Medicos expected not to indiscriminately post patient information on social media: NMC

NMC released guidelines on the professional responsibilities of medical students. The guidelines also mentioned the ever-expanding scope of social media with its usefulness as well as possible professional hazards associated with its indiscriminate use. Medical students are asked to not indiscriminately post patient information on social media.

In the guidelines released by the National Medical Commission (NMC) on the professional responsibilities of medical students, NMC has said that it is expected that medical students should not indiscriminately post patient information on social media.

NMC's guidelines reads, "Students must be aware of the ever-expanding scope of social media with its usefulness as well as possible professional hazards associated with its indiscriminate use."

As per the guidelines, the students are encouraged to keep abreast of new health laws being discussed in Parliament or at the state and in keeping with the role of a citizen-doctor, they must also respond when bills are opened for public views and comments. They are also expected to participate in community events related to health education, health promotion and prevention.

"During their clinical training, medical students are expected to politely introduce and identify themselves as students to the patients before eliciting history and examining patients. They must understand that patients are not a means to an end. Students must be sensitive to the patient's needs and wishes," says NMC.

Students are also encouraged to organise regular environmental audits of the campus to identify the problem areas concerning the environment and initiate suitable programmes like tree plantation, reduction of the use of single-use plastic, judicious use of water etc.

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