Don't blow your reputation

On Thursday 15 May, a number of MIPS members were invited to a special MIPS risk education event with TV doctor and co-host of Channel Ten’s The Project, Dr Andrew Rochford and special guests. 

Guest speakers included Dr Radhika Sheorey - recent graduate and MIPS member, David Maddocks - Partner with Perry Maddocks Trollope Lawyers and Dr Robert Walters a MIPS clinico-legal adviser with media profile. 

(Pictured L to R - Mr David Maddocks, Dr Radhika Sheorey, Dr Andrew Rochford, Dr Rob Walters)

MIPS members earned CPD points by attending and were privy to advice for managing both personal and professional online profiles and personal anecdotes about our speaker’s experiences.

The presentations focused on the theme of protecting a professional’s reputation and preserving it in this age of social media and instant information dissemination. 

In summary in terms of awareness of risk and exposure it appears we have come a long way as a society since the advent of social media. However although individuals are on the whole more aware of the risk and exposure from having an online profile (and how that might affect their personal and professional reputations) – more work needs to be done.

Hints

To check your current status and help you protect your online reputation:

• Google your name and ask yourself are you comfortable with your online profile? 
• Avoid commentary and/or discussion in any public forum about professional/confidential healthcare matters 
• Be aware that any one-on-one discussion about health issues with a person can be seen as a teleconsultation 
• Never discuss patient or employment related issues regardless of how accurately and objectively you believe they have been portrayed and how carefully you have performed the steps to ensure confidentiality 
• Remember that anything that is written will be difficult/impossible to retract and anticipate that anyone anywhere can (and probably will) access it 
• Clearly understand and follow university, hospital/employer, Board etc guidelines and protocols on the use of social media 

For further hints, see our article Protect Your Profile.

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