Question

A physician in your setting is an avid user of social media. On many of his personal pages, which include blogs about his various outdoor hobbies, he plasters pictures of himself and his friends out drinking. He also tends to post extreme comments about politics and the economy. Many in your setting joke with him about the intensity of his social life, to which he always comments, “Work hard, play hard.” Though his actions are not hurting the morale of the setting, and his posts are always before or after work hours, should anything be said to this physician? In the future, could your setting experience any ramifications because of his presence in social media?

Post an explanation of the possible social, ethical, and/or legal ramifications of your assigned scenario.

Answer 1

Yes, this physician really needs a piece of advice from his settings projecting the impact of his photos and comments on the patients as well as the society. Professionals are meant to follow an ethical status both in the personal as well as professional life, and are not meant to hurt the ethical beliefs of the public or the society. Doctors, especially, are considered as of having huge influence on the society's ethical beliefs. And if such a doctor projects his very personal life in a not so comfortable way to the public and social media, the setting has to involve in it and make him understand the situation.

Also in the future, chances of many untoward experiences can happen to the settings from the patients as well as the public. The social ramifications may include the patients may like or dislike his personal status. Some patients may get attracted to him thinking he will not object the drinking habit of the patient and consult him for their health issues. Some patients may lose their trust in him and move away. This loss of customers ultimately cause financial loss.

The status of the setting also may be questionable when the physician is so open with his ideas on social media. Also there are some ethical and legal concerns , that the settings follow may get disrupted by the physician with his extreme comments on political or social issues. This can adversely affect the settings , and may invite legal or ethical queries from the top levels.