We’ll add to this page as questions from readers develop. For starters, though, there are a few things we think all our visitors should know. We don’t want to have a lot of rules about using The Bridge, but a few are necessary to helping ensure that reading and participating in the blog is a pleasant experience for all.

• The Bridge is a moderated blog, which means that your comments will not appear on the site the very instant after you write one and click “Submit.” The moderator looks over all comments and must approve them before they show up on the site. In practice, this may take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, or maybe overnight. We may relax this eventually, for registered members, but we want to keep a close eye on things initially and try to keep conversations on topic.

• Comments may be edited for punctuation, grammar and style. We assume participants will appreciate that we want to improve their prose if possible.

• We won’t tolerate blatantly promotional comments. We have no problems with you identifying your company, or naming others, or talking about how great a hospital or doctor might be — within context of providing useful information to the community. But please don’t post a comment that is just an ad for another website. We won’t accept it. If you have a press release, please send it to the moderator and he’ll consider posting an article about it.

• If you have something that you think would be a good blog post and would like to be a contributor or author for The Bridge, please contact the moderator. If you have a news tip about medical travel and tourism — likewise. The moderator is happy for any and all help and also appreciates constructive criticism.

• Personal attacks will not be tolerated. Libelous comments will not be tolerated. Excessivle profane language — ditto. This doesn’t mean we do not encourage spirited debate and contentious discussion. But we’re not going to be publishing comments that might get you, or us, dragged into court.

• Nothing on The Bridge should be construed by readers as direct medical advice unless so designated.

• We respect the privacy of our readers and registered users. We will never give your personal information to any third party without your permission.