)
-
-
- As you can see, I just updated the section. Feel free to make changes or add comments as you see fit. --Scott Alter 03:33, 25 February 2009 (UTC)
[edit] WPMED template changes
At Template talk:WPMED#Meta Banner, I have re-started the discussion of converting {{WPMED}} to use {{WPBannerMeta}}. This would cause minor changes to article categorization, which should have some discussion. It would be appreciated if any interested editors wound contribute at Template talk:WPMED#Meta Banner. --Scott Alter 17:58, 26 February 2009 (UTC)
- I just updated {{WPMED}}. Many task forces will now have an increase in unknown-importance articles. If the task forces do not assess their articles importance, then articles will appear as unknown instead of taking the main importance for WPMED. The other change is that the names of the categories for unassessed articles has changed. It will now use Category:Unassessed medicine articles and similarly-named categories for the task forces. --Scott Alter 21:14, 27 February 2009 (UTC)
[edit] Disease outbreaks
Should this project include articles about disease outbreaks? There are many articles about epidemics (within Category:Epidemics) - some have WPMED tags, others don't. Ideally, they would belong to a public health project, but one does not exist. Alternatively, they might fall under Wikipedia:WikiProject Disaster management. --Scott Alter 16:03, 28 February 2009 (UTC)
- From my memory of previous discussions, the two views are "only if they actually had some practice-changing implications for medicine" (otherwise, they're more local history than anything else) and "all of them, but they're low importance". I can work with either option.
- As an aside, I'm not convinced that this category (and its subcats) is being correctly applied. It is both strangely empty and contains a few things I wouldn't include. WhatamIdoing (talk) 18:21, 28 February 2009 (UTC)
So would you consider Coxsackie A virus to be within the scope of this project? There's some information about diseases and their treatments, but the diseases have other names/separate articles. WhatamIdoing (talk) 01:21, 13 March 2009 (UTC)
- I'm not sure. Based on the criteria I wrote, probably not...but I wouldn't be opposed to its inclusion. It is hard to generalize all organisms/infections. Maybe another criterion to add is to include any organism that causes a disease process that also could be caused by other things. So, using coxsackie as an example:
- Coxsackie A virus would be excluded, since it is one of the few causes of Hand, foot and mouth disease (which should contain medical information)
- Coxsackie B virus would be included, since it can be the source of problems with many other potential causes. In pericarditis and myocarditis, coxsackie B might be mentioned as a cause, but I would not expect the illness articles to contain specific management for coxsackie B (unlike the coxsackie A with hand, foot and mouth disease).
- I realize that this is basically splitting hairs and being overly specific, but I'm just trying to put my thought process into words and making it generalizable to all articles. If you can do it better (or want to use different criteria), give it a shot! I'm not that strongly in favor one way or the other, but I think the way I outlined makes sense such that WPMED is only including the articles with the bulk of the medical information. --Scott Alter 03:36, 13 March 2009 (UTC)
- If this were an easy one, I wouldn't have asked. ;-)
- Let's say that we included both of them for the sake of my next question: How would you rate the importance of a good article to this project? Both mid? Both low? Cocksackie B at mid, and Cocksackie A at low? Something else? WhatamIdoing (talk) 04:51, 13 March 2009 (UTC)
Is Genital retraction syndrome a "medical condition"? Is it within the scope of this project? If so, is it Mid- or Low-importance? WhatamIdoing (talk) 22:07, 27 March 2009 (UTC)
- Looks more apropos of WP Psychology. If it is a medical condition, would think low-importance. Zodon (talk) 02:45, 28 March 2009 (UTC)
What about Nicotine polacrilex? It seems to be the active ingredient in nicotine chewing gum and such things. WhatamIdoing (talk) 22:35, 28 March 2009 (UTC)
- Nicotine polacrilex should be under the scope of WP:DRUGS. Renaissancee (talk) 23:13, 3 June 2009 (UTC)
[edit] Why isn't sexuality and disability WPMED?
The WPMED tag which I added to Sexuality and disability was recently removed, with the comment that the article appears to be outside the scope of WPMED. I am having troubles figuring out why it would be outside the scope, given that disability and Assistive technology are in WPMED.
Reproductive health counseling includes assistance for disabled and information on sexuality in older age. Likewise, there are medical procedures, medications and devices to assist the disabled with sexuality (restoring sexual function, working around limitations, etc.). Thoughts? Zodon (talk) 05:43, 18 April 2009 (UTC)
-
- I don't feel strongly about this, but in general, the subject of that stub does not appear to be (1) a disease or (2) a treatment for a disease, which are the core areas for this project. In fact, it appears to be about normal life, as complicated by various social and physical challenges. We don't really want to medicalize everything. WhatamIdoing (talk) 21:40, 18 April 2009 (UTC)
-
-
- Not trying to over medicalize, guess I tend to include conditions as well as diseases, and see disabilities as typically conditions that result from diseases, accidents, physiological malfunction or other medical causes -- which are usually studied, treated, and ameliorated by medical people or medical means. Zodon (talk) 07:11, 19 April 2009 (UTC)
- I don't claim to have the one True™ answer here; it's certainly an issue over which reasonable people can disagree.
