Question

A 36-year-old woman with asthma and eczema posts identifiable pictures of a patient’s rash on her personal social media account asking friends for advice. The patient’s face is visible but no name is given. What is the most appropriate response from her supervisor?

Accepted Answer

Explain that posting identifiable patient images on social media breaches confidentiality, instruct her to remove the post, document the incident and consider local disciplinary and educational measures.

Answer

No action is needed as no name was mentioned.

Answer

Inform the GMC immediately without discussing with her.

Answer

Ask her to make her account private but keep the images.

Answer

Advise her to ask the patient for retroactive consent by phone.

Practice question

A 36-year-old woman with asthma and eczema posts identifiable pictures of a patient’s rash on her personal social media account asking friends for advice. The patient’s face is visible but no name is given. What is the most appropriate response from her supervisor?