THE Australian Medical Association has issued guidance on how not to use social networking sites, after doctors were caught making fun of patients online.
The AMA cautions doctors against adding patients and colleagues as friends on Facebook and recommends they Google themselves to gauge their online persona.
It delivers a stern warning that indiscretions could result in serious consequences for doctors.
“It is wise to avoid online relationships with current or former patients,” the guide states.
“Boundary violations can occur very easily online and serious indiscretions may result in disciplinary action against the doctor.
“A moment of rashness now could have unintended and irreversible consequences in the future. Inappropriate online activities can be detrimental to relationships with patients and colleagues, training and employment prospects and personal integrity.”
The association also warns doctors against joining online groups that “might be considered racist, sexist, or otherwise derogatory” and making public comments that could be considered offensive.
Several doctors across Australia were recently caught out publicly ridiculing patients on Facebook, labelling some “whingers” and “dissatisfied housewives” to their online network of friends.
Some doctors were even found to have disparagingly named patients on social networking sites.
“I feel like an adviser to a women’s knitting club, having to suffer the whines of Mrs X and her daughter Ms X,” one doctor posted.
Dr Michael Bonning, chair of the AMA council of doctors in training, said: “We have seen doctors and medical students on the edge of what is reasonable and appropriate in terms of social media and that is why this represents an emerging concern for our members.
“The guide promotes professionalism by helping to explain how this new technology can impact doctors and stop them making mistakes that could come back to haunt them.”
The guide includes a checklist:
SEARCH for your full name in Google. Do you feel comfortable with the results that are shown?
HAVE you posted information about a patient or person from your workplace on Facebook? Have a look through your old online posts and blogs.
HAVE you added patients as friends on Facebook or MySpace?
HAVE you made a public comment online that could be considered offensive, or become a member or fan of any group that might be considered racist, sexist, or otherwise derogatory?
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