DISCLAIMER

The Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) web site is intended to provide general educational information and to help users arrange more easily for health care services. Some information on the site is written by health care providers and staff affiliated with MGH or its affiliates through Partners HealthCare System, Inc. ("Partners"), while other information is from outside sources.

HEALTH TALK is a resource offered by MGH to patients or other users who are interested in outside informational sites or online support groups. MGH provides these external links as a convenience. It is not responsible for the content, accuracy, or availability of the sites, nor does it endorse them. Only resources specifically marked "Mass General" are associated with MGH. MGH strongly encourages all users to read the terms of use, privacy policies, and disclaimers of any outside sites to which they link.

The MGH web site is not an attempt to practice medicine or provide specific medical advice and should not be used to make a diagnosis or to replace or overrule a qualified health care provider's judgment. Nor should users rely upon the MGH web site if they might need emergency medical treatment. We strongly encourage users to consult with a qualified health care professional for answers to personal questions.

Use of programs on the MGH site does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Should you electronically request a referral to MGH or a Partners affiliate, we will use the information you submit to arrange for care where appropriate.

You assume full responsibility for using the information on this site, and you understand and agree that Partners and its affiliates, including MGH, are not responsible or liable for any claim, loss, or damage resulting from its use by you or any user. While we try to keep the MGH information on the site as accurate as possible, we disclaim any warranty concerning its accuracy, timeliness, and completeness, and any other warranty, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. MGH also does not warrant that access to the site will be error- or virus-free.

Material on the MGH web site is protected by copyright law. Unless otherwise stated, users may print or download information from the MGH site for personal, non-commercial use only, provided they identify the source of the material and include a statement that the materials are protected by copyright law. Reprinting or otherwise reproducing any document in whole or in part is prohibited, unless prior written consent is obtained from the copyright owner. Users should observe the copyright terms of any outside sites to which they link.

By choosing to use the MGH web site, you acknowledge and agree to the terms of this Disclaimer and our Privacy Policy. We encourage you to read them. We reserve the right to modify these terms and policies and recommend that you periodically review them, because if you use the site you will be expected to comply with these.

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The Purpose of this Website:

Mass General recognizes the need for online-support sites as well as health-education sites. We're happy to present these links to external, independent websites and to Mass General website resources.

Please e-mail us if you would like to comment on any of these sites or to suggest another site for consideration.

PLEASE NOTE: We cannot answer any medical-related questions. If you have a medical question, please consult a physician directly.

For information on how to contact a physician, please call the Physician Referral Service at 1-800-711-4644.