About Scope

Scope is an award-winning medical blog produced by a team of writers at Stanford University School of Medicine. We hope to provide you with high quality, engaging coverage of scientific and medical developments around the world.

How to contact the editors
Please send tips or questions to editors Michelle Brandt or John Stafford.

About Communication & Public Affairs
Scope is, officially speaking, published by the Office of Communication and Public Affairs at the School of Medicine. The writers in our office have more than 150 years combined experience covering medicine, science and health policy.

We also publish Stanford Medicine magazine, Inside Stanford Medicine, a health policy podcast called 1:2:1, a Flickr photo stream, a YouTube channel, a Facebook page, and the @SUMedicine Twitter feed.

Our comment policy
Our goal is to provide you with an informative, constructive, and entertaining blog, and we hope you enjoy Scope enough to comment on our posts from time to time. We particularly welcome updated information on the subject of the post, opinions that advance a debate on the subject of the post, and factual corrections.

Our goal is to not be heavy-handed in controlling comments, but we do moderate comments so that as many people as possible can enjoy blog. We may not publish a comment if: (1) it bullies or harasses writers or other commenters; (2) it is likely to offend other readers (this includes the use of offensive words); (3) it consists of cut-and-paste talking points or astroturfing; (4) it is off-topic; or (5) it exposes the private data of others. We also will not approve comment spam.

Please also be aware that some comments are approved when a moderator is available to do so. If a comment is posted late at night or early in the morning, it may be several hours before it is approved.

Entries on Scope are not official statements
The entries on Scope represent the personal views of their respective authors. They are not intended to be official statements from the School of Medicine or Stanford University.

Lastly, entries on Scope are not medical advice
The entries on Scope are meant to offer medical information, not medical advice. They are not a basis for any action or inaction, and they’re also not meant to replace the evaluation and determination of your doctor, who will address your specific medical needs and can make a diagnosis and give you the appropriate care.