SJT Textbook: Confidentiality — Responding to Criticism in the Media

Confidentiality — Responding to Media Criticism (GMC)

🎥 Video Lesson (YouTube)

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SJT Textbook: Confidentiality — Responding to Criticism in the Media

Confidentiality — Responding to Media Criticism (GMC)

🎥 Video Lesson (YouTube)

🎧 Podcast Lesson (Spotify / Apple / Amazon)

🎯 THE CORE PRINCIPLE

Doctors may face criticism in newspapers, broadcast media, online forums, and social media platforms. The GMC is clear: patient confidentiality must never be compromised, even when defending yourself against allegations. A defensive or emotional public response that breaches confidentiality undermines trust, damages professionalism, and is considered serious misconduct.

In the MSRA SJT, safe candidates show restraint, professionalism, and awareness of the legal and ethical limits on public comment. High-scoring answers emphasise confidentiality, private channels of resolution, senior or organisational advice, and careful communication. Poor answers involve explaining the case publicly, sharing identifiable details, or escalating disputes in the media.

🧩 KEY PRINCIPLES (MSRA SJT Interpretation)

1. Confidentiality is absolute in media interactions

Core idea: Being criticised publicly never justifies revealing patient information. Exam cues:

* No clinical details when responding
* No confirmation or denial of patient involvement
* Avoid indirect identifiers

2. Provide only general statements

Core idea: You may refer to general policies, standards of care, and professional duties, not the specific case. Exam cues:

* “I cannot discuss individual cases”
* “We follow GMC and NHS confidentiality standards”

3. Seek advice before responding

Core idea: Professional, legal, and organisational advice reduces risk. Who to contact:

* Medical defence organisations
* Senior colleagues
* Communications/press office
* Legal advisers

4. Avoid emotional or reactive engagement

Core idea: Public arguments escalate conflict and damage trust. Exam cues:

* No social media back-and-forth
* No defensive posts
* No attempt to “correct inaccuracies” using patient information

5. Explore appropriate legal remedies privately

Core idea: Defamation, harassment, or harmful criticism should be handled through formal channels — not by breaching confidentiality.

6. “Patient” includes former patients

Core idea: Confidentiality obligations apply forever, even if the relationship has ended.

7. Organisational criticism may be addressed safely

Core idea: You may comment on general service issues without revealing patient information. Examples:

* Explaining waiting times
* Discussing staffing pressures
* Describing care pathways (without identifiers)

⚡ HIGH-YIELD ACTIONS (What Scores Points)

1. Avoid discussing any patient-specific details in public.
2. State you cannot comment due to confidentiality obligations.
3. Provide general information only (policies, standards, processes).
4. Seek advice from defence organisations, senior colleagues, or press offices.
5. Document the issue internally if relevant (e.g., reputation risk, safeguarding).
6. Consider private legal routes if defamation is involved.
7. Encourage concerns to be raised through proper complaints pathways.
8. Maintain a calm, professional tone at all times.

These traps involve over-disclosure, emotional reactions, or breaches of confidentiality.

💬 MODEL PHRASES (Use These in SJT Logic)

* “I will seek advice from my medical defence organisation before responding.”
* “I can provide general information about our service, but not patient-specific details.”
* “I will avoid engaging further on public platforms.”
* “I will address concerns through the appropriate formal channels.”
* “Confidentiality prevents me from commenting on this situation.”

M – Maintain confidentiality always
E – Explain you cannot comment on individual cases
D – Defence organisation advice
I – Indirect identifiers avoided
A – Avoid emotional/public arguments

S – Stick to general information only
A – Address concerns through formal channels
F – Follow legal advice
E – Escalate internally if needed

📋 QUICK FAQ

Can I deny allegations publicly?
No — even denial risks revealing patient information. Can I explain my side anonymously?
No — anonymisation is rarely truly anonymous; confidentiality still applies. Can I comment on general issues?
Yes — but avoid any identifiable case details. What if the criticism is false and harmful?
Seek legal/defence organisation advice; do not breach confidentiality. Does confidentiality apply to former patients?
Yes — indefinitely.

📚 GMC ANCHOR POINTS

* Confidentiality (media criticism)
* Duty of candour (private conversations, not media)
* Professionalism and maintaining trust
* Social media guidance
* Managing complaints appropriately
* Seeking legal/organisational advice

💡 MINI PRACTICE SCENARIO

A former patient posts false claims about you on social media and tags your workplace. Colleagues urge you to reply publicly with “your side of the story.” Best action: Decline to comment on the case due to confidentiality, seek advice from your medical defence organisation, and allow appropriate internal/legal processes to handle the situation. Why: Confidentiality overrides any attempt to defend your reputation.

🎯 KEY TAKEAWAYS

✓ Never disclose patient information publicly, including online.
✓ Confidentiality applies even when criticism is unfair.
✓ Provide only general statements and emphasise confidentiality.
✓ Seek professional/legal advice before responding.
✓ Avoid emotional or reactive engagement.
✓ Direct concerns into proper complaints pathways.
✓ Confidentiality applies to former as well as current patients.

🔗 RELATED TOPICS

* → Doctors’ use of social media
* → Duty of candour (private disclosure, not media)
* → Handling complaints
* → Professional boundaries
* → Confidentiality without consent

📖 FULL PRACTICE QUESTIONS

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

A patient posts an angry, inaccurate account of their consultation on social media, naming you and accusing you of negligence.

Options:
A. Post a reply explaining your version of events
B. Respond by saying you cannot discuss individual cases
C. Ignore the post and seek advice from your defence organisation
D. Share limited clinical details to correct the record
E. Ask colleagues to support you publicly online
F. Document the incident and inform your line manager
G. Threaten legal action in a public comment
H. Provide general information about your clinic’s processes

Example SJT — Rank 5 (best → worst)

A journalist calls asking for comment on a patient complaint relating to your department.

Options:
A. Explain you cannot comment on individual patients
B. Redirect them to the communications/press office
C. Provide general information about confidentiality and care standards
D. Discuss the patient’s care in general terms without using their name
E. Decline comment after expressing frustration about the complaint