Doctors ‘mocking’ patients on Facebook

Their job is to treat and care for patients, but lately doctors have been mocking patients and disclosing their sensitive medical information on Facebook.

The New South Wales (NSW) Medical Board has warned a doctor for making flippant and derogatory comments and others to think twice before disclosing patient details on social networking sites.

"The usual rules about confidentiality apply. But even when patients are not identified, members of the public may be upset by the content of such postings," The Daily Telegraph quoted the board as saying.

After a disgruntled patient read nasty comments over the facebook, the NSW president of the Australian Medical Association, Dr Michael Steiner, said he was astonished that doctors posted patient information on Facebook.

"Doctors need to remember at all times the importance of patient confidentiality. I cannot believe that anyone would be silly enough to do this," said Steiner.

The AMA also questioned the professionalism of doctors who accepted their patients as friends on social networking sites.

"It is inappropriate in most cases to blur the line between a professional relationship and friendship.The word profession has a meaning, and a doctor is meant to be the ultimate professional," he added.

Dr Steiner blasted such breaches of the code of conduct as being akin to road rage.