Opinions about professional behavior on on-line forums

[mynjms]

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I frequent another online forum (non-medical) in which I have seen other physicians post what some might consider too personal info.

One in particular has recently posted specifics about what specialty he is in, where his residency is, what year he's in, where he will be practicing (he's already taken a job), what his salary will be (very high), and the pros and cons of his specialty including examples of patients he dislikes. A brief look at his history reveals thousands of posts regarding a variety of hot-button topics including abortion and healthcare reform.

For kicks, I did a quick google search and was able to find him on his residency's webpage, including a brief bio, and discovered that his username is the same as his email address.

So I guess I would just like to hear everyone's opinions on whether this is professional behavior or not. We've all heard stories about people getting in trouble (including criminal charges) for things said on Facebook or the like. Everyone is entitles to their opinion, no question there, but do you believe he should have exercised more descretion with regard to his online behavior for the sake of his career?

 

[WashMe]

I frequent another online forum (non-medical) in which I have seen other physicians post what some might consider too personal info.

One in particular has recently posted specifics about what specialty he is in, where his residency is, what year he's in, where he will be practicing (he's already taken a job), what his salary will be (very high), and the pros and cons of his specialty including examples of patients he dislikes. A brief look at his history reveals thousands of posts regarding a variety of hot-button topics including abortion and healthcare reform.

For kicks, I did a quick google search and was able to find him on his residency's webpage, including a brief bio, and discovered that his username is the same as his email address.

So I guess I would just like to hear everyone's opinions on whether this is professional behavior or not. We've all heard stories about people getting in trouble (including criminal charges) for things said on Facebook or the like. Everyone is entitles to their opinion, no question there, but do you believe he should have exercised more descretion with regard to his online behavior for the sake of his career?

Somehow I can't help but wonder if you're referring to yourself... since you only have 2 posts, lol. I only want to come off as a d-bag in one arena; SDN forums. Thus, I got rid of my facebook. I DO think that people are likely to google potential employees/business partners, so I try to be at least somewhat reasonable about what I say. It sounds like the guy in your story crossed the line.

 

[mvenus929]

The only things I've personally heard people getting in trouble for for what they post on Facebook has been related to HIPAA violations. It doesn't sound like that's what this guy did...

He is allowed to express his opinion. If someone doesn't want to hire him because of it, or patients don't want to see him anymore because of it, so be it.

 

[cpants]

You are buying into the med school administration ideal of professionalism in which you are supposed to keep your mouth shut and completely conform to whatever behavior they are trying to require that day. In the real world you are allowed to express yourself, in public if you so choose. You are allowed to express unpopular, even extremely controversial viewpoints. As long as you do right by your patients, fulfill ethical and professional obligations, and don't discrimate or impinge on others rights, you are being professional. In your case the guy did nothing wrong (assuming he disguised pt identity enough to preserve their privacy).

 

[redsquareblack]

You are buying into the med school administration ideal of professionalism in which you are supposed to keep your mouth shut and completely conform to whatever behavior they are trying to require that day. In the real world you are allowed to express yourself, in public if you so choose. You are allowed to express unpopular, even extremely controversial viewpoints. As long as you do right by your patients, fulfill ethical and professional obligations, and don't discrimate or impinge on others rights, you are being professional. In your case the guy did nothing wrong (assuming he disguised pt identity enough to preserve their privacy).

I agree, more or less. Were I a potential employer, I might have reservations about hiring him, based upon OP's description of his online behavior and lack of discretion. In terms of professionalism, with only the description to go on, there aren't any major red flags; as you say, people should be allowed to express opinions, even about controversial subjects.

I'd be interested to see the tone of his posts, how he expresses disagreement, whether he is unprofessional in his interactions with others. In my opinion, that would be far more enlightening. Otherwise, his ability (or lack thereof) to protect his online privacy is his own problem, not mine.

 

[cpants]

I agree, more or less. Were I a potential employer, I might have reservations about hiring him, based upon OP's description of his online behavior and lack of discretion. In terms of professionalism, with only the description to go on, there aren't any major red flags; as you say, people should be allowed to express opinions, even about controversial subjects.

I'd be interested to see the tone of his posts, how he expresses disagreement, whether he is unprofessional in his interactions with others. In my opinion, that would be far more enlightening. Otherwise, his ability (or lack thereof) to protect his online privacy is his own problem, not mine.

Yeah, I didn't say it was risk free. Nobody wants to hire a blowhard. Doesn't mean the guy is unprofessional.

 

[45408]

I don't really think that's unprofessional (unless the patient information revealed someone's identity). It's unprofessional to treat poor patients differently from rich patients, but it's not unprofessional to have opinions about them or to voice those opinions on an Internet forum. It could come back to haunt you in some way though. Just look at that lawyer who complained about how he wasn't going to be able to afford a maid, landscaper AND a nanny for his kids if Obama's tax plan went through. HUGE backlash and negative publicity.

