Unfortunately many doctors are led into a false sense of security by the fact they are posting in a closed group which is intended solely for doctors. The illusion of security is often supported by the fact that some groups ask for prospective members to provide their real name and GMC number by way of checking they are actually a doctor.

In addition, while there may be the expectation of camaraderie from fellow doctors it is worth bearing in mind the statistics in the GMC's The state of medical education and practice in the UK report: 2016. According to this report, 9% of complaints about doctors in 2015 came from other doctors. The number of these complaints is now slowing, but between 2011 and 2014 the number rose by an average of 11% per year.

Top tips, not top trumps

So what should doctors consider before posting comments about colleagues and patients on social media?

Many of these closed groups have hundreds, if not, thousands of members.
Some sites require the doctor to provide their name and GMC number, but it's not always possible to verify identities online.
Even among fellow doctors there will be variations in opinion on what is humorous and what is unprofessional.
Be mindful of how a patient may be identified even if their name is not given and how posting may unintentionally breach their confidentiality.
Similarly, when sharing copies of letters written by colleagues or others, just redacting the identifiers on the letter may not be enough to protect the patient or sender's identity.
Consider how the individual the post is about would feel if they read your comments. Patients go to doctors with the expectation of confidentiality.

While all of the above points may seem obvious, and while it is tempting to blow off steam in the virtual company of other doctors, it is important to recognise the potential problems with inappropriate social media posts, particularly those about patients. There have been several cases reported in the media where doctors who have made derogatory comments about colleagues or patients have been reported to regulatory bodies by other social media users.

Before posting online, even in closed groups, consider what the purpose of the post is, who may read it and how easy it is for someone to take a screenshot of your post and forward it on.

Resolution

The MDU member was given advice on how to approach this complaint, and after a written response and a meeting with the patient and his daughter no further action was taken. The daughter was able to explain to the GP in person how unprofessional and disrespectful she had found his post, particularly at a time when her family had received bad news. The GP appreciated this and sincerely regretted the distress his post had caused.

Closed groups online - a false sense of security?

Dr Ellie Mein

Closed groups online - a false sense of security?