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Join our Consultations
Mailing List
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The PUA
Network
Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQ)
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What is the Consultations Mailing List?
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Who and how do I ask if my question is not included in these FAQ?
What is this �PUA Network�?
The PUA Network is the official Internet World Wide Web Site of the Philippine Urological Association, Inc.
What is the purpose of the PUA Network?
The logarithmic growth of the Internet�s popularity in the past 5 years is such that any organization or corporate entity worth its salt would be delinquent if it doesn�t put up even a rudimentary site. At present, more and more people are starting to consult the Internet before making any major decisions regarding their health, and as such, these people are invariably those with mid- to top-level positions in society. Thus the main objectives of the PUA Network are (1) to make available to the general public whatever general information (policies, activities, membership requirements, member�s roster with their corresponding professional contact information, publications, etc.) that there is on the association and its members and (2) to provide the membership body with confidential up-to-date information on the internal activities, policies, and future plans of the association.
How did the PUA Network come about?
In 1998, the PUA Network which was initially referred to as the PUA Website was envisioned by then president Dr. Ernesto V. Arada III and chairman of what was then the committee on Library Services Dr. Alfred S Uy Jr. By October of that year, a web design company was contracted to create a site for the Association wherein they would arrange for the hosting, do the design while the PUA would provide the raw data for the content. The result was a basic site with general information on the Association. Problems however arose when there was a need to update or add more content to the site. Since the Association had no direct control, there was a significant delay before the data could be posted. In addition since the webmasters were not members of the PUA, there would be some erroneous data included. In the middle of 1999, it was then decided that the direct control for the website�s design be transferred to the committee which was rechristened, committee on Library and Information Technology Services. The PUA website was renamed to be the PUA Network and the domain name changed to reflect this, thus the PUA Network at http://www.puanet.org was born.
How and who is maintaining it at present?
The site is currently being managed and maintained by the Committee on Library and Information Technology Services still chaired by Dr. Alfred S. Uy Jr with Dr. Genlinus D. Yusi as vice-chairman and Webmaster.
Who and how many people can potentially use it?
The Computer Industry Almanac Inc at present estimates the number of Internet users around the world to be around 350 million. In the Asia-Pacific area alone there are an estimated 72 million users. Since the PUA Network server is situated in a constitutionally free country, then the PUA Network can be seen potentially by 350 million people around the world!!
What can it do for the general public and for our patients?
The PUA Network provides various publicly available information on the association to every and all visitors to the site. These include, the history, composition, organization, member�s roster, publications, requirements for membership, calendar of activities, info on both the Philippine Board of Urology and the Philippine Urology Residents Association, and other internet sites of urological interest. More importantly for our patients or rather potential patients, the PUA Network provides a list of Urologists to consult based on the patient�s search criteria, for example they can search for all the urologists who are affiliated with a particular hospital for which the network will display all the urologists there with their corresponding contact information, clinic address and clinic hours.
The Network also has a mailing list consultation service which is offered free to the public where anyone can ask a question regarding Urology-- and this question can be viewed by all members of the PUA, thus providing the patient with a vast pool of professional Urologists to answer his question. See the Mailing List for more details.
What can it do for me, the PUA member?
The PUA Network provides a repository of information for the PUA Member that is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Do you need the updated 1998 Urologic RUV�s? You can download it from the website. Do you need the program of activities for the upcoming convention? That too is available from the website. Unlike printed newsletters or memos, the information is published in real time often just a day after it has become available. Thus, it is our goal to make the Network be the most up-to-date information source regarding the PUA and Philippine Urology in general.
On one hand, the PUA Network offers the member information, on the other hand the network also allows the member to offer information to the public. Any member can use the network to make announcements, advertising plugs for sideline businesses, classified ads when selling instruments, cars, stocks, etc. The network also allows helps the members interact with each other by providing alternative means of communication, namely e-mail, text messaging, mobile phones by making each member�s contact information easily accessible.
Other member services are featured in the "Members Only" section. Click here to get there.
