I'm glad to see this idea is getting some traction, and I'm sad to see the negative views shared by a few in this thread. Since I brought up the idea, let me explain a little further...
As has been mentioned, there are many topics that are simply not in the same realm, planet, or universe of medical students or residents. This is not meant as an "elitist" statement, but just a true fact. As examples, nowhere in medical school is malpractice litigation discussed. Nowhere in residency is the deposition process discussed. These are sensitive topics that may or not be discussed in depth in an attending forum (generally, such as "what should I wear to my deposition", "how much should I charge for an expert witness testimony," "how do you write off time spent in court," etc) that need not be clouded with indirect or off topic postings. This is an example of how innocent questions or "opinions" of those less sensitive the the challenges of attending life can actually "kill" a thread, or prohibit others from posting who have the knowledge and experience to add to the conversation.
As our specialty evolves, as government regulation and core measures become increasingly relevant in our daily practice, documentation, flow, and basic specialty management, there will be increasingly challenging topics we need to address swiftly, with like-minded people, who - as has already been mentioned here - we "grew up with" so to say, and are at the same periods in our lives and careers. We are all student doctors (and will always be learning), but as our individual knowledge increases, we must begin to focus on those issues that are more relevant to our needs.
In that spirit, an attending only forum will only add to this board in many ways. For the medical student, it is a way to look into the window and see what being an attending is all about. For the resident, it is a way to learn more about the relevant topics that will be impacting their future practice. For the attending, it is a way to ask poignant and appropriate questions and receive like answers directly, from reliable sources, and even get information to share with your colleagues, partners, or hospital administrators.
By allowing viewing access to everyone, this is an excellent way to educate, and also inspire thought that can spin off similar threads in the main ED forum - which I would plan to also regularly follow and contribute to. I continue to learn clinically from this board, and I often do so without asking or posting, because I can read and learn. This will continue I imagine for all of us. This is why this board has remained so successful through the years.
A group of cardiologists meets monthly to discuss what OR sets they are going to order, what scheduling is most cost-effective to their group's bottom line, which surgeon has a substance abuse issue and how they are going to address it internally, which etc, etc, etc. This is not a secret meeting with a sinister plan - this is a real world example. The more you practice medicine, the more you realize that the clinical aspect of medicine is a very small (and sometimes relatively non-existant) part of your job, and that the real meat and potatoes of how you do what you do is learned "on the job" and can't be taught.
The practice of Emergency Medicine (and in many respects Anesthesiology, Radiology, Pathology, and other commonly "contracted" hospital-based specialties) has many challenges that take years out of residency to realize, and at times even realizing them is no comparison to waking up on a daily basis and having them alter your practice. Please don't consider the idea of sub forum as a negative, but look at it as a necessity as we all continue to cope with the challenges that lie ahead. For those of you still in training, having even a basic understanding of how real-world practice will impact your future can only help prepare you, educate you, and - God willing - empower you to realize how screwed up medicine is in our Nation, and how emblematic Emergency Medicine is of all of our problems.
*** Disclaimer - I am actually a very happy medical director who deals with these issues and others on a daily basis and can attest to how much I thought I knew as a medical student and resident, and how little I actually did. I can also testify to how little I know now, and how much I have to learn.