Basics

Q: What makes Upstreamed an exciting and innovative platform for healthcare professionals?

A: Upstreamed revolutionizes how healthcare professionals connect, share, and collaborate globally. It eliminates the traditional barriers to medical publishing, offering a faster, unbiased peer-review process that ensures accuracy and reliability. Whether you're sharing real-life cases or accessing the latest treatments, Upstreamed helps you publish and flourish, taking your ideas from bench to bedside and beyond. Join us in building a more democratic and equitable future for medical publishing—where knowledge is accessible to all.

Q: How is Upstreamed different from other social media and professional networking platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.?

A: Imagine a platform where you don't just network or follow trends, but actively contribute to your field by presenting your work and ideas for expert feedback. That's what sets Upstreamed apart from the typical social media and professional networking landscape. We offer an environment that is both exciting and professional, focusing on empowering users to share their contributions with a global community of verified experts.

Our cornerstone feature is a cutting-edge, double-blinded, randomized peer review system. Unlike standard platforms where the focus tends to be on mere networking and self-promotion, Upstreamed prioritizes constructive, unbiased, and timely feedback. You can submit your work—be it research, business proposals, creative projects, or other professional endeavors—for scrutiny and constructive criticism from qualified experts across different fields and regions of the world.

This peer review feature not only breaks the echo chamber commonly found in social media but also democratizes access to a world of knowledge and professional critique. Regardless of where you are or who you know, Upstreamed levels the playing field, giving every individual an equal opportunity to present their ideas and to contribute to potentially groundbreaking discussions.

And there's more! Built upon this innovative peer review foundation are a host of other unique features, including personalized analytics. These analytics provide you with actionable insights on the reach and impact of your work, thus offering valuable clues for your future projects and career trajectory.

In summary, Upstreamed is not just another platform for professional networking; it's a catalyst for intellectual and professional growth, offering a space for you to both present your work and refine it through invaluable expert insights. If you're looking to go beyond the limitations of traditional social media and professional platforms, Upstreamed is the exciting yet thoroughly professional alternative you've been waiting for.

Q: Who is eligible to join Upstreamed?

A: Upstreamed welcomes a diverse community of professionals engaged in the advancement of healthcare and scientific research. This includes doctors, nurses, researchers, scientists, engineers, and many others involved in the healthcare ecosystem or in fields contributing to healthcare innovation. Our platform is designed for anyone committed to sharing, developing, and discussing ideas that have the potential to save lives and enhance healthcare practices globally. Regardless of your professional background, if you're passionate about making a significant impact in healthcare, Upstreamed invites you to join our community and enrich the dialogue with your insights and expertise.

Q: Is there a cost to join Upstreamed?

A: No, joining Upstreamed is completely free! When you sign up for a Basic account, you gain access to a range of features and resources to start exploring and collaborating on the platform.

However, if you’re a professional looking to take your experience to the next level, we offer premium plans with even more powerful tools:

Starter Plan: For just $149/year, this plan offers additional collaboration tools and advanced analytics—perfect for early-stage professionals.

Professional Plan: Unlock full access to advanced analytics, priority support, and more for $449/year.

Lifetime Plan: For those who want to make the most of Upstreamed, the Lifetime Plan is the best long-term investment. With a one-time payment of $1,799, you get access to all features for life, including early access to upcoming tools and features.

Whether you stay with the free Basic plan or upgrade to one of the premium plans, Upstreamed offers the tools you need to collaborate, get recognized, and make breakthroughs in the healthcare and research fields. For the most comprehensive access and long-term savings, we highly recommend the Lifetime Plan.

Q: Will Upstreamed ever put research or knowledge behind a paywall?

A: Absolutely not! Upstreamed is fully committed to 100% open access for all users. We believe that groundbreaking research and valuable knowledge should be available to everyone, not hidden behind paywalls. Whether you’re a clinician, researcher, or student, you’ll always have full access to content and peer-reviewed research without any barriers. Our mission is to ensure that the free flow of ideas drives innovation and improves global health—no gatekeeping, no restrictions, ever.

Q: How did the concept of upstream medicine inspire the naming of Upstreamed?