To access the PUA Network, is also to access the Internet in general. Basically, you would need an IBM PC compatible machine with at least a 120 Mhz Pentium processor, with at least 16 MB RAM and at least a 1 Gigabyte hard disk. A minimum of 33.6Kbps internal or external modem with a phone line is also required. For software, only Windows 95 with its accompanying Microsoft Internet Explorer and Outlook Express is all that is needed. To gain access to the Internet itself, there is a need to subscribe to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) in the Philippines. Take care since there are many fly-by-night outfits in the market. Some may offer very inexpensive needs but be warned that once you�ve started using the net and browsing to your hearts content you may find that you�ve outgrown the meager services that they give you. The better ISP�s would be Internet Manila (my personal choice), Infocom, Pacific Internet, and SkyInet. These would offer the most bang for the buck deals and would have the most expansion potential for the future.
Once you have your system up and running, connect to the Internet through your ISP. Open your browser software (either Netscape Navigator version 4 or better, or Microsoft Internet Explorer version 4 or better). On the blank in the menu bar above (marked �Address� for MSIE or �URL� for Netscape, both beside the graphic logo), enter �http://puanet.org�. That�s it! If your software is set-up correctly and you�ve properly connected to the Internet, the PUA Network should start coming into your browser�s window. If you have problems, you would need to consult your ISP regarding this.
How may I instruct others to access it?
To encourage other members, other people, or patients to access the PUA Network, all you need do is to give them the URL or Universal Resource Locator of the network which is �puanet.org�. If they�re Internet savvy, like you are now, then that�s all they need know to get there.
What are the specific features and how do I use them?
The PUA Network is divided into over a dozen sections. Most of which are just mere descriptive text while others are interactive search facilities, wherein you enter some data for which the site will display a response depending on what you requested for. Outlined in the following are the specific sections...
What is the �What�s New� section?
The What�s New section is for the frequent visitor to the network. If you are quite familiar with the PUA Net then you need not wade into each and every section to discover what is new. Whatever changes that there are in the network or in the Association, will be displayed here. If the information is confidential and are for member�s only then an entry here will direct you to the �Members Only� section. Check this area regularly for updates on the status of the Association and the Network. Click here to go to the Whats New section.
What is in the �About the PUA� section?
This area is aimed primarily for the layman, non-urologist, or PUA membership candidate. Essays on �What is Urology?�, �History of Urology in the Philippines�, �Objectives of the PUA�, and �The PUA Network� are contained here. Click here to go to the About the PUA section.
What is the �Organization� section?
This area is also aimed primarily for the non-member. The present Executive Council with the President�s Welcome Address for the year is listed. A complete and updated list of the Association�s Committees, its chairmen, vice-chairmen and members are also listed. For the member, you can find out what committee you have been assigned to for the year. Click here to go to the Organization section.
What is the �Membership� section?
This area simply lists the criteria for membership as an Associate Member or as a full Fellow of the Association as well as the breakdown of the dues. Click here to go to the Membership section.
What is the �Roster� section?
This is the section where you may see a list of all the members of the Association. Within the roster section, you may display the member�s roster in three different schemes: (1) Alphabetical Order � the entire membership body is listed alphabetically with their e-mail addresses if applicable, their primary institution and the location. (2) Regional Order � the entire membership body is listed by region in a similar manner as the alphabetical list. (3) Search for a Urologist � in a nutshell this allows a user to search for a board-certified urologist to consult. Click here to go to the Members Roster section.
What is this �Search for a Urologist� facility?
A user entering the site can search for a urologist to consult. For example, a filipino patient is advised by someone to seek the help of a urologist, however he doesn�t know of any. He can enter the site and click on the �Search for a Urologist� icon in the What�s New section. This brings him to a form with blanks. Let�s say the most accessible hospital to him is the Cardinal Santos Medical Center. All he does is enter �Cardinal Santos� in the blank labeled �Hospitals� then click �Find Em!�. The site will then search the database for all Board-Certified urologists who has an entry of �Cardinal Santos� in their hospital affiliations data. These urologists will be listed� first will be the PUA Fellows then the Associate Members. The Fellows and Associate Members will then be sorted according to birthday from the most senior to the youngest. There will be a button next to each name labeled �Choose One�. The patient then clicks on the urologist he is interested in then clicks �Consult!�. The site will then display the chosen urologist�s name, e-mail address, office address, office phone and clinic hours. This facility can be used as many times as he wishes and is absolutely free of charge! To check out the "Search for a Urologist" Facility, click here.
