The BMA acknowledges that many doctors may choose to share some personal information with patients, but this can be controlled in the consulting room in a way that is not possible online.8 The American Medical Association suggests that doctors should separate professional and personal content online and “must recognize that actions online and content posted may negatively … Making friends as an adult can be weirdly ... health professionals to share their thoughts about being friends with former patients, ... respond to every worrisome status post on Facebook. Social media is a new arena within which doctors must tread carefully, being mindful of their responsibility to maintain public trust and the standing of the profession. Request PDF | On Oct 1, 2010, Amin A Muhammad Gadit and others published Should doctors and patients be friends? Create a Facebook page for your practice. But don’t expect your doctor to “friend” you on Facebook – at least, not just yet. Also make sure to send them across to every doctor you know, to thank them for their efforts to keep you safe and sound. Maintaining a professional boundary between you and your patient This guidance helps you to explore and understand the issues of trust in the doctor-patient relationship and looks at factors affecting patients’ vulnerability. The bottom line is that doctors have to beware of what they write on social networking sites, and who they share it with. Connect with friends, family and other people you know. We're regularly updating our advice for doctors as the situation develops. Don’t use your personal account as that can … "People may think they're protected so that what they post can only be seen by a friend or family member, but life has proved otherwise," Idelson said. “I can’t breathe.” “Okay, let me call the doctor and get everything ready.” “Tell my kids I love them.” “Tell them … In the real world of human beings, friendships are sometimes going to form between doctors and their patients. Being friends with your patient could distort your medical judgment. If she can't get Dr. Brull by phone, she sometimes tries another way— Facebook . But it can also affect the doctors who have to break it to a patient's friends and family. 2. Although social media has become engrained into almost every area of our life, becoming Facebook friends with your doctor may alter the traditional patient-physician relationship in … Although you might want to friend your doctor on Facebook, be aware that not all physicians will warm up to the idea of having patients watch their family videos. But when you need a drug every day to survive, you're going to find a way to get it. Prospective patients will get a glimpse of who you are before even stepping foot through your practice doors. Reflecting on a study of trainee doctors in France, the need to protect one’s personal information and photographs seems to outweigh the fear of embarrassing the patient or losing their confidence in the context of accepting a friend request from a patient. I am friends with my doctor on facebook. While some of these incredibly accurate friend suggestions are amusing, others are alarming, such as this story from Lisa*, a psychiatrist who is an infrequent Facebook user, mostly signing in to RSVP for events. the doctor-patient-friend relationship is essential to the creation of this sense of 'home' for patient and provider; it is built on bidirectional communication and transparency. An OB-GYN is in the middle of a social media maelstrom after complaining about a patient on her Facebook page.. Dr. Amy Dunbar, 33, of St. John's Mercy Medical Center in … Our doctor can only assess and recommend. This, however, comes with its own risks, as three experts tell Abi Rimmer Sofia Sarfraz, senior clinical fellow in paediatrics and medical education, says, “For patients who don’t share your language the gold standard is to use a professional interpreter. 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