A: The inspiration for naming our platform 'Upstreamed' is deeply rooted in the transformative philosophy of upstream medicine. This approach, which emphasizes preventative measures, focuses on addressing the foundational causes of health disparities, known as the social determinants of health (SDOH). We saw a parallel between this holistic approach and our vision for a platform that revolutionizes healthcare knowledge sharing.

Upstreamed is more than a digital space for healthcare professionals; it's a movement challenging the status quo of information dissemination in healthcare and beyond. It not only serves as a collaborative platform for sharing and refining innovative healthcare ideas but also takes a stand against the root cause problems in the publishing industry, including internet misinformation and public distrust. By implementing a rigorous, unbiased, and transparent peer review process, we aim to restore faith in scientific communication and ensure the integrity and reliability of information.

Just as upstream medicine seeks to create enduring, positive changes at various societal levels, Upstreamed aspires to break down barriers to information accessibility and trustworthiness. We believe that by empowering professionals with a platform to freely share and critique ideas, we're fostering an ecosystem of knowledge that directly combats misinformation and cultivates trust in scientific discourse. Our goal is to democratize access to high-quality, vetted knowledge, enabling the convergence of revolutionary ideas that address health inequalities and misinformation at their source.

Thus, our name 'Upstreamed' signifies a dual commitment: to challenge and advance the methods of healthcare knowledge sharing and to be a vanguard in combating misinformation and rebuilding trust in scientific publishing. It's our pledge to lead a charge towards a more informed, healthier, and equitable world.

Q: What is the history of Upstreamed?

A: Upstreamed is a Veteran-founded peer collaboration platform, founded in 2021 by Army Veteran Dr. Riley Konara and biomedical engineer and developer Dhanu Konara. Our mission is to provide clinicians and researchers a space to connect, share ideas, and collaborate in a free, unbiased environment. Headquartered in Maryland, USA, Upstreamed is dedicated to improving healthcare by elevating innovative ideas through peer review and meaningful engagement within a community of passionate professionals.

Q: How can I connect with Upstreamed on social media?

A: Yes, Upstreamed has a strong presence on social media and we encourage you to follow us and engage with us on our official accounts. You can find us on Twitter (@upstreamedinc), Instagram (@upstreamedinc), Facebook (@upstreamed) and LinkedIn (@upstreamed). These are the only official Upstreamed accounts, so please do not send any account information or help requests to other accounts claiming to be affiliated with Upstreamed. We look forward to connecting with you and sharing updates, resources, and insights with you on these platforms.

Q: Is Upstreamed planning to release a mobile app in the future?

A: Yes, we are actively working on developing mobile applications for both Android and iOS devices. We understand that many of our users rely on their smartphones and tablets for their work, and we want to make sure that Upstreamed is accessible and convenient for all of our users. We are committed to delivering a high-quality and user-friendly mobile experience, and we hope to have our mobile apps available in the near future. In the meantime, Upstreamed is fully optimized for yse on desktops and laptops add: (Google Chrome browser is recommended).

Q: How can I get in touch with the team at Upstreamed?

A: For general inquiries or questions, you can email us at [email protected]. If you have specific questions about your account or verification status, you can email us at [email protected]. If you have any website-related concerns, you can send us a message on our @support account on Upstreamed. Please note that Upstreamed will never ask you for your password, account information, or money through a message. All official communication from the Upstreamed team will come from [email protected]. If you don't see a message from us in your inbox, be sure to check your spam folder and adjust your email filters as needed.

Q: Is Upstreamed currently hiring?

A: Yes, we are always looking for talented individuals to join our team. Currently, we have openings in our engineering department for mobile developers and back-end engineers. If you are interested in applying, please send your resume to [email protected]. We are excited to see what you can bring to the table and help us achieve our big goals and dreams.

Q: What opportunities does Upstreamed provide for healthcare professionals to continue their professional development, and does it offer any free continuing medical education (CME) or continuing education (CE) credits?

