1. Home>
2. Medical News>
3. Physican's First Watch>

We Need Your Advice

Dear Readers,

Physician's First Watch is considering suspending its editions during certain weeks of the year that tend to have less news — the last week in July, the last in August, and a week at the New Year.

During those weeks, we'd be on call. Any brow-furrowingly important news — for example, the withdrawal of a common drug from the marketplace, or a public health emergency — would bring us back online immediately. Otherwise, we'd catch you up, briefly of course, on our first day back.

The advantage of this system is that we'd be taking our time off when many of you also are.

Please take the poll and let us know what you think.

LINK(S):

Physician's First Watch (Free)

Published in Physician's First Watch July 30, 2009

Reader Remarks:

Read all Reader Remarks on this article

• suspending certain weeks
  Joy Anglea, international mission agency, 30 Jul 2009 3:34 PM EST
  This would be fine.
• Stopping publication for 3 weeks
  Phillip Lerner, 30 Jul 2009 3:34 PM EST
  Yes. Of course, there should be no publication if there is no significant news. Actually, you should follow this policy... [more]
• Suspension of news
  Debbie Miller-Saultz, Columbia University, 30 Jul 2009 3:34 PM EST
  I appreciate the updates, but 3 times a year is not going to change practice Thanks for the service- for... [more]
• Happy to have fewer emails
  S G, 30 Jul 2009 3:34 PM EST
  All professionals lead busy lives. Reducing the number of emails, especially those with no urgent content, is welcomed.
• Summer holidays
  John GILBERT, 30 Jul 2009 3:34 PM EST
  We'll miss you.
• we need your advice
  George B Howell, Out patient clinic, 30 Jul 2009 3:34 PM EST
  good thinking-saves time and improves effort.
• poll regarding suspending regular service
  vivian s vanroekel, 30 Jul 2009 4:08 PM EST
  I would be in favor of it if you reduce the price of your services accordingly. To be fair, you... [more]
• Thanks -- and a Clarification
  Amy O. Herman, Editor, Physician's First Watch, 30 Jul 2009 4:11 PM EST
  Thank you all for answering our poll. One reader has suggested we reduce the cost of our service if we... [more]
• We need your advice
  Merrill C. Jones, 31 Jul 2009 10:12 AM EST
  I feel it would be ungracious of me to complain about so small a reduction in the free (and valued)... [more]
• time off
  J K, 3 Aug 2009 3:42 PM EST
  I wish more companies would appreciate "time off" and not feel the need to produce 24/7. You provide a great... [more]
• advice
  Maria E. Tettamanti, 3 Aug 2009 3:42 PM EST
  I'm fine with your decision, even though I practice in the south hemisphere and I'm not on holiday that time!... [more]
• 3 week reduction in J.W.
  Lesley Fishelman M.D, 3 Aug 2009 3:42 PM EST
  seems fine to me....
• Physicians First Watch
  J.J. Wilhelm, 3 Aug 2009 3:42 PM EST
  This is a wonderful service. It is good to get as much time as we can with our friends and... [more]
• Poll re periodic time off.
  Ebenezer Zimmerman, 6 Aug 2009 12:32 PM EST
  I suppose you'll also want Christmas off. Bah, Humbug! All right, but be at your desks bright and early the... [more]
• Free weeks.
  BRILLOT Jacques, France, 6 Aug 2009 12:32 PM EST
  Yes, It is natural for you to have some times to breath a littlle, just when many are off. As... [more]
• stopping publication during 3 weeks
  carla huysmans, 6 Aug 2009 12:32 PM EST
  Yes,stopping the new for 3 weeks when there are no or few news,but standby svp when urgent news must communicated... [more]
• Please don't do that!
  Dr. Bob Pellegrine, 7 Aug 2009 12:28 PM EST
  The need for updated Medical News is 24/7 & 365 days a year. Written journals don't take off, why should... [more]