In today’s digital age, health information is everywhere — but truly helpful, trustworthy, and understandable guidance is harder to come by. At Pocdoc, we aim to change that. Our mission is to create a reliable and up-to-date source of evidence-based health content that Australians can turn to with confidence.
We believe in clear, compassionate, and medically accurate information, and we take the responsibility of publishing it seriously. This Editorial Policy outlines the standards and safeguards we follow to ensure everything we publish meets the highest bar for accuracy, integrity, and value.
The foundation of our content creation is built on four principles. These guide every article we write and every decision we make:
1. Accuracy and Evidence
We uphold strict medical standards. Every piece of health content is based on current research, fact-checked, and reviewed by medical professionals before publication.
2. Editorial Independence
Our articles are never influenced by commercial relationships or sponsorships. We write for patients, not profit.
3. Empathy and Respect
Health can be personal, confronting, and sometimes emotional. We aim to communicate with care, using inclusive and non-judgmental language that reflects our readers' diverse realities.
4. Currency and Relevance
Medicine moves fast. We regularly review our content to ensure it reflects the latest health guidelines, research findings, and best practices.
Every article on Pocdoc undergoes a deliberate, multi-stage editorial process. We don’t rush content out the door — we focus on doing it right.
1. Topic Planning and Research
Our editorial team carefully chooses topics based on what’s timely, relevant, and helpful for our Australian audience. We review commonly asked patient questions, seasonal health trends, public health priorities, and areas where confusion or misinformation is common.Once a topic is selected, we build a detailed content brief using trusted sources such as clinical guidelines, government health agencies, and peer-reviewed research.
2. Writing and Drafting
Initial drafts are prepared by writers with either medical qualifications or deep health journalism experience. We ensure they have both the subject knowledge and the ability to explain complex topics clearly, using plain English where possible.Writers are instructed to be impartial, educational, and never alarmist. Our goal is to inform and empower, not to sell or sensationalise.
3. Editorial Review
An in-house editor reviews each draft for structure, tone, clarity, and readability. We aim to make content accessible to a general audience — without dumbing it down. This step also ensures consistency in voice, grammar, spelling (in Australian English), and style.
4. Clinical Review and Fact-Checking
Before any article is published, it undergoes a clinical review by a qualified Australian healthcare professional. This may be a GP, pharmacist, nurse practitioner, or medical specialist, depending on the topic. Our reviewers confirm that all medical advice, terminology, and claims are accurate and aligned with best practice.
Professional fact-checkers may also verify claims, statistics, and source references against original documents, journal articles, or public health data.
5. Publication and Formatting
Approved content is formatted for digital readability, using headings, bullet points, tables, or visuals where helpful. We include authorship and reviewer credentials, publication dates, and links to references wherever possible.
We treat publishing as a responsibility — not a one-time act. Our editorial team continuously monitors developments in medicine, wellness, and public health to keep our library current.
Major changes in clinical guidelines (e.g., cancer screening intervals, medication recalls) trigger immediate updates.
Each article is formally re-reviewed at least once every two years.
Updates go through the same editorial and medical review process as original articles.
Update dates are clearly displayed at the top of each article.
We welcome reader feedback and encourage users to notify us if they believe content is outdated or inaccurate. Corrections are handled promptly and transparently.
Every contributor to Pocdoc content is carefully vetted. Depending on the topic, this may include:
- Health journalists with proven experience writing medical content
- Registered healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, dietitians or psychologists
- Accredited medical writers with clinical backgrounds
We believe in pairing content creators with domain-specific expertise. For example, articles on prescription medications are often written or reviewed by pharmacists, and those on mental health are checked by qualified psychologists.
Where articles include quotes or insights from third-party experts, we clearly disclose their name, title, and relevance.
Our commitment to accuracy is matched by our sourcing discipline. All content is grounded in verifiable evidence, and our hierarchy of trusted sources includes:
Australian Health Authorities: We prioritise government and regulatory bodies such as the Department of Health, TGA, Medicare, and state health departments.
Peer-Reviewed Medical Research: Scientific journals are a primary source, especially systematic reviews, clinical trials, and consensus statements.
Clinical Guidelines: We refer to clinical standards published by professional associations like the RACGP, AHPRA, or specific specialist colleges.
Textbooks and Databases: We consult well-established medical reference texts for core definitions and treatment frameworks.
Expert Commentary: Occasionally, we supplement evidence with insights from reputable, credentialed professionals — clearly disclosed in the article.
We never base content solely on anecdote, opinion, or low-quality studies. All factual claims include citations, and readers are encouraged to follow the reference links at the end of each article.
Pocdoc maintains a strict separation between content and commerce.
Advertising: We may host paid advertisements on our website, which are clearly labelled as "Ad" or "Advertisement." These do not influence our content or editorial decision-making. Advertisers do not preview or review our articles.
Sponsored Content: In some cases, we may publish sponsored articles in partnership with trusted organisations. These articles will always be marked as "Sponsored" or "In partnership with." Even in these cases, content is reviewed for usefulness and accuracy — but it remains separate from our independent editorial process.
Affiliate Links: Occasionally, we include links to products or services we believe may help our readers (e.g., health tools, over-the-counter products). If Pocdoc earns a commission from these links, it is disclosed within the article. Inclusion of such links is based on editorial value — not financial arrangements.
We take pride in transparency and prioritise user trust over short-term commercial gains.
Health information should be accessible to everyone. That’s why we are deliberate about writing in a tone that is respectful, inclusive, and understanding.
Language Matters
We use person-first and gender-inclusive language, avoid stigmatising terms, and adapt our writing to reflect modern, culturally aware communication. All content is reviewed for respectful and inclusive phrasing — particularly in topics related to mental health, disability, LGBTQIA+ health, and reproductive care.
Diversity in Contributors
Our contributors come from a range of professional and personal backgrounds, which helps ensure that we reflect the lived experiences of our diverse audience.
Tone and Sensitivity
We avoid sensationalism and fear-based framing. We never present health advice in a judgmental or prescriptive way. Our articles are designed to guide, not lecture.
It’s important to clarify the difference between Pocdoc’s two core services:
Telehealth Services: When users engage with a practitioner through Pocdoc, they enter a direct clinical relationship, just as they would with a local GP or clinic.
Editorial Content: Our health articles and information guides are separate from that relationship and are not a substitute for clinical advice.
All content in our health library is intended for informational purposes only. It does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified health provider regarding your specific situation.
If you have a medical emergency, call 000 or attend your nearest hospital.
We strive for 100% accuracy. If you spot an error, outdated information, or have suggestions, we want to hear from you. Please reach out through our Contact Us page. We treat all correction requests seriously and update content where appropriate.