I try to post things online with the idea that people who actually know me can/will read this stuff.

 

[mydogtobbi]

I wouldn't say it was unprofessional unless patients or health care workers were able to identify themselves or patients in situations that took place within a clinic or hospital setting. I think it is unsafe to have all of that information about yourself online, although I am speaking as someone who has worked with victims of stalking.

There are other reasons too. I just think it is not a good idea.

 

[TooMuchResearch]

I don't really think that's unprofessional (unless the patient information revealed someone's identity). It's unprofessional to treat poor patients differently from rich patients, but it's not unprofessional to have opinions about them or to voice those opinions on an Internet forum. It could come back to haunt you in some way though. Just look at that lawyer who complained about how he wasn't going to be able to afford a maid, landscaper AND a nanny for his kids if Obama's tax plan went through. HUGE backlash and negative publicity.

I try to post things online with the idea that people who actually know me can/will read this stuff.

Haha...I had a link to an article about that guy as my signature for a while. It was too funny not to share.

 

[MossPoh]

I love how we complain about too much anonymity on forums and then a debate about professionalism pops up when someone isn't anonymous and states opinions.

Until he (or she) starts giving out people's social security numbers ,talking about his (or her) hatred of a particular ethnic group, or anything else in that light, I don't really care.

 

[Droopy Snoopy]

I love how we complain about too much anonymity on forums and then a debate about professionalism pops up when someone isn't anonymous and states opinions.

Until he (or she) starts giving out people's social security numbers ,talking about his (or her) hatred of a particular ethnic group, or anything else in that light, I don't really care.

Well but other people might say, "until he (or she) starts talking about killing babies, about his (or her) hatred of poor people, or anything else in that light, I don't really care." Or what if he started spewing out videos about tiger's blood and substance-fueled foursomes with hookers?

In the real world you are allowed to express yourself, in public if you so choose. You are allowed to express unpopular, even extremely controversial viewpoints. As long as you do right by your patients, fulfill ethical and professional obligations, and don't discrimate or impinge on others rights, you are being professional.

Again that's your opinion, not a codified and universal definition. Professionalism and ethics depends on the point of view. Just because you're no longer under the thumb of medical school administration doesn't mean you won't be judged by other people's (maybe ridiculous) standards. Professionalism will always be what other people say it is, and the rules will change depending on who's calling the shots.

We as a group of healthcare students and enlightened young people might consider this person's actions OK, but like was said above I bet his employer would terminate his contract the minute he and his hot-button views showed up on CNN... on the basis of unprofessionalism. His patients might consider the airing of these opinions, if not the opinions themselves, to be unprofessional and choose another doc. Community groups and organizations might cancel his membership or association with their group because they don't want to be associated with those kind of activist views. Free speech is a utopian ideal, a myth.

BTW I agree with most everything that's been said, just playing devil's advocate. I think we should have MORE docs who express their opinions on any number of issues. This profession doesn't stick up for itself and its interests nearly enough.

 

[cpants]

Again that's your opinion, not a codified and universal definition. Professionalism and ethics depends on the point of view. Just because you're no longer under the thumb of medical school administration doesn't mean you won't be judged by other people's (maybe ridiculous) standards. Professionalism will always be what other people say it is, and the rules will change depending on who's calling the shots.

We as a group of healthcare students and enlightened young people might consider this person's actions OK, but like was said above I bet his employer would terminate his contract the minute he and his hot-button views showed up on CNN... on the basis of unprofessionalism. His patients might consider the airing of these opinions, if not the opinions themselves, to be unprofessional and choose another doc. Community groups and organizations might cancel his membership or association with their group because they don't want to be associated with those kind of activist views. Free speech is a utopian ideal, a myth.

BTW I agree with most everything that's been said, just playing devil's advocate. I think we should have MORE docs who express their opinions on any number of issues. This profession doesn't stick up for itself and its interests nearly enough.

Sure, any number of bad things may happen to him. You have a right to free speech, not a right to a job or organization membership. Exercising your right to speech can be risky, and it is wise to exercise it with prejudice. That said, nothing the OP alleges this guy did bordered on illegality or even views that were very extreme. If he was calling for the assassination of the president or something, that might be a different story.

His employer might find out and try to terminate him, but depending on his contract they might be in for a costly legal battle. Patients might shy away from his practice. However, there is no way this activity would jeopardize his medical license or board certification. He could always hang his shingle and work for himself if he is unpopular.

Obviously there are limits to what you can say or do and still survive in this profession. That said, if you are providing good medical care, not discriminating against groups of patients or employees, and maintaining your medical license you will generally be fine. When you work for someone else, you have to abide by your contract.

 

[thesauce]

So it seems the consensus is that his posts may hurt him professionally, but are not unprofessional.