A: Upstreamed offers healthcare professionals a wide range of opportunities to grow and stay current in their field through articles, case studies, discussions, and more. While we don't currently offer CME or CE credits, we're excited to be working on it for future updates. In the meantime, Upstreamed provides valuable ways to expand your knowledge, connect with peers, and monitor your professional development through in-depth analytics—tracking articles you've read, discussions you’ve engaged in, and questions you’ve answered. Stay tuned as we continue to add even more learning and growth opportunities, including CME/CE credits down the road!

Features

Q: How do I post content on Upstreamed? What can I do on the platform?

A: To post original content on Upstreamed, click the button in the top right corner of the dark blue navigation bar. On the platform, you can start a discussion, ask a question, present a case, publish an article, create a survey, or post a job. You can also interact with other users by commenting and reacting to their content, messaging them, and more. Upstreamed is constantly updating and expanding its features to provide the best possible experience for healthcare professionals. Keep an eye out for new updates and opportunities to connect with your community.

Q: What is Impact Factor on Upstreamed?

A: Impact Factor is a measure of a user's influence on our platform. It takes into account various factors such as verification status, peer-reviewed publications, endorsements, awards, followers, positive reactions, and more. These factors are weighted differently, and our formula for determining Impact Factor is subject to change based on feedback from our community. It is intended to identify influential users within the Upstreamed community.

Q: How can I increase my Impact Factor on Upstreamed?

A: There are a few ways you can increase your Impact Factor on Upstreamed. Some suggestions include:

1. Participating in discussions, asking and answering questions, and presenting cases.

2. Sharing high-quality, original content through peer-reviewed articles and cases.

3. Endorsing the work of other users and receiving endorsements from others.

4. Building a following by actively engaging with and supporting the community.

5. Gaining verification as a healthcare professional or industry expert.

Remember, the Impact Factor is a dynamic metric that is constantly being updated based on your contributions and engagement on Upstreamed. The more you participate and contribute valuable content, the higher your Impact Factor will be.

Q: How does Upstreamed verify users? Do I need to get verified?

A: To get verified on Upstreamed, simply follow these steps:

1. Click on the "Verification" tab in your profile settings.

2. Upload a photo of yourself and a photo of your government ID.

3. Provide links that confirm your professional identity, such as your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or your listings on medical boards and professional databases. Recent articles or media mentions are also valuable. Ensure any media links are from the last six months.

4. If you are a clinician, include documentation of any board certifications and publications in peer-reviewed journals.

5. Wait for Upstreamed to review your verification request. You will receive confirmation of your verification status upon completion of the review.

It's important to note that in an effort to prevent spam bots and other automated systems, Upstreamed may eventually require all users to become verified or risk losing/limiting access to the platform. If you change your name or username, you may need to re-verify. By becoming verified, you are helping to establish transparency and accountability in the community and unlock additional features on the platform. We highly recommend taking the time to get verified on Upstreamed.

Q: Is verification on Upstreamed a one-time process?

A: No, verification on Upstreamed is not a one-time process. In order to maintain the integrity and trust within our community, we may require users to re-verify their identity at any time. This includes situations such as changing your name or username, as well as any other changes that may affect the accuracy of your profile information. It is important to keep your profile information up-to-date and accurate in order to ensure that you are able to fully participate in the Upstreamed community. Overall, the verification process is designed to protect the privacy and security of our users, and to foster a safe and trustworthy environment for professionals to connect, collaborate, and share ideas.

Q: How does anonymous posting work on Upstreamed?

A: Verified users have the option to post anonymously on our platform. This feature is intended to allow users to share controversial topics without fear of personal or professional retaliation. However, please note that anonymity is not guaranteed as your profession and specialty will still be visible to other users. It is also the user's responsibility to not disclose personally identifying information in their content. While anonymous posting is a useful tool, we may limit its use to prevent misuse and abuse. Any attempts to reveal the identity of an anonymous poster may result in account suspension.

Q: How does the Peer Review process work on Upstreamed, and are there any associated fees?

A: On Upstreamed, there are absolutely no publication fees and no editing fees. The platform operates on a principle of decentralized sourcing of research and distributed analysis, allowing for a broad range of contributions and insights.

