The social media is a double- edged sword that has the potential to bring benefits or negative outcomes. With the affordability, ease of use and various modes of communication viz Facebook, tweets, reels, tik tok, u tube, every Tom, Dick and Harry have become ” writers”. There is no harm in that, if certain rules are observed. Unfortunately, most users are not aware of these rules (“netiquet’) or ignore them altogether. Permission is not sought to post other people’s pictures / restricted information / information given in confidence.
Doctors are also not free of guilt in this aspect possibly because of ignorance. Healthcare personnel in the UK were dismissed for violations like posting a selfie taken in the operation theatre with the patient in the background / posting a selfie while scantily clad / posting a photo of a resected specimen without the patient’s consent. Whilst these are not stated specifically in the Hippocratic. Oath, these acts violate confidentiality and professionalism.
Doctors are bound by strict rules and ethics and need to be very careful with what they post. Even responding to unfounded attacks on social media might not be very wise, because it would really be taking the bait, opening up long and heated discussions with a lot of blaming and mud- slinging. If necessary, taking legal action might be more surgical.
Doctors cannot advertise although institutions can if properly done. We cannot accept gifts from drug companies / medical equipment suppliers, and posting pictures with the backdrop showing advertisements from these would be an unprofessional act. The exception allowed in Myanmar is when monetary assistance from these sources may be accepted for “educational purposes ‘.
Caution needs to be exercised by doctors especially in this age of easy accessibility of forums where we are so vulnerable.
