Our Incredible Online Forum Print
Written by Naturav4   
 
  The Natural Medicine Network is being created to allow people within the natural medicine community to communicate.  It will be a place collaborate, exchange resources and talk with students and doctors around the country.  This page is the homepage to an online forum that will be released in December 2008 to all those who create a username and password on this page.  The Natural Medicine Network has been designed by a student for prospective students, ND/MSOM students and practitioners.  Friends, family and the curious are also welcome.
 
  Create a username and password on the left side of this page.  This is, of course, free.  Please remember that this is a public forum and you may not want to use your entire name, birthday and social security number as a username.  Click on "read more" if you're not used to online forums.  With hundreds of students and doctors registered so far, there's no telling who you will meet here.  If you find it useful, along pass this link on to the doctors and students you know.  It's success depends on that small action.  
 
  Click "read more" for an introduction to the forum.
 
 
 

More about the Forum

 How's this work?

Online forums are a great place for information and friendships from afar.  You can talk to people from all around the world.  This is different from a chat room, however, because you don't need to be online at the same time.  If you post a topic, students and doctors can answer you with a variety of perspectives.  Everyone can read this 'thread' so you may learn something you never thought to ask.  It's also searchable online.

Here are a few of the sections of the forum to give you a feel for the purpose followed by a short tutorial on how to get the most out of your time here. 

The online forum that you're signing up for and promoting includes sections for students and practitioners in both Naturopathic and Chinese Medicine.  You can post about classes, CE credit, preceptor requirements, residencies, externiships, tips on practicing, events and more.  You will also find the "Campfire" section where all can gather to talk about anything from philosophy to the best hiking spots in Colorado.

The Business and Groups sections are designed for announcements, discussion, ideas, and goals.  If someone has a marketing tool or a question about accounting software, it would go there.  Student Groups are free discuss agendas, events or exchange ideas with other schools' student groups.  Simply by posting what a group is currently doing can spark conversations of teamwork and inspiration across the country.

The Classifieds are included for buying and selling books and equipment to each other around the nation.  You can also use it to sell items locally such as a dresser from a 4th year student in Pheonix, post a help wanted for your clinic or a Kombucha starter request.

The NPLEX help section is where students can prepare for their exams.  Doctors and those who have taken the exams are more than welcome to answer questions, give advice and post interesting cases for practice.

 "My Mentor" section is just that.  How do you get through school?  How do you start a business?  How do you maintain your patient base?  Life's hurdles have already been jumped over by someone.  Come to share and come to learn.

This is a public forum and the admissions teams across the country are invited to distribute the upcoming online forum for those exploring natural medicine.  Incoming students have been given their own section to ask for advice, get through prerequisites and make the enormous decision to join our natural health team.

 

The Tutorial

This section is in progress, but here are some general tips from the administrator:

1.  Click on "NMN Forum" in the green menu on the homepage.  You may have to log in twice.  Don't worry.  If you have any troubles, just let me know. 

2.  Find a section of interest and click on the title.  Like this one:

3. Now, you've got some "threads" in front of you.  You can choose to post a new topic by clicking on the green button.  See where is says "Unsubscibe forum" below the button?  I have subscribed to the forum so that anything new posted I will know about.  This is great if you're in a certain area, like "Chinese Med Students" and want to know if anything is being posted from day to day. You can also look for this option when you start a topic so you'll know when someone replies to you.

 

 

4. So lets post something.  Quick, think of something...  O.k., I'll start.  I'm going to post a question to ND students everywhere about finding someone to shadow.  Try to keep the subject line clear for people browsing to read.  (If you've taken an hour to type your message, I suggest you copy it to make sure you don't suddenly lose it.  The forum could assume that you've gone offline and prompt you to log in again.)  Hit "Submit" at the bottom of the page.

 

 

5. Now you're taken here to see what you just created.  If you don't like something about it, hit the edit button and it will take you back to the previous screen.  See the "Subscribe topic" line?  Readers can click on your profile, see your avatar, (the picture under your name) and private message you.  If you don't want anyone else to see or if you're bartering over something in the classifieds, use the PM button to talk just to that person.  

If there's ever something you think could be a problem in our community, hit the exclamation button and the bottom left to report it quietly.  You can also delete your post altogether if no one has replied to it yet.

 

 

Let me know if you're confused about anything.  Poke around, edit your profile, add some friends, create a group and post some replies.  This can be an amazing resource for us all.