The site is expected to be launched early next year. Consumers have flocked online as an easy way to obtain detailed information about diseases affecting them and their families. Doctors have complained, though, about being barraged by patient queries sparked by questionable material found on the Internet. Medem, based in San Francisco, also hopes to attract consumers by providing a direct link to Web sites of physicians who sign up for the service. About 50 writers and editors will provide daily health and medical research news.
Doctors can have their fee covered by a sponsoring company.
No sponsors have been signed up yet. Singer said the medical groups also will face a difficult balancing act in using corporate sponsors and advertising. That's because the AMA and other groups do not want to appear to be promoting certain companies or products. Dr. William Mahood said the new Internet site will make sure that problem does not occur, insisting that the site will clearly differentiate editorial content from advertising. Art Caplan, director of the center for bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania, said the AMA is on the right track helping doctors and patients use e-mail to communicate.