'Tweeting' medics expose patients

Medics posting messages on networking websites like Facebook and Twitter are breaching patient confidentiality, the Journal of the American Medical Association reveals, reports the BBC.

Research in the leading journal found examples of web gossip by trainee doctors sharing private patient stories and details.

Over half of 78 US medical schools studied had reported cases of students posting unprofessional content online.

One in 10 of these contained frank violations of patient confidentiality.

Many postings included profanity and discriminatory language. Sexually suggestive material and photos showing drunkenness or illicit drug use were also commonplace.

Online Posting of Unprofessional Content by Medical Students - Journal of the American Medical Association

emily | 9:11 AM | Twitter |
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