Ask Fellow Optoms

Terms and Conditions

1. Introduction

Welcome to Ask Fellow Optoms. These Terms and Conditions govern your use of our app and the services provided. By using this app, you agree to comply with and be bound by these terms. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use the app.

2. User Agreement

By downloading, accessing, or using Ask Fellow Optoms, you confirm that you are an eye care professional over the age of 17 and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions and our Privacy Policy. If you do not meet these requirements, please refrain from using the app.

3. Features and Use

3.1 Posting Feature

Users can post clinical or other relevant cases to clinical practice. Users must always respect patient privacy and maintain anonymity in any text or images they share. By using the app you, as a user, have ensured that you have collected consent for any patient-related data you wish to share. When sharing content that involves a patient case you agree that you have informed the patient about how their information will be used, explained their right to object, obtained informed consent and ensured that the patient understands the implications. You therefore agree that the responsibility falls on the user to ensure patient confidentiality, privacy and anonymity is maintained. By using this feature, users understand and accept that the content is solely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon for diagnosis or clinical management decisions.

3.2 Messaging Feature

Users can communicate with each other via messaging. Users must always respect patient privacy and maintain anonymity in any text or images they share. By using the app you, as a user, have ensured that you have collected consent for any patient-related data you wish to share. By using this feature, users understand and accept that the content is solely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon for clinical management decisions.

3.3 AI Guidance

This feature uses large language models to offer guidance. By using this feature, users understand and accept that the guidance provided is for educational purposes only and should not be used for clinical management or diagnosis decisions. Users acknowledge that AI can make mistakes and should not rely solely on its guidance.

3.4 CPD Activity and Evidence

When users share cases, or just review and join discussions, the Ask Fellow Optoms app logs the duration users spend doing it and the contribution to them. Every 35 minutes logged counts towards 0.5 points of CPD. For each one of these, users will be able to view all evidence of activity on the app and download it. Users understand that this evidence can be used for self-directed CPD only but will not necessarily expect that it will be accepted due to individual circumstances and learning outcomes. Only a maximum of 5 minutes of CPD activity will be allocated to each case. We consider engagement on at least 80% of cases could be claimed as interactive evidence. However, this cannot be guaranteed and Ask Fellow Optoms takes no responsibility if the professional body declares it is not the case as it also depends on the quality of engagement. When uploading evidence on the professional body portal, users must declare that this is 'self-directed' activity. By using the app you as a user understand that Ask Fellow Optoms is not a CPD provider. On the relevant professional body website, users may be asked to include a reflection statement in addition to the evidence upload. It is important that you as a user complete this as the GOC standards expect to cover the skills and knowledge gained and it is the users responsibility to do so. You should accurately reflect on the cases you have reviewed or contributed to, to ensure you have met your learning outcomes. If you haven't generated enough evidence to do this, Ask Fellow Optoms takes no responsibility. As a user, you are responsible for meeting all your continuous educational requirements, which means you will not rely on the app to meet your professional targets.

4. Compliance with Professional Standards

Users are responsible for adhering to the General Optical Council (GOC) rules and the College of Optometrists guidance when using Ask Fellow Optoms.

5. User Responsibilities

Users are responsible for the accuracy and legality of the content they post. Users must not use the app for any illegal or unauthorized purpose. Users agree to comply with all applicable laws regarding online conduct and content. By using this app, you agree that the professional registration number, such as GOC number, you provide is correct, valid, yours, active, and matches all your details on the relevant body register.

6. Prohibited Content and Conduct

Users are prohibited from posting or sharing content that is considered objectionable, including but not limited to:

Offensive, abusive, or hateful language or imagery
Harassment, bullying, or threatening behavior
Illegal activities or content
Sexually explicit material

We have a zero-tolerance policy for such content and behavior. Users found violating these terms will be subject to immediate action, including but not limited to:

Removal of the offending content
Temporary or permanent suspension of the user’s account
Reporting to relevant authorities if necessary

7. Intellectual Property Rights

All content on Ask Fellow Optoms, including text, graphics, logos, and software, is the property of Ask Fellow Optoms or its content suppliers and is protected by intellectual property laws. Users retain ownership of the content they post but grant Ask Fellow Optoms a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, reproduce, modify, and distribute such content for the purpose of operating and promoting the app.

8. Privacy

Your privacy is important to us. Please review our Privacy Policy to understand how we collect, use, and protect your personal information. By using the app, you consent to the collection and use of your information as outlined in the Privacy Policy.

9. Account Suspension and Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate user accounts at our discretion, especially in cases of violations of these Terms and Conditions.

10. Amendments to Terms

We may update these Terms and Conditions from time to time. Continued use of the app after any such changes shall constitute your consent to such changes. Users are encouraged to review these terms periodically.

11. Limitation of Liability

Ask Fellow Optoms is an educational tool. We do not take responsibility for any clinical decisions made based on content from the app. Users must rely on their professional judgment and adhere to professional standards and guidelines. In no event shall Ask Fellow Optoms be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits or revenues, whether incurred directly or indirectly, or any loss of data, use, goodwill, or other intangible losses, resulting from (i) your use or inability to use the app; (ii) any unauthorized access to or use of our servers and/or any personal information stored therein.

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Ask Fellow Optoms and its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs, or debt, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney’s fees) arising from:

Your use of and access to the app.
Your violation of any term of these Terms and Conditions.
Your violation of any third-party right, including without limitation any copyright, property, or privacy right.

13. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the United Kingdom, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

14. Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising out of or relating to these Terms and Conditions or the use of Ask Fellow Optoms shall be resolved through binding arbitration in the United Kingdom, except that either party may bring a claim for injunctive or other equitable relief in a court of competent jurisdiction.

15. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about these Terms and Conditions, please contact us at info@askfellowclinicians.com.

By using Ask Fellow Optoms, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.

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