Contributing to allergyguide.ca

Joshua Yu January 31, 2025 Updated: March 17, 2025

Thanks for checking us out! If you're interested in clinical allergy and immunology and would like to help out, connect with us (see the mail button at the bottom of the page). We are interested in recruiting medical students, residents, and allergy-immunology staff.

Contribution process

After exploring what options exist on the contribution hub:

Picture of the Google Sheets hub for topic/medication/research availability
The contribution process follows this rough timeline:

  • Prerequisites

    Pick a new or available topic from the list. Connect with an editor. Determine potential staff reviewer(s).

  • Drafting

    Timeline for initial draft depends on topic (ie. a few weeks to 1-2 months; check with an editor). See the contribution guides for:
    - macros, topics, patient handouts
    - medications
    - critical appraisal of research

  • Review and edits

    Editor and Contributor collaborate on initial edits. Once the editor and contributor are happy, the edited draft is sent for staff review.

  • Publish

    An editor with coding know-how will create the final formatted page for final review by the primary author(s) and staff.

Stylistic Principles

General writing guidelines
  • Be concise and clear -- the intended use is for residents
  • Use clear, structured formatting (headings, bullet points, tables) for readability
  • Avoid passive voice where possible
  • Abbreviations are fine but must be defined
  • While a single topic might be quite complex (i.e. asthma), each page is still meant to be relatively simple -- the goal is not to be a comprehensive textbook. Link to a resource that goes more in depth at that juncture, to another subpage, or create a drop-down 'Deep-dive'
General formatting guidelines
  • Bullet points: Prefer over long paragraphs; no periods at the end of items
  • Emphasize key points: Use bold, colour, and highlights
  • Tables/Figures: Only if they enhance understanding (e.g., decision algorithms)

Website / coding

oxipng -o 4 --strip all -a -Z *.png

ROADMAP and TODO!:

# Content

- Change Food immunotherapy topic into OIT and SLIT; the actual page should be a reference to the general principles and mechanisms
- Aiming for rough drafts of new articles qmonthly as eventual goal
- guideline compilation section (not sure if there's a way to automate this?)
- Allergic rhinitis seasonal calendar for allergens: per Province
- Setting up a new practice
  - Billing tips (would have to be province specific -- VERY fellow/new staff focused)
  - Supplies, etc.

# Shortcodes

# Misc

- head staff support?
- recruitment of editors/contributors once vision better defined