A Note and a Follow Up On Sermo

Medgadget,

Would love to get your thoughts on Joe's comment at:

http://www.xconomy.com/2007/09/26/sermo-strikes-back-a-physicians-online-community-lashes-out-against-bloggers-who-publicize-security-gap/#comment-1607

Here's the reply I posted to Joe at Xconomy.

Joe,

You do make good points about the business model, but frankly its not our position to judge them too much on that. What they’re doing is interesting, and could potentially be useful. We’ll see.
Regarding non-MD’s entering the site, the issue is not that outsiders can get access to read what’s there, but rather that outsiders can actually post. So, imagine a new drug, a pharma that implants a couple dozen trolls into Sermo, and then some investors ask Sermo’s doctors questions about the drug. Lo and behold, these trolls have substantial experience and great accolades for the new drug. Also, since the FDA is conducting a review of Sermo of whether they can milk it for early info on unknown side effects, imagine a competitor that gets some people in to write libel against a drug or device. This can lead to all sorts of hassles for the company.
So, the point is, if its a doctors only network, and because people are paying tens of thousands for the network’s opinions, then you need to get a better system, or call yourself a fraudster.
As for Dr Palestrant’s opinion that guaranteed security is impossible, I’d like to ask him how he got his MD license, and what methods that agency used to verify that he actually is Mr. Palestrant. Until then, I can only be sure that he is a white male with a knack for starting and selling companies very quickly. Also, it is not clear whether he actually wants to be a doctor, seeing how he’s only 33, and his last two jobs have been starting and then selling internet companies. You’re probably also wondering when was the last time he saw a patient, and how many he has had since being boarded. Oh, wait, I don’t think he finished his residency, as is gently implied in his bio:
“…completed medical school at Duke University, and trained in General Surgery at Beth Israel-Deaconess Hospital, in Boston before leaving to launch Sermo.”

Last question. How much would you put down on whether he will ever practice medicine again after he sells Sermo to some fools for $100 million?

Mr Palestrant, since you’re reading this, I do like that smirk on your face as you agree with me and do enjoy your achievements so much. Much luck, and may you never work a day in your life.

Everybody by now is fully aware as to flaws in security of signing in by physicians only. It would be helpful
if any physician or otherwise to detail what would be ideal requirements for logging into a physician site only.