- The decision is also complicated by the stubbiness of the article. From the title, I think that this is more likely to move in a sociological direction: e.g., society frowns on sexual activity among disabled people, it's hard for a disabled person to find a partner, do paraphilias, infertility and impotence really count as disabilities (I think most people would say no), and so forth. I don't really think there's all that much to be said about core medical issues. A disabled person that has, or wants to have, sex is not really any more likely to need medical intervention than a non-disabled person. Perhaps you have a different notion of what the article will eventually say? WhatamIdoing (talk) 01:49, 20 April 2009 (UTC)
[edit] House (TV series)
Is House (TV series) within the scope of this project? WhatamIdoing (talk) 19:36, 5 May 2009 (UTC)
- Nope, House is a TV Show, not a documentary or a important physician. Doesn't meet our scope. Renaissancee (talk) 16:33, 2 June 2009 (UTC)
- Good, because that's what I thought, and so I pulled the tag. WhatamIdoing (talk) 21:28, 2 June 2009 (UTC)
[edit] Major country-specific articles
Normally, a country specific article is low importance. But what about a major article area, like "Health in (name of country)"? Low, or mid? WhatamIdoing (talk) 18:55, 23 May 2009 (UTC)
[edit] Hospitals and Major Biomedical research centers?
Are they in our scope or not? The preset scope does not give me any help. Renaissancee (talk) 04:04, 2 June 2009 (UTC)
- Yes -- assuming that they are truly notable/shouldn't be deleted -- but of "Low" importance. WhatamIdoing (talk) 21:29, 2 June 2009 (UTC)
[edit] Yawn: in or out?
What do you think: Is Yawn within the scope of this project? I think it can be a medical sign, but the article doesn't really discuss that. WhatamIdoing (talk) 23:34, 9 June 2009 (UTC)
- In. It has diagnostic relevance, e.g. in the diagnosis and treatment of migraine. JFW | T@lk 21:20, 10 June 2009 (UTC)
Y Done C/Mid, then, seems about right to me. There's almost no medical information (so it's not complete enough for us to declare B class), and since it relates to hyperventilation and migraine (and perhaps more), then mid seems reasonable enough. Please feel free to change if you disagree. WhatamIdoing (talk) 21:31, 10 June 2009 (UTC)
[edit] In or out? (six)
What do you think? Are the following articles within WPMED's scope?
- Human anatomy
- Fetal position
- ACAM2000 (smallpox vaccine)
- 72F fusion protein (experimental tuberculosis vaccine)
- Lujo virus (virus, with reported cases)
- A Counterblaste to Tobacco (old medical/health publication)
Please share your opinions. WhatamIdoing (talk) 22:11, 11 June 2009 (UTC)
- Anatomy? I think you already know my answer for that. It's not under our scope.
- Fetal Position doesn't really have to do with medicine at all except you can get yourself into their, so I'd say no.
- Smallpox Vaccine: Drug, under WPPHARM
- Vaccine: Drug, under WPPHARM
- Lujo Virus: Yes, disease.
- The Treatsie? If that task force of "potentional quackery" or whatever we're going to call it is passed, I believe it should be under WPMED, if not, then no, it shouldn't.
Renaissancee (talk) 16:24, 16 June 2009 (UTC)
-
-
- We accept Alternative medicine, and Human anatomy is a major subject area that is no less related.
- Fetal position is a major issue for obstetrics. An unfortunate presentation could be classified as a medical condition.
- WhatamIdoing (talk) 20:13, 16 June 2009 (UTC)
[edit] ______ Anonymous
Lots of these articles like AA or Marijuana Anonymous, ect have popped up with the WPMED tag. Are they under our scope? Renaissancee (talk) 16:20, 16 June 2009 (UTC)
- After several days of scratching my head over that, I finally assessed them today, but I'm not committed to it. Ultimately, my thought was this: we accept a whole lot of disease-related organizations, like Talk:American Cancer Society, and who's to say that drug addiction is less of a "disease" than cancer? WhatamIdoing (talk) 20:10, 16 June 2009 (UTC)
[edit] In or out: Urban legends about illegal drugs
Is Urban legends about illegal drugs within the scope of WPMED? It seems more WP:HEALTH to me. WhatamIdoing (talk) 23:36, 28 June 2009 (UTC)
[edit] In or out: Psychologist studying biology of vision
What subject area would you classify Thomas T. Norton in? Psychology, because he has a PhD in psychology? Or ophthalmology, because of his work on how the eye works? WhatamIdoing (talk) 18:36, 2 July 2009 (UTC)
[edit] A classification
Little unsure about the A classification. Does it require a formal review? Or can they simply be applied? Tay Sachs disease has some formatting issues and contains numerous pictures that add nothing? Were would one post to have it reassessed? Cheers--Doc James (talk · contribs · email) 22:52, 11 July 2009 (UTC)
- WPMED does not have a process for identifying A-class articles. The general recommendations (i.e., from other articles) are that A-class articles should be reviewed by two editors who are at least somewhat familiar with the content area, and who have not been significantly involved.
- If you think that a previously identified A-class no longer deserves that ranking, then you should feel free to demote it unilaterally. WhatamIdoing (talk) 23:40, 11 July 2009 (UTC)
[edit] Medical Law
The [Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005] was added to our scope a few days ago, but I have no clue if it should be under our wing, should we give it to WP Law? Or what? Renaissancee (talk) 17:51, 15 November 2009 (UTC)
-
- Law that apply specifically to medicine I feel belong under WP:MED. Of low importance however.Doc James (talk · contribs · email) 17:56, 15 November 2009 (UTC)
Any comments? My personal opinion is no. A page on the medical aspect of mercury yes but not on mercury in general. Lead for example is not part of WP:MED.Doc James (talk · contribs · email) 20:09, 23 December 2009 (UTC)
- No. This is what mercury poisoning is for. JFW | T@lk 22:29, 23 December 2009 (UTC)
-
- removed. Doc James (talk · contribs · email) 23:18, 23 December 2009 (UTC)