Verified professionals are invited to submit articles and cases to the Upstreamed community for peer review. Our process is designed to maintain anonymity: peer reviewees will not know the identities of their reviewers, and vice versa, although the profession and specialty of the participants will be visible. This ensures impartiality and objectivity in the review process.

To participate in the peer review scoring process, reviewers must meet specific criteria, including:

Verification: Complete the verification process to proceed.

Impact Factor Requirement: Maintain a minimum of 250 impact factor points.

Alignment: Share the same profession and at least one specialty as the content being reviewed.

Constructive Feedback: Read and provide constructive feedback/comments during the review process (min. 15 words).

Our proprietary algorithm pairs reviewers with reviewees based on profession, specialty, and other relevant criteria.

During the peer review, reviewees can set the duration of the review period. Eligible reviewers are required to thoroughly review the entire content and provide substantial feedback before assigning a score. Reviewers are incentivized with a multiplier bonus for their Impact Factor, which is based on the positive reactions to their comments, encouraging the provision of helpful feedback.

To receive the "Peer-Reviewed" label () and bonus Impact Factor points, reviewees must achieve an average passing score from a minimum of three reviewers. Content with this label signifies quality and contributes to the credibility of our community.

If a reviewee does not achieve the required passing score within the set timeframe, the content will be published without the "Peer-Reviewed" label, and peer review comments will be archived.

We emphasize the importance of maintaining a professional and respectful atmosphere. Inappropriate, unprofessional, or abusive comments may be reported and can lead to account suspension. While Upstreamed encourages professional courtesy and confidentiality, it does not guarantee absolute confidentiality or intellectual property rights, and we advise against submitting content for peer review that you would not want to share publicly or with the scientific community.

We welcome comments from users of different professions and specialties, valuing the diverse perspectives they bring to the peer review process. However, only eligible reviewers from the same profession and specialty as the content's author can assign scores.

Q: How do labels/peer-endorsements work on Upstreamed?

A: Verified content creators can use Labels (e.g. specialty, diagnosis, procedures, etc.) to highlight specific details in their content. Verified users can show their support and recognition by providing an endorsement to the Label. This endorsement is a way for users to appreciate the content creator's contributions and efforts, and it also helps to increase the content creator's Impact Factor. Endorsements are an effective way for users to demonstrate their subject matter expertise to industry leaders, collaborators, partners, patients, and others in the community. In the future, we hope to use labels to power machine learning algorithms to identify health trends from content created by subject matter experts around the world. It's worth noting that an upgraded account will provide the most comprehensive analysis of endorsements.

Q: How does adding co-authors work on Upstreamed, including the feedback and revision process?

A: On Upstreamed, adding co-authors is a collaborative process designed to encourage knowledge sharing and equal recognition among contributors. Here’s how it works:

1. Inviting Co-Authors: As a verified user with an upgraded account, you can invite other verified followers to co-author your articles or cases. Co-authors have 72 hours to accept or decline the invitation.

2. Collaboration Process: Once co-authors accept, they can provide feedback, suggest revisions, and collaborate on the content. This ensures that the final piece reflects the collective expertise of everyone involved.

3. Consensus for Publishing: Before a post is submitted for peer review or publishing, all co-authors must agree to move forward, reinforcing the importance of teamwork and mutual satisfaction.

4. Impact Factor Points: All impact factor points earned by the post are divided equally among the co-authors, ensuring that credit is shared fairly.

5. Recognition: In the final published work, all co-authors are acknowledged with "et al." next to the primary author’s username, signifying their contributions and reinforcing Upstreamed’s commitment to collaboration.

Q: How is user anonymity protected in the survey process on Upstreamed?

A: On Upstreamed, we take the protection of user anonymity very seriously. When users respond to surveys, their identities are not revealed to the survey creators or anyone else. However, general user information that is publicly available on Upstreamed, such as profession and specialty, may be shared with survey creators. This allows for the collection of statistical data while still protecting the privacy of individual users.

Q: How do I know if a user is Verified on Upstreamed?

