Blogs

Doctor Sacked for Inappropriate Tweets

31 Jan 2019

sara bird

by Dr Sara Bird

Woman holding mobile phone

A Resident Medical Officer (RMO) was recently fired from the Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, for making anti-Semitic remarks on social media.

It was reported that in one of her tweets the RMO said she would purposely give the wrong medications to Jewish patients and in another she referred to Jewish people as “dogs”.

This case is a timely reminder that the professional standards for the conduct of doctors are the same whether interacting in person or online. And these standards apply to doctors’ personal social media use, and not just professional online interactions.

Remember that any information you post on your personal profile can easily be linked to you professionally.

Before posting it is worth asking:

What would my colleagues/employer/patients think if they read this?

This blog contains general information only. We recommend you contact your medical defence organisation or insurer when you require specific advice in relation to medico-legal matters.

 

Library

Reportable Deaths and Coronial Matters

MDA National's Daniel Spencer (Case Manager - Solicitor) and Karen Lam (Medico-Legal Adviser) discuss when a person's death should be reported to the Coroner and what to do if the Coroner requests a statement or report.

Death Certificates

When a doctor can write a death certificate (where the death does not need to be reported to the Coroner), considerations when writing the death certificate and how to complete it accurately.

Communication in healthcare teams

Why good and effective communication is a vital part of delivering quality and safe patient care

Doctors, Let's Talk: Setting Boundaries At Work

A conversation with Nicola Campbell, Psychiatry Registrar, that explores the necessity of setting professional boundaries as a Junior Doctor.

Podcasts

07 Dec 2022