Doctors and social media

[BashfulShark]

Curious, should doctors be talking to and discussing medical advice (which goes against the current published NHS stance) over social media?

It's made me feel pretty damn uneasy - was about to register at that practice but don't think I will be doing so now though a bit unsure if I am being knobbish.

Good luck finding a doctor you're happy with OP.

I hope I'm not speaking out of turn but you mention you have anxiety, beta blockers have been life changing for me and mine

but that's the point, bad advice given in a private consultation is a lot more dangerous that bad advice given online, with people replying questioning or proving why it's wrong

with people replying questioning or proving why it's wrong

People didn't though as she went in claiming she's a medic, talking for other medics etc. People just seemed to take it as gospel.

I would be concerned about a GP advocating a treatment, not supported by evidence or NICE and from which they were profiting.

Advocating non NHS funded supportive therapies (including specialist physio or massage for example) is fine so long as its a genuinely independent recommendation.

I am not surprised to read that GPS are using social media to discuss treatments/Care plans. There is very little time anymore to meet and chat and bounce ideas off each other IRL. That is how knowledge and experiences are shared, ideas and poor practice challenged, and how professionals can grow and learn from each other.

As long as confidentiality and professionalism are maintained, I think it is a good thing. Far better than To be talking with colleagues than not.

Sorry it was not GP to GP. It was GP to patients and public.

Was it something unavailable on the NHS because of evidence its ineffective (snake oil of some sort eg homeopathy, some herbals, acupuncture in all but a few instances) or because the NHS just doesn't have the funding for it (cosmetic dermatology, wart freezing, hair removal creams, ear syringing - a lot of practices can't afford to replace the kit now the funding has been withdrawn) which the practice is making available on a private basis?

GPs are not allowed to offer private treatments to their own registered patients, unless it's something not offered on the NHS at all (eg Botox for purely cosmetic reasons). So I struggle to see how a GP could profit personally from advocating a non-conventional treatment for her patients.

I think you should let the doctors get on with it and google something else

You can technically say what you like so long as it's not direct advise or advising a specific person. I often advise people to drink pints of gin on social media or surf ontop of trains

spoog I need you as my doctor please!

This is the most vague post I've read in a while. Can't answer your question until you say 'this doctor said exactly this to this person and I don't agree with is because of this this and this'.

I think we have this weird expectation of doctors and how they are supposed to behave. They aren't super hero's and really are just normal people. If they want to discuss something on social media then go for it. At least they are being transparent. My father is a GP and he is constantly having disagreements with his partners. It's all normal stuff.

How did you happen to find the one doctor you are wanting to sign up with as your GP on a Facebook page? That’s a coincidence!

They commented on a post I wrote... I didn't "find" them.

I’m in a FB group for my profession. You have to give your registration number to join so it’s limited to that profession. There are 11k members.
We discuss general topics and specific cases but patient confidentiality is always strictly observed.
I find it so useful.