A: Verified users and verified clinicians on Upstreamed are indicated by a next to their username. To become a verified user, a user must upload a picture and submit a picture of their official government ID. Verified clinicians must also submit their NPI number and board certification information, and may also be required to provide state licensing information and/or peer-reviewed publication information. If a user is not verified, they will not have an next to their username

Q: What are the requirements to become a Key Opinion Leader on Upstreamed?

A: To achieve the status of a Key Opinion Leader on Upstreamed, several specific criteria need to be fulfilled. These requirements are designed to ensure that individuals who attain this title are active and contributing members of the Upstreamed community and demonstrate exceptional influence and expertise in their field.

The criteria include:

1. Active membership in the Upstreamed community for a minimum of one month.

2. Creation and publication of at least 10 posts on Upstreamed, showcasing consistent engagement with the platform.

3. Publication of at least one peer-reviewed article on Upstreamed, demonstrating a commitment to contributing high-quality, scholarly content.

4. Attainment of a minimum of 1,000 Impact Factor points on Upstreamed, reflecting your influence and standing in your field.

5. Ranking in the top 5% of Impact Factor points in at least one profession or specialty on Upstreamed.

Meeting these criteria positions you as a Key Opinion Leader on Upstreamed, marking you as a distinguished and influential figure within the community, trusted for your expertise, contributions, and insights.

Q: How does Upstreamed identify Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs)? Are KOL titles permanent on the platform?

A: To become a Key Opinion Leader on Upstreamed, you will need to meet all of the pre-requisites listed above. This includes being active on the platform for at least one month, creating at least 10 posts, having at least one peer-reviewed article on Upstreamed, peer-reviewing at least one article on Upstreamed, winning at least one Lifesaver award for published content, having a top Impact Factor Score in your profession and at least one specialty, and being a verified user (clinicians must be board-certified). By meeting these requirements, you can establish yourself as an expert and influential figure in your field on Upstreamed.

Please note that the requirements to become a Key Opinion Leader may change over time as we continue to develop and refine the program. Additionally, becoming a Key Opinion Leader is not a guarantee and is subject to review by the Upstreamed team.

Q: What are Upstreamed Awards? What do they represent?

A: These Upstreamed Awards are a way for users to recognize and appreciate the valuable contributions of their peers in the community. These awards not only serve as a way to recognize the hard work and expertise of users, but they also serve as a way to build credibility and establish oneself as a thought leader in the community.

Q: What is the Headline Bar?

A: The Headline Bar highlights the top-performing posts and contributors on Upstreamed, providing visibility to the most impactful and engaging content. It updates regularly and promotes posts based on various metrics such as engagement, peer review, and specialty impact.

Q: What types of posts are featured in the Headline Bar?

A: The Headline Bar showcases posts based on key performance metrics designed to highlight engaging, high-quality content. These metrics include trending posts with the most interactions, top-rated peer-reviewed content, and posts with the highest collaboration impact. Additionally, posts excelling in citation growth, specialty expertise, and user engagement spikes are featured. New users gaining rapid traction and posts sparking the most discussions are also recognized. By surfacing this dynamic content, the platform promotes community-driven interactions and academic contributions, emphasizing quality and relevance across various fields.

Privacy

Q: Will my personal data be shared with any external organizations when I use Upstreamed?

A: Upstreamed values the privacy of our users and we take steps to protect your personal data from being shared with external organizations. Any data that is collected by Upstreamed is used solely to improve the functionality and user experience of our platform. If you have any questions or concerns about how your personal data is used, we encourage you to review our Privacy Policy for more information.

Q: What kind of content is prohibited on Upstreamed?

A: Upstreamed prohibits content that violates United States Federal law, including guidance provided by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This includes any content that contains a patient's personally identifying information, promotes or advocates violence, is explicitly racist or hateful, is pornographic, depicts child abuse or sexual exploitation. While respectful and thoughtful debate is encouraged on Upstreamed, any content that violates these guidelines will be flagged and may result in account suspension. Please refer to Upstreamed's policies and HIPAA for more information.

Ads

Q: How do Upstreamed Boosts (Promotions) work?

