Doctors Warned of Facebook Flirting
Doctors in Britain were warned not to respond to sexual advances from patients made through social networking sites such as Facebook, as such contacts could breach their ethnical duties.
The Medical Defence Union (MDU), which provides legal advice and assistance to medics, said it was aware of several cases where patients propositioned doctors through the sites – and said doctors should stay well clear. In one case, a female doctor was asked out for a drink by patient as she left the surgery.
She refused, but the patient continued the requests via Facebook and sent her a bunch of lilies, learning through the site that they were her favourite flowers. “The pitfalls posed to doctors using social networking sites by inadvertently breaching confidentiality or posting unprofessional content, such as photos, have been well documented,” said Dr Emma Cuzner, MDU medico-legal advisor.
“But doctors may be less prepared for patients using sites like Facebook to ask them out on a date.” She added that doctors must keep relationships with patients “on a professional footing,” saying; “This is in line with doctors” ethical duties not to pursue improper relationships with patients.”
