Can Doctors and Patients Be Friends? BMA: No
Social-networking services such as Facebook Inc. pose risks for doctors, who should “politely refuse” friend requests from patients and be wary of posting on Twitter, the British Medical Association says…. Online social networks can “blur the boundary” between a doctor’s professional and private lives, the group said.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHw3xadHorw
The farmer and the
Cowman should be friends.
I just don’t get the point of trying to become a Facebook friend of everyone and every business you come in contact with. Why would I want to send my doctor a Facebook friend request? Why would my doctor set up a Facebook account for his practice?
Devon has a point. It’s the same way with students and professors these days.
Nice musical pairing. Clever.
I think that doctors and patients shouldn’t be friends because when will the doctors punch out? As a psychologist, I was trained to not be friends with patients because that would render me ineffective. It’s hard to be objective or professional when you’ve been out drinking the night before. I’ve noticed that doctors have a similar problem but it’s more about them than patients themselves. When doctors and patients become friends, when will the doctor start being a friend? It’s difficult enough having your actual friends asking you for medical advice but your patients too. Doctors need a part of their lives where they are just them with no white robe or scrubs.
I’m friends with all the professionals I deal with: doctor, lawyer, accountant, etc. What’s the big deal?
I agree with Devon, but more and more people are conducting official business over Facebook, including some members of Congress.
I think it depends partially on how you view Facebook. Is it a tool for staying in touch with family and close friends, or is it a communication tool akin to e-mail, used to correspond with a wider circle of contacts? Though Facebook began as the former, more and more people seem to be treating it as the latter nowadays. Whether that’s a positive development is (quite clearly) up for debate.
It depends upon your definition of “friend.” Most people use the term “friend” as anyone who speaks to them but that is not correct. Your doctor, surgeon, therapist, priest, professor, boss, etc. are not your “friends.” They are friendly to you as you are to them. However, they provide a paid service to you and are not your BFF. Your boss and co-workers have a professional working relationship with you so be careful. They are supportive but will use your dirty laundry against you if it comes down to one of you getting a pink slip. Your pastor/priest/rabbi/etc works for God and is there for your spiritual help. There will always need to be a separation. The same thought process is for the others. Look for friends away from work and other professional who you pay.