Medical Union warned Doctors from “Facebook Flirt”

AZ — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:07:09 +0000

The Medical Defense Union, a statutory body for doctors, said that communication through sites like Facebook may be a violation of ethical responsibilities.
He issued the warning after a series of cases in which patients medical proposals after finding their data online.

Regulators agree that physicians should be careful.

The MDU also said that physicians should refrain from making comments that may identify patients amid concerns some may “vent” to colleagues through Facebook, thinking it was a private forum on security settings mean no one could see what he is saying.

The group said the new General Medical Council’s guidelines explicitly mentioned “Internet chat forums” in their rules of confidentiality.

Last year, a group of dental nurses were reprimanded by the heads of establishing a social networking group called “I’m a dental nurse and patient, because I like …”

The MDU also highlighted cases of patients who have tried to find inadequate relationships with doctors who had treated them.

Earlier this year doctors in training at Birmingham University were told to block their profiles from Facebook after they were harassed by patients who had tried during placement of the hospital.

”Professional footing’

Dr Emma Cuzner, a medico-legal adviser at the MDU, said: “Some doctors have told the MDU they feel it would be rude not to reply, if only to politely refuse, but given that this is not a professional route of communication any correspondence of this sort would clearly stray outside the doctor-patient relationship.

“We are advising members about the importance of keeping relationships with patients on a professional footing.

“This is in line with doctors’ ethical duties not to pursue improper relationships with patients.”

A spokeswoman for the British Medical Association said it was right to be cautious.

“Social networking sites are part of everyday life and are extremely popular.

“However, the BMA believes doctors must maintain their professional relationship with their patients and not do anything that puts this in jeopardy.”

A GMC spokeswoman added: “Doctors must understand that when using these sites, their conduct must remain within the boundaries of the doctor-patient partnership.”

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Medical Union warned Doctors from “Facebook Flirt”

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