How we check listings
Every page on Satchel says who put it there. Here is what sits behind the tick.
The listing bar
- Registered. We match every doctor to the public Ahpra register before the tick appears, and re-check monthly. The registration number is stored encrypted and shown masked.
- Claimed, or clearly marked. Some pages start from public information: the clinic's own website and Healthdirect. Those pages say so at the top and carry no tick and no special interests. Every photo, qualification, article and link on them names its source and the date we saw it; we check each link every week and drop the ones that stop working. The doctor can claim, correct or remove the page any time. Everything else on Satchel was put there by the doctor.
- Evidence for every interest. A special interest appears only with at least one piece of evidence, shown in plain words on the page.
- Clinics confirmed. Doctors confirm their clinics, days and booking links every three months. We test every booking link weekly and hide a button that stops working.
Types of evidence
- Formal recognition. A fellowship, extended-skills recognition, diploma or accreditation in the field.
- Work in the field. Time spent working in a service for this area, such as a drug and alcohol unit.
- Completed training. A completed course, such as RACGP alcohol and other drug training.
What we never do
- No ratings, stars, reviews or testimonials. Ahpra's advertising rules don't allow them for health services, and we agree.
- No ranking for money. Results sort by distance, and the page says so.
- No "specialist" for a GP. GPs on Satchel have a special interest or substantial experience, and that is the wording you'll see.
- No medicine names, no outcome claims, no quizzes that score your drinking.
Something wrong on a page? Tell us and we'll check it with the doctor.