Do not look up records of celebrities

[Rug Doctor]

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http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/03/15/britney.hospital.ap/index.html

If a celebrity is treated at your hospital or residency program, do NOT look up their records out of curiosity! You could be fired (especially if you are a resident) and your career ruined forever.

Some people looked at Britney Spears records. Years ago, designer Versace was shot and people were fired for looking at his records.

It's not that exciting. Just image your ordinary patient's chart except the name is that of a celebrity. A minor celebrity once came to the resident's clinic and I happened to be the one to see him. His chart was so ordinary. I did privately ask for an autograph which the chairman probably wouldn't have approved.

 

[MR1]

As far as britney's case this time I think the main draw was she was admitted to the psych service - which would make an interesting read. Regardless though like you said it is wrong and I have no problem with someone getting fired for it. I really think it is sad this happens alot when famous people go to the hospital, another forum commented on one time when George Clooney's chart was looked at when he was hospitalized.

 

[DOCTORSAIB]

We should make a poll on here to see how many people would look at Britney's Psych chart if they knew NO ONE would find out. Just out of curiousity.

I know where my vote would go!

 

[Eyescan]

3 people looked up President-elect Obama's passport records and 2 got fired. From early reports, it looks like personal curiosity not political dirty tricks. That's the problem with domestic spying, too easy for employees to look you up. On the other hand, if they look up Osama's friend in the US, ok

 

[Caffeinated]

We should make a poll on here to see how many people would look at Britney's Psych chart if they knew NO ONE would find out. Just out of curiousity.

I know where my vote would go!

As physicians, the public expects us to be held to a higher standard. The reason that people feel safe coming to the hospital is that we are held to this higher standard. Having integrity means doing the right thing even when nobody is looking. Peeking into a celebrity's medical/psychiatric record for nothing more than curious pleasure, even if you don't get caught, is unprofressional.

If you are treating a patient, it is unavoidable -- and often times necessary -- to learn about some of the elements of their medical or social history that they would not otherwise share with the general public. I have had many patients who have told me information, or I have discovered information in their medical record that left me looking like this guy ---->😱
But the most important thing is that patients feel comfortable and safe with their doctors knowing their secrets. If a doctor goes out of their way to learn those secrets outside of a doctor-patient relationship, this is a violation of the public's trust, and it hurts the entire profession. Once you put that MD or DO after your name, the public holds you to a higher standard. Furthermore, you become an ambassador for the profession, and your colleagues also hold you to a high standard.