What's the most appropriate method to communicate health care information on-line?  So far there are no standards established for healthcare communication on-line.  We believe in the independent nature of the internet, but also realize that individuals looking for answers for healthcare problems can be put at risk by information that is incorrect, misleading or merely profit oriented without regard for the individual's welfare.  Our goal at Myfootshop.com is to limit your risk by establishing ethical guidelines and professional etiquette for our web site.

We appreciate your feedback regarding effective and appropriate communication of healthcare information.  Based upon our customer's suggestions, we have added, deleted and modified information on our site.  Our goal is to provide you with the most accurate content in a manner that is appropriate to your needs.  We look forward to your comments.

Below are policies that Myfootshop.com feels are important to insure effective communication for customers and users of this site.  Please remember, we are an educational resource.  We are not your doctor.  Please contact your doctor if you are unsure of any health condition.

1. Security And Confidentiality- Myfootshop.com uses encrypted secure software for financial transactions only.  Myfootshop.com is not HIPPA compliant and is not prepared to receive confidential or personal information from individuals.  Personal information forwarded to us may possibly be viewed by any number of employees of Myfootshop.com.  We ask that you do not forward confidential healthcare information to us by email or any other method. Any information collected by our website, such as email address, will never be passed on to any third party, unless required by law.

Currently we are using Google Analytics to analyze the audience of the website and improve our content. No personal information is collected from Google Analytics. For further information on the privacy policy concerning Google
Analytics, please go here, http://www.google.com/policies/privacy/.

Myfootshop.com does employ first party cookies.  First party cookies are used to assign you a session ID while on our site.  Session ID's are extremely helpful in that they are used to enable you complete your order.  Myfootshop.com does not use cookies to track your web activity or for purposes of marketing.

2. Emergency Care - We do not provide emergency care of any kind.  We suggest that you contact your doctor or local hospital for any questions that you feel are of an urgent or emergency nature.  

3. Doctor-Patient Relationship - We are an educational resource and cannot take the place of your doctor.  The following are specific steps that we take to prevent the impression of a doctor-patient relationship;

a. All Myfootshop.com employees are trained to help you with product selection only.  Myfootshop.com employees are not doctors or medical personnel. 
   
b. We cannot answer clinical questions by email or from our blog.  All clinical questions should be directed to your doctor or other health care provider.

c. Myfootshop.com does not maintain a medical record.

4. The Foot Talk Forum - The Foot Talk Forum is and educational resource available for viewing only.  The Forum was archived on 8-15-09.  The reason that the forum was archived was that we could not obtain an opinion from The Ohio State Medical Board regarding the issue of whether the forum constituted the practice of medicine.  An opinion from The Board is important in that the opinion would help to define appropriate standards for web based communication.  Until we can obtain an opinion from the board, The Forum will remain archived for viewing only.

5. Foot & Ankle Blog - Jeffrey Oster, DPM is founder and medical director of Myfootshop.com.  He also acts as The Foot & Ankle Blog moderator.  Dr. Oster's blog comments include discussions of health care trends and new technology in foot and ankle care.  Blog posts are monitored for spam or inappropriate post.  In reference to #4 above, Dr. Oster cannot answer clinical questions in the blog.

6. Honesty in Advertising - Content found on Myfootshop.com is not influenced by outside advertising.  Myfootshop.com does not accept or sponsor advertising from outside sources.  Myfootshop.com does not use Google AdWords or other pay-per-click (PPC) advertising. 

7. Misleading Or Deceptive Claims - Myfootshop.com strives to communicate clearly and effectively.  We respectfully request that you contact us with any question regarding information on our site that you feel is misleading or deceptive. 

Additional Policies

1. Myfootshop.com Images - All images on Myfootshop.com are copyright protected and not intended for public use.  Myfootshop.com images may only be used with written prior consent.  For additional information regarding use of Myfootshop.com images contact support@myfootshop.com.