This topic is about making valuable resources like MeetAnOstoMate more accessible to people who have undergone or are about to undergo ostomy surgery. MeetAnOstoMate is an online community that offers support and advice to ostomates, but many people only find it by chance. The discussion centers on how hospitals and medical professionals can be encouraged to recommend such resources to their patients.

Here are some suggestions and insights on how to make these resources more accessible:

1. Use existing networks:
- Promote MeetAnOstoMate through social media platforms, especially Facebook groups dedicated to ostomy support, and organizations like the United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA).
- Mention the site at local UOAA chapter meetings, Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation gatherings, and other relevant nonprofit events.

2. Word-of-mouth, one professional at a time:
- Encourage members to personally contact colorectal surgeons, gastroenterologists, urologists, hospital WOC (Wound-Ostomy-Continence) nurses, surgery schedulers, local support-group leaders, and medical-supply companies to include MeetAnOstoMate in the resources they provide to patients.
- Follow through on the site's logout screen prompt to tell local ostomy suppliers, doctors, or nurses about MeetAnOstoMate.

3. Address liability and disclaimers:
- Some believe doctors avoid recommending specific websites due to malpractice concerns. A clear disclaimer stating that the site is for peer support only, which is already present on MeetAnOstoMate, might alleviate these concerns.

4. Professional-body outreach:
- Reach out to organizations like the American College of Surgeons, Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society, and Society of Hospital Medicine to distribute literature at conferences or arrange patient-speaker sessions.
- Consider seeking support from ostomy product companies or distributors to cover printing or booth costs.

5. Develop printed materials:
- Create a concise pamphlet or "resource card" listing MeetAnOstoMate, UOAA, key Facebook groups, and major manufacturers, and ask hospitals to include it in discharge packets.

6. Address name and perception issues:
- Some newcomers mistakenly think MeetAnOstoMate is a dating site. Rebranding or adding a tagline like "Peer Support & Information for Ostomates" could help clarify its purpose.

7. Share data points with clinicians:
- Highlight that the site has over 20,000 members and a wealth of archived Q&A to demonstrate its value.

8. Provide real-world examples:
- Share stories of how members have benefited from the site, such as finding solutions for controlling ostomy output or exchanging practical tips that clinicians might not provide.

By implementing these strategies, the ostomy community can work towards ensuring that valuable resources like MeetAnOstoMate are more widely known and accessible to those who need them.