Doctors told to exercise caution on social media

  • | Sunday | 25th June, 2017

"While social presence has become important for every professional these days, caution has to be exercised by doctors while posting anything. The medical filed is considered to be noble and doctors are hailed as next to God. Post any story or comments responsibly using sound judgement," he said.Highlighting that despite the existence of privacy options, many items published in social media are publicly accessible. "It is an international ethic," IMA national president Dr K K Aggarwal told TOI over phone from UK"One should refrain from posting personal or derogatory comments on public online platforms such as Facebook. He has stressed that doctors should assume that none of websites are fully private.

Aurangabad: Doctors will have to refrain from posting personal or derogatory comments on public online platforms and will have to be polite and respectful of others opinions from now on. These are some of the checks, which the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has advised its members to follow in what it describes as etiquettes or code of conductThe advisory has been issued by IMA in receipt of an email highlighting how a Mumbai-based doctor allegedly threatened to 'chuck out' patients from a certain community and letting them die, in a post on Facebook."It is an international ethic," IMA national president Dr K K Aggarwal told TOI over phone from UK"One should refrain from posting personal or derogatory comments on public online platforms such as Facebook. Post any story or comments responsibly using sound judgement," he said.Highlighting that despite the existence of privacy options, many items published in social media are publicly accessible. He has stressed that doctors should assume that none of websites are fully private."Be polite and respectful of others opinions, especially when discussions become heated. Also, be aware that inappropriate conduct can negatively affect your reputation and put you in legal trouble," the IMA has warned.It has also the practitioners to exercise discretion while posting anything online. "Before posting any story or comment, always ask yourself — Is it the truth; is it necessary and will it bring happiness to me and others? If the answer to any of these questions is no, then do not post it," Aggarwal said.According to IMA, the doctor in question is not a registered IMA member. The matter has been referred to Maharashtra Medical Council as well as the Medical Council of India, IMA national president Dr K K Aggarwal has said, in a communique issued to the press.IMA Maharashtra president Ashok Tambe has welcomed the code of conduct prescribed by the national-level body."While social presence has become important for every professional these days, caution has to be exercised by doctors while posting anything. The medical filed is considered to be noble and doctors are hailed as next to God. This sanctity should not be lowered due to any advertent or inadvertent error while posting on social media," he said.Aggarwal has also asked IMA Maharashtra members to immediately form a three member committee and visit the dialysis center in question to find out the details and credentials of the doctor who has posted the controversial post.

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