Health professionals and social media, black humor or disciplinary action?

There have been a number of instances I have come across within social media circles that has demonstrated poor judgment on the part of those involved.
The story began with a GP lecturer witnessing a conversation in the public platform of twitter between two Dr's.  I have seen a record of the conversation. It might seem to start out harmless enough, an unimaginative use of the word "madwife" to describe midwives, "labia ward" for labour ward but as the conversation moves further and further downhill I witnessed the use of such language I hate, "runts and cunts" to describe midwives and women on labour ward.
The GP lecturer decided to bravely challenge the behaviour in her blog post she describes how her challenge was received.
This blog post was then discussed on this Facebook page, The medical registrar where supposed professionals began to make personal verbal, abusive attacks on the GP lecturer. Abusive comments have also been left on her blog in the comments section and in response to a PATIENT who dared say that they were offended by the Dr's language! But isn't that why we are all here for the patients and the women?
The patient commented,
"I'm a bit shocked by some of the comments. As a taxpayer, healthcare patient and woman I am sickened by this language, and it has definitely brought the medical profession down in my eyes, particularly all the justification and minimizing going on after the fact. Respect for your fellow humans, people. If your profession is dehumanising you to the extent that you think language like this is OK, do something about the working conditions of your profession."


The response,
Oh, get the f*** over it, you professionally-offended self important waste of space. No-one has the right to not be offended."


Excuses of stress relieving "black humour" have been used in an attempt to gain some sort of acceptance of this abusive language. I am sorry but I did not see any sort of "black humour" on display in social media circles when the Welsh firefighters were attempting a stressful difficult rescue of 4 trapped miners.

I am also intrigued about the abusiveness of the personal attack on this GP who challenged these DR's. As adults we listen to news stories every day of teenagers being bullied through social networking sites and committing suicide. We tut and say shame on the bullies yet here are supposed grown up health professionals conducting personal abusive comments towards a fellow health professional. Well I am sorry but I for one don't think it is enough to just say, tut tut, shameful.

There are plenty of life threatening stressful jobs that see horrible things in life why do these Dr's think they are special enough to be able to use their demeaning language in the open on a social network that vulnerable patients can see and read?

I already have witnessed enough of it done to patients when they are under anaesthetic to such an extent that when I needed to have a procedure done that involved exposing my private parts to the world whist unconscious I suffered an emotional breakdown.

I would like to point out that it was not long ago that offensive secret message abbreviations were used in patients notes to make personal points about them. This was seen as being offensive when it became understood. I believe that this is the same thing and equally offensive.

Bullying in the health profession is rife in this blog post I document just a few instances that occurred to me. This is a further guest post on workplace bullying because wherever or whenever this is happening it is still bullying.

Time to remind everyone of their professional responsibilities, at least in the Southern hemisphere


The New Zealand Medical Council have a draft document discussing disruptive behaviour.

It states,

'Historically, disruptive behaviour has been tolerated by doctors because of the hierarchical nature of the medical profession."

It acknowledges that the Medical Council of New Zealand believe disruptive behaviour is unprofessional and that it expects doctors to act with, "honesty, integrity, probity, respect for colleagues and patients."

So what do they class as disruptive behaviour?

1. Sexual harassment
2. Racial, ethnic or sexist slurs
3. loud, rude comments
4. Intimidation or bullying
5. Abusive or offensive language
6. Persistent lateness in answering work calls
7. Throwing instruments
8. Offensive sarcasm or cynicism
9. Threats of violence or retribution or litigation
10. Demands for special treatment
11. Passive aggression

The Health and Disability Commissioner's Code of Rights makes reference to collaboration in Right 4(5) "Patients have the right to cooperation among providers to ensure quality and continuity of care."

The Medical Council of New Zealand also state that,

"Colleagues must always be treated fairly. In accordance with the law, you must not discriminate against them or let your views of colleagues’ lifestyle, culture, beliefs, race, colour, gender, sexuality, nationality, marital status or age prejudice your professional relationship with them. You must not undermine patients’ trust in the care or treatment they receive, or make them doubt a colleague’s knowledge or skills, by making unnecessary or unsustainable comments about them."

The Australian medical council code of conduct states that, 

1. 4.2  Respect for medical colleagues and other health care professionals
   Good patient care is enhanced when there is mutual respect and clear communication between all health care professionals involved in the care of the patient. Good medical practice involves:
   1. 4.2.1  Communicating clearly, effectively, respectfully and promptly with other doctors and health care professionals caring for the patient.
      
   2. 4.2.2  Acknowledging and respecting the contribution of all health care professionals involved in the care of the patient.
      
      

4.4 Teamwork
Most doctors work closely with a wide range of health care professionals. The care of patients is improved when there is mutual respect and clear communication, as well as an understanding of the responsibilities, capacities, constraints and ethical codes of each other’s professions. Working in a team does not alter a doctor’s personal accountability for professional conduct and the care provided. When working in a team, good medical practice involves:

1. 4.4.1  Understanding your particular role in the team and attending to the responsibilities associated with that role.
   
2. 4.4.2  Advocating for a clear delineation of roles and responsibilities, including that there is a recognised team leader or coordinator.
   
3. 4.4.3  Communicating effectively with other team members.
   
4. 4.4.4  Informing patients about the roles of team members.
   
5. 4.4.5  Acting as a positive role model for team members.
   
6. 4.4.6  Understanding the nature and consequences of bullying and harassment, and seeking to eliminate such behaviour in the workplace. 
   
   
   

The GMC state that the duties of a doctor are to:Be honest and open and act with integrity

• Act without delay if you have good reason to believe that you or a colleague may be putting patients at risk
• Never discriminate unfairly against patients or colleagues
• Never abuse your patients' trust in you or the public's trust in the profession.

I wish to remind midwives and student midwives that,
ANMC Midwives Code of Conduct states:


Statement 4
Midwives respect the dignity, culture, values and beliefs of each woman and her infant (s) in their care, and the woman's partner and family, and of colleagues.


Explanation


2. Midwives interact with colleagues in an honest and respectful manner.


5. Midwives refrain form expressing racist, sexist, homophobic, ageist and other prejudicial and discriminatory attitudes and behaviours toward each woman and her infant(s) in their care, partners, and families and colleagues. Midwives take appropriate action when observing any such prejudicial and discriminatory attitudes and behaviours.


Statement 9
Midwives maintain and build on the community's trust and confidence in the midwifery profession.


Explanation 
1. The conduct of midwives maintains and builds public trust and confidence in the profession at all times.


2. The lawful and unethical actions of midwives in their personal lives risk adversely affecting both their own and the profession's good reputation and standing in the eyes of the public. If the good standing of either individual midwives or the profession were to diminish, this might jeopardise the inherent trust between the midwifery profession and the woman, as well as the community more generally, necessary for effective relationships and the effective delivery of midwifery care.


3. Midwives consider the ethical interests of the midwifery profession when exercising their right to freedom of speech and participating in public, political and academic debate, including publication.


Personally I believe these health professionals are not behaving in accordance with their code of conduct if they partake in this online supposed "black humour".  It is interesting to note that apparently some of the English Dr's don't respect their governing body the GMC.