A junior doctor posts a photograph on a private social media account of a busy night shift, which includes a patient’s monitoring screen with the bed ...

Question

A junior doctor posts a photograph on a private social media account of a busy night shift, which includes a patient’s monitoring screen with the bed number visible but no name. The post is visible to several colleagues and some of their friends. A nurse raises a concern. What is the most appropriate response by the supervising consultant?

Accepted Answer

Explain that this is a breach of confidentiality, advise deletion, and offer reflective learning and local governance review.

Answer

Ignore the issue because no patient name is visible.

Answer

Tell the junior to delete the post but take no further action.

Answer

Report the junior immediately to the GMC without any local discussion.

Answer

Ask the nurse to speak directly to the junior instead, as this is not a consultant issue.

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): Professional use of social media