PRACTICAL PROBLEMSMEDICOLEGAL FEATURE
See what people are saying about… Spill the beans
social networking pitfalls
Tweeting into trouble
Sara Williams explores the pitfalls of social networking
F
rom two White House containing enough clinical Dr Godeseth. “New on night shift took turns to
gatecrashers who information that a patient doctors should select photograph themselves on
celebrated their could be identified.
2
strict privacy settings on ward floors, resuscitation
victory on Facebook, to the MPS is aware of cases social networking sites.” trolleys and on the building’s
American Dana Hanna, who where junior doctors have
interrupted his wedding discussed patients on
to update his Twitter and social networking sites,
Facebook accounts and assuming that they would
declare that he was about not be identified – but they
The crucial thing to remember
to kiss the bride – last were exposed and those
year, social networking involved were disciplined.
when interacting with medical
sites made headlines for “The crucial thing to
very bizarre reasons. remember when interacting
blogs and social networking
However, they also made with medical blogs and
headlines for more contentious social networking sites,
sites, or when taking part in
ones: the US Marine Corps or when taking part in
banned social media from its forum discussions, is that
forum discussions, is that
computer networks, Dutch anonymity is a myth,” says
lawmakers were told off for MPS Medicolegal Adviser Dr
anonymity is a myth
Tweeting in parliament and Chris Godeseth. “You should
the British High Court ordered write everything as if you are
its first injunction via Twitter to signing it with your name.”
stop an anonymous Tweeter
impersonating someone else.
1 Keep it confidential
helipad. The pictures
Social media is now a
Professional vs
featured on a Facebook page
permanent fixture in most We are constantly
personal
called the Secret Swindon
people’s lives. We should all bombarded with warnings Emergency Department.
be aware of the dangers, but about disclosing our bank The GMC has no specific It was deemed that those
none more so than doctors, details online, but the same guidance relating to social involved had breached health
whose comments could get principles apply to patient networking, but has and safety and infection
them into a lot of trouble information. You would not reiterated the need for control regulations, so
with their regulator or trust. write your account number consistent professionalism. they were suspended and
Last year, the Journal on a social networking site, You are expected to behave faced disciplinary action.
of the American Medical nor would you discuss professionally and not bring Recently NHS Greater
Association uncovered personal financial matters. the profession into disrepute, Glasgow and Clyde
online breaches of patient “Patients may mistakenly whether that be on or offline. suspended a nurse after it
confidentiality on social identify themselves in Last year, seven doctors emerged she had uploaded
networking sites. The study discussions even where they and nurses were suspended pictures of patients having
found explicit postings from are not being discussed. This from duty at Great Western operations on to Facebook
trainee doctors that revealed might lead to complaints and Hospital in Swindon without their consent. Even
private patient information. trust disciplinary procedures, after taking party in the though the patients were
Most were in blogs, even if confidentiality is Facebook craze – the Lying not identifiable, Margaret
including one on Facebook, not breached,” explains Down Game.
3
The staff Watt, chair of Scotland
6 NEW DOCTOR | VOLUME 3 - ISSUE 1 | 2010 www.mps.org.uk
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