What is the �Activities� section?
This is simply the most recent Calendar of Activities for the current year. Check this regularly for updates. Click here to see.
What is the �Conventions� section?
This is where the most up-to-date information on the upcoming convention that is available to date. Info on the programs, topics to be covered, registration information, and contact information is displayed. To see the Conventions section, click here.
What is the �Publications� section?
Currently the PUA has two regular publications, the Uroscope and the Philippine Journal of Urology (PJU). In this section, the table of contents of all PJU issues is available for browsing. If you�re interested in obtaining the full text of any PJU article, this may be requested through e-mail via [email protected]. To see the Publications section, click here.
What is the �PBU� section?
This is the area specially devoted to the Philippine Board of Urology. Displayed on this page are the most current data on the PBU. These include, (1) Objectives, (2) Announcements, (3) Schedule of Examinations, (4) Qualifications & Requirements, and (5) Accredited Training Programs. To see the PBU section, click here.
What is the �PURA� section?
This is the area allocated to the Philippine Urology Residents Association. The content is dependent on the PURA, however at present it contains their present officers and contact information. To see the PURA section, click here.
What is the �Members Only� section?
This is a special password protected section that is accessible only for PUA members. Announcements that are privy to members only are displayed here as well as a more detailed and comprehensive PUA members directory with an update facility, a mailing list, and special members� lists. To see the Members Only section click here.
What is the username and password?
To request for the username and password, please fill out the Members Only Password Request Form. To go to the form, click here.
The Links area is where you may find other sites in the Internet which are of Urologic interest, such as other Urologic organizations, other professional medical associations, research sites which feature Medline access, etc. To see the Links area, click here.
What is �Uroscope Online�?
This is composed of two components. One is the online version of our quarterly Uroscope newsletter where the latest issue is featured in electronic form. If you missed the latest issue, you may browse it here. The other contains original feature articles on Urology, Medicine and the Internet. To see the Uroscope Online section, click here.
What is the �Contact Info� section?
This is for those who have inquiries for the Association. The Association�s address, phone number, fax, e-mail addresses are listed here, as well as an online form which can help guide the user in his question. To go to the Contact Information section, click here.
What is the �Site Map� section?
This is basically the table of contents of the entire web site. At a glance you may see all the features of the PUA Network and get there in a single click. To browse the Site Map, click here.
What are the PUA Network plans for the future?
Upcoming projects for the network include:
1. Online Bulletin Board for member�s announcements
2. Online listing and ordering of imported original Urology textbooks
3. A Legacy page featuring those members who have passed away.
4. Additional mailing lists for urological discussions and laymen�s questions.
How do I contact the PUA through the Internet?
The PUA has 3 main e-mail addresses:
1. [email protected] - this is the main address for all queries regarding the Association, its policies and activities.
2. [email protected] - this is the address of the PUA Webmaster. All inquiries, questions, suggestions or comments regarding the PUA Network, the database and services should be sent here.
3. [email protected] - this is the address used for patients who wish to ask for second opinions, explanation of pathophysiologies, or even referrals.
The URL of the PUA Network is: http://www.puanet.org.
What is the Consultations Mailing List?
This mailing list allows anyone to send their queries on urologic conditions, problems, practices, etc. to a large pool of trained Urologic professionals, the Philippine Urological Association members, free of charge. Please take note of the disclaimer prior to posting messages. To join, click here.
Who and how do I ask if my question is not included in these FAQ?
You may e-mail your questions to the PUA Webmaster via [email protected], text message at 0917-520-3694, or pager 125-1024998. You can also direct your query through the PUA Secretariat, [email protected] or telefax 929-5501.