Ask a doctor on the topic of General medicine

Medical advice in a book as a layperson

January 24, 2020 | 20,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

I am a distributor of a Class 1 medical device, specifically grid tapes. (These are small grid-like patches that are applied to the skin to treat certain symptoms). Now I would like to write a book that describes where to apply the mentioned patch for different symptoms. (Example: For headaches: Apply the grid patch on acupuncture point XY, 3cm below the ear (with picture description)).

I do not have a medical education and would gather the information for my customers from various confidential sources. Therefore, I am not inventing anything new, just passing on information.

I would like to sell this book. In general, it is about showing the customer exactly where to apply the purchased patches.

Would I be allowed to sell such a book? Am I on the safe side if I include a disclaimer stating that this book cannot replace medical advice? Can I use information from other books, courses, websites, etc. regarding the application points of the grid patches? (Of course, not texts, images, etc., only the knowledge).

I will upload a sample page of the book for you to review.

Thank you,
Best regards, Sven Brückner

Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Good evening,

No one can forbid you to write and publish such a book, and there is certainly no need for a doctor to do so. I see more the difficulties in the fact that you have no original knowledge and must cite the source for every single piece of information. This makes the book unreadable and unnecessary, as these sources can easily be found on the internet without having to buy a book for them.

I would save myself the trouble, I also do not know who wanted to publish it.

Sincerely, Dr. Gehring