Is it ethical to Google patients?

Researchers from Penn State College of Medicine are questioning when it is appropriate for healthcare providers to Google their patients.

Maria J. Baker, PhD, genetic counselor, medical geneticist and co-author of a Journal of General Internal Medicine article on the topic, began questioning the practice when she Googled a patient and found evidence the patient lied about having cancer.

Baker and her co-authors called on professional medical groups to establish a formal set of guidelines about when providers should Google a patient and when they shouldn't to protect patient privacy and trust.

They suggest the following 10 situations warrant providers to Google a patient.

1. A patient needs to be contacted to be warned of possible harm.

2. A provider suspects a patient is "doctor shopping" or visiting physicians until they achieve a specific outcome.

3. A patient dodges clinical questions.

4. A patient makes claims about their persona or family history that seem false or unlikely.

5. A patient gives a verbal medical history that differs from the clinical documentation.

6. A patient seems urgent and aggressive without justified reason.

7. Information from other healthcare professionals contradicts information given by the patient.

8. A patient or patient family members provide inconsistent information.

9. A provider suspects physical or substance abuse.

10. A provider suspects suicide risk.

 

More articles on integration and physician issues:

UC Riverside to launch residency program in Coachella Valley
Minnesota's 10 guidelines to integrate foreign-trained physicians
5 outcomes of anesthesia practice consolidation

Copyright © 2024 Becker's Healthcare. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Cookie Policy. Linking and Reprinting Policy.

 

Featured Whitepapers

Featured Webinars