Is it OK to google a patient?

Trust is crucial between healthcare professionals and patients, who must be able to trust that those involved in their care will behave professionally. 

With an estimated 83% of UK population using social media, you may also be able to access patients’ personal information online, just as patients can access yours. 

But it is ever ethical to 'google' a patient?  

GMC guidance

While there isn't any specific GMC guidance about doctors searching or googling their patients, the regulator says that patients must trust that medical professionals involved in their care won't see them as a potential sexual partner, or as a target for abuse or harassment. 

Even if none of these things are motivating a doctor to google a patient, a patient may still be concerned if they find a doctor has been accessing information about them online. This could lead to a complaint and a doctor having to justify their actions.

Maintaining professional boundaries

It's important to maintain professional boundaries with patients when practising medicine. The GMC's updated guidance advises doctors against personal relationships or social engagements with current patients.

The guidance on social media also urges you to "maintain patient confidentiality and recognise and respect patients’ dignity and their right to privacy."

Remember that people can see who has viewed your profile on some social media sites. On Instagram, users can see who has seen their story up to 48 hours after it’s been posted.

This also applies to photos or videos shared to your story on Facebook and to LinkedIn profiles, depending on a user's settings and membership level. 

Here are fictional scenarios based on cases reported to us by members. What would you do in these situations?

Accessing a patient's LinkedIn without permission

An MDU member contacted us for advice about a patient who'd made a complaint. The member was a cardiology specialist trainee and had seen a patient who had a relatively simple medical condition to deal with, but had been quite challenging to communicate with. 

The member felt intimidated by the patient who mentioned several times they had successfully sued other doctors for mistakes in their care. The patient said they were a successful lawyer and would have no hesitation in raising concerns with the GMC if they felt their care was inadequate. The doctor was understandably concerned and checked with their supervisor that the care they’d provided was appropriate.

Later that day, the member searched for the patient on LinkedIn and identified them from a photo and their name. The profile showed they were a trainee solicitor, rather than a qualified lawyer. 

A few days later the practice received a complaint from the patient who had noticed that the member had been looking at their profile. The patient said they felt violated by this and that the member had abused their position and over-stepped boundaries. 

Outcome and reflection

The doctor apologised to the patient for the intrusion on their privacy. They admitted they didn't have a clinical reason for looking at the profile, and it was just out of curiosity. They explained they had felt somewhat intimidated by the comments the patient had made and this had led them to search for the patient’s LinkedIn profile. 

The member reflected on the incident, accepting they didn't have a reason to access the patient's profile, even though it was public. The doctor also acknowledged they were only aware of the patient due to having treated the patient. Nothing more was heard from the patient about the complaint after the doctor's response.

Concern about a fundraising page

A GP member contacted the MDU for advice about a patient who had created a fundraising webpage for their family, claiming a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. The patient was under the member's care for depression and anxiety and hadn't been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer according to records.

The GP wanted to know whether it was appropriate to search for the patient's fundraising page to see whether it was accurate. They were concerned the patient was being dishonest and worried about the impact this information could have on the patient's children.

Advice and outcome

The MDU adviser explained that while there was no specific guidance on doctors searching for information about patients online, it was important to consider how patients might feel about this and whether it could jeopardise the trust between them and the patient. 

The member would need to be able to justify any decision to search for and view the information. They'd also need to consider what they would then do with that information.

The GP decided that as they'd received the information on good authority, there was no need to search for the page. Instead, they arranged an appointment to discuss what they had been told and give the patient an opportunity to explain. 

The GP felt it would be a good opportunity to check that the patient's mental health wasn't suffering and that they didn't need support in other ways. The member could then also consider whether this raised a safeguarding concern about the patient's children.

This page was correct at publication on 29/07/2024. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.