A: Upstreamed Boosts, commonly referred to as Promotions, allow users to increase the visibility of their posts to a targeted audience with ease.
Here’s how it works:

1. Create & Publish: Share your latest findings by hitting 'Publish'.

2. Boost Your Post: After publishing, simply click 'Boost,' choose how many impressions you want, and your post will be promoted to your targeted audience. The post will appear in the mainstream feed, ensuring it lands with the right crowd.

3. Track Success: Authors can monitor their campaign’s progress in real-time using Boost Analytics in the Pulse. Special insights on impressions, engagement, and interactions are available exclusively to those who boost their content.

4. Show Support: Any user can boost any post (except anonymous posts) as a way to show support, even if they're not the original author.

Note: Boosts are non-refundable, and each campaign will continue until the target impressions are reached. Ready to elevate your content? Boost your post today and watch your research or ideas gain traction across the Upstreamed network!

Security

Q: Is Upstreamed secure?

A: Yes and to further enhance security, Upstreamed requires users to create strong passwords and encourages the use of 2FA (two-factor authentication). In addition, we strictly prohibit the sharing of personal or confidential information on our platform, and have implemented measures to detect and prevent any security breaches. We also regularly review and update our security protocols to ensure the safety of our users and their data.

Q: How can I reset my forgotten username or password for my Upstreamed account?

A: If you have forgotten your username or password, you can request a reset on the sign-in page by following the prompts. It is also a good idea to create a security question and PIN for added security on your account. If you need further assistance, you can contact Upstreamed support at [email protected]. Please be aware that we will never ask you for your password.

Q: How do I report inappropriate/illegal/offensive content on Upstreamed?

A: If you come across inappropriate, illegal, or offensive content on Upstreamed, you can report it directly by clicking the three dots icon on the post and selecting "Report" from the menu. You’ll be able to choose a reason for reporting, and our support team will review the flagged content to determine if it violates our policy. Users responsible for violating content may face account suspension. Your help in flagging inappropriate content is essential in maintaining a safe and respectful community.

Alternatively, you can report content by emailing our support team at [email protected]. Please provide as much information as possible, including the URL of the content, the reason for the report, and any additional relevant details. Our team will promptly review the content and take appropriate action according to our policies.

Q: How do I delete my Upstreamed account and remove my personal information from the platform?

A: If you wish to delete your Upstreamed account and remove your personal information from the platform, please follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Upstreamed account.

2. Click the icon, then click Profile.

3. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Delete Account" button.

4. Confirm your decision to delete your account by following the prompts.

Please note that deleting your account will remove all of your personal information and content from Upstreamed. Your account will be archived for up to 1 year, during which time you can request to have it re-instated. However, please be aware that any information shared with third parties (e.g. through promotions or surveys) may still be retained by those parties.

Q: What can I do if my account has been suspended on Upstreamed?

A: If you believe your account has been suspended in error, you can appeal the suspension by emailing [email protected] and explaining the circumstances surrounding the suspension. Please note that any paid subscriptions or promotional runs for suspended users will be cancelled and are non-refundable. If you have any questions about the suspension, you can contact the Upstreamed support team at [email protected] for further assistance.

Q: What kind of personal information does Upstreamed collect and store?

A: Upstreamed collects and stores certain personal information from users in order to provide our services and improve the user experience. This includes information such as email address, name, and professional information (such as profession and specialty). We do not store financial information, passwords, or government identification. Any government identification submitted as part of the verification process will be promptly deleted after undergoing review.

Subscription

Q: Is a subscription required to use Upstreamed?

A: A subscription is not required to use Upstreamed, as our Basic (Free) plan provides access to many of the core features. However, subscribers to the Starter, Professional, or Lifetime plans unlock additional features designed to enhance your experience. For example, subscribers can access advanced analytics, priority peer review, boosted post visibility, and enhanced collaboration tools. To explore these features and more, visit the Upgrade tab in the Navigation Bar.

Q: How can I cancel my Upstreamed subscription and will I receive a refund?

A: To cancel your Upstreamed subscription, log in and go to the Account tab in the Navigation Bar. Click on the Cancel Subscription button. Please note that Upstreamed operates on a "Freemium" model, and as such, all paid subscriptions are non-refundable. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us at [email protected].