Combating internet misinformation - Press Release - Thyroid Controversial Topics Event

Combating internet misinformation

The London group of the British Thyroid Foundation (BTF), a national patient charity, is organising an event for thyroid patients and people with an interest in thyroid disorders at the Royal Free Hospital, London on Saturday, 10th May 2014.

Thyroid disease is very common and usually easily treated - one in 20 people in the UK have a thyroid disorder - yet it is largely a hidden disease and many cases, where treatment is not straightforward, it can have a devastating impact on people’s lives.  

Leading Endocrine Surgeon, Mr John Lynn, MS FRCS, will be giving a talk on Thyroid Controversial Topics.

Mr John Lynn, MS FRCS, Endocrine Surgeon

All past meetings of this local group have been extremely well attended and enjoyable 

 attendees at BTF London Group Feb 2014 event

This is expected to be a very popular subject, so many patients with thyroid conditions can become confused by controversy surrounding their illness, particularly if they have turned to the internet in search of answers, as many do in desperation. While they may often appreciate that the information they discover is likely to be of questionable quality still they yearn to get fuller answers about some of the controversies they come across and their doctors seem seldom to have the time or perhaps the specialist knowledge required to satisfy this need.  And not all doctors agree with each other about some aspects of thyroid care. Research in some areas is lacking. The good doctors will often admit they don’t have all the answers.  

Patients who are struggling to be well often struggle to find the best solutions amidst such controversy, even when they have sympathetic clinicians.  BTF provides excellent and comprehensive information, yet many patients remain frustrated and doubtful of what to believe.  

Dr Lynn’s long experience, patient focus and impeccable clinical credentials make him the perfect speaker to tackle this topic. 

The event will also be an opportunity for patients to share their experiences and connect with each other. 

Thyroid disease will be relevant to many of your«media_list_for_BTF_London_press_releases» readers and a real problem for some of them, we would be thrilled if you could write about our event to help reach out to those who could benefit from it. 

Where and when

The event will take place on Saturday, 10th May, from 10am to 1pm, in the Sir William Wells Atrium, Royal Free Hospital, Hampstead. 

Refreshments will be provided. Donations will be welcomed, with a suggested minimum of £3 per person, to help cover the costs of the event.

For more information or to book a place  go to: http://btflondon.eventbrite.co.uk  

Notes for editors

Mr John Lynn, MS FRCS Surgeon, a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons for over 40years,  previously Consultant Surgical Endocrinologist at Hammersmith Hospital and honourary Senior Lectureer in the Department of Survery Imperial College of Science Medicine and Technology is now in private practice at 9 Harley Street and has admitting rights and does ops in Weymouth Hospital, King Edward VII and the Lister Hospital: http://www.endocrinesurgeon.co.uk 

The British Thyroid Foundation (BTF) is a national patient support charity dedicated to supporting people with thyroid disorders and helping their families and people around them to understand the condition. It works with medical professionals from the British Thyroid Association and the British Association of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgeons. Website www.btf-thyroid.org 

The BTF London group, was launched in 2011 and meets around five times a year. We usually get around 50 attendees and feedback on all events so far has been very enthusiastic. 

Lorraine Williams writes the increasingly popular Thyroid Hope blog, sharing her own experiences of thyroid disease and running the BTF London Group: www.thyroid-hope.blogspot.com 

The Royal Free Hospital is six minutes walk from Belsize Park underground station, 14 minutes from Hampstead underground station, and just four minutes walk from Hampstead Heath railway station. The meeting will be held in The Atrium which will be clearly signposted from the main entrance. Parking space is extremely limited in the local area so attendees are encouraged to use public transport.