GMC: Doctors’ Use of Social Media: Summary

SJT Textbook: Doctors’ Use of Social Media

Doctors’ Use of Social Media – GMC Guidance for UK Doctors

Doctors’ use of social media under GMC guidance is a core MSRA SJT professionalism topic covering confidentiality, boundaries, professionalism, and conflicts of interest.

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🎯 9 THE CORE PRINCIPLE

Doctors’ use of social media is now a high-risk professionalism domain tested repeatedly in the GMC MSRA SJT.

Doctors increasingly use platforms like X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Reddit, and professional forums. Although these platforms differ from traditional clinical environments, the same GMC standards apply: confidentiality is absolute, boundaries must be maintained, conflicts of interest must be declared, and communication must remain respectful and professional.

The MSRA SJT tests your ability to recognise risky online behaviour, avoid boundary breaches, resist posting identifiable patient information, manage inappropriate patient contact, and maintain your professional reputation. High-scoring behaviours emphasise caution, confidentiality, and seeking advice before engaging publicly.

🧩 KEY PRINCIPLES (MSRA SJT Interpretation)

1. Confidentiality applies everywhere — especially online

Core idea: Never share identifiable patient information, even anonymously, indirectly, or in private groups. Exam cues:

* No case details
* No photos
* No disguised identifiers
* Multiple small details can identify a patient

2. Professionalism online = professionalism offline

Core idea: Standards do not change because the medium changes. High-yield behaviours:

* Accuracy
* Respect
* Accountability

3. Boundaries must be preserved

Core idea: Keep your social and professional lives separate. Examples:

* Do not “friend” or follow patients on personal accounts
* Direct patients to official channels if they message you privately
* Avoid flirting, humour, or informality that undermines professionalism

4. Be cautious even with privacy settings

Core idea: Nothing online is truly private. Risks include:

* Screenshots
* Reposts
* Hacked accounts
* Metadata revealing location

5. Declare conflicts of interest

Core idea: Transparency protects trust. Examples:

* Sponsored posts
* Industry involvement
* Paid educational content
* Promotional material

6. Never criticise colleagues or employers online

Core idea: Social media is a public space; unprofessional comments damage trust. Includes:

* Bullying
* Harassment
* Defamation
* Spreading rumours

7. If identifying as a doctor, use your real name

Core idea: GMC discourages anonymous doctor accounts because they imply professional authority while avoiding accountability. Note: Anonymous accounts can usually be traced.

8. Understand the risks of sharing location or photos

Core idea: Photos of workspaces, screens, or patients can accidentally disclose confidential information.

9. Social media can benefit public health only when used safely

Examples:

* Public education
* Myth-busting
* Professional networking
* Recruitment & teaching

But always with confidentiality and boundaries intact.

⚡ HIGH-YIELD ACTIONS (What Scores Points)

1. Keep patient information and clinical cases off social media entirely.
2. Redirect patients to official channels if they contact your personal accounts.
3. Maintain a clear separation between personal and professional profiles.
4. Seek guidance from seniors/defence organisations when unsure.
5. Declare financial relationships or sponsorships transparently.
6. Avoid emotional or impulsive posts.
7. Treat colleagues with fairness and respect online.
8. Review privacy settings but do not rely on them for safety.
9. Avoid discussing workplace issues publicly.

Patterns to avoid: oversharing, boundary violations, emotional responses, and undeclared commercial interests.

💬 MODEL PHRASES (Use These in SJT Logic)

* “I need to maintain professional boundaries and direct this to official channels.”
* “My social media use must meet GMC standards of professionalism.”
* “I will not comment publicly about workplace issues.”
* “I must declare any financial interests when posting.”
* “I’ll seek advice before responding online.”

S – Separate personal and professional profiles
O – Observe confidentiality strictly
C – Colleagues treated respectfully
I – Interests declared transparently
A – Avoid emotional or impulsive posts
L – Limit online patient interactions

📋 QUICK FAQ

Can I post an anonymised interesting case?
No — anonymisation is rarely safe. Can I respond to a patient who DMs me?
Redirect them to official pathways. Is it ever okay to criticise colleagues online?
No — always unprofessional. What if I want to remain anonymous?
You are still accountable; anonymity is never guaranteed. Can I share public health information?
Yes — provided it is generic and still professional.

📚 GMC ANCHOR POINTS

* Confidentiality
* Maintaining trust
* Probity and honesty
* Professional boundaries
* Social media guidance
* Conflicts of interest

💡 MINI PRACTICE SCENARIO

A patient messages your personal Instagram account asking for advice after seeing you post about migraines. Best action: Politely explain you cannot give medical advice on personal social media and direct them to appropriate NHS channels. Why: Protects boundaries, confidentiality, and professional integrity.

🎯 KEY TAKEAWAYS

✓ Always uphold confidentiality online
✓ Maintain firm personal–professional boundaries
✓ Behave as professionally online as in person
✓ Declare financial/commercial interests
✓ Avoid emotional or critical posts
✓ Keep workplace and patient matters off social media
✓ When in doubt, seek advice

Safe doctors’ use of social media always follows GMC confidentiality, boundary and professionalism standards.

🔗 RELATED TOPICS

* → Maintaining trust
* → Confidentiality in media criticism
* → Professional boundaries
* → Conflicts of interest
* → Duty of candour

📖 FULL PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Example SJT — Best of 3 (8 options; choose three)

A patient finds your personal Facebook account and sends a long message asking for medical advice.

Options:
A. Reply with advice to be helpful
B. Direct them to official NHS services
C. Block them and ignore the message
D. Explain you cannot give advice via personal accounts
E. Discuss the case but avoid identifiers
F. Seek advice from a senior or defence organisation
G. Ask them to follow your professional account instead
H. Offer to move the conversation to WhatsApp

Example SJT — Rank 5 (best → worst)

You see a colleague post an angry rant about staffing shortages, referencing a recent patient incident.

Options:
A. Advise them privately to remove the post
B. Report the concern to a senior because confidentiality may be breached
C. Comment publicly urging them to calm down
D. Ignore it as it’s their personal account
E. Share the post because you agree