Published 12 October 2009, doi:10.1136/bmj.b4173
Cite this as: BMJ 2009;339:b4173

Letters

GMC guidance on confidentiality

Muzzling doctors in the name of confidentiality

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

The fluidity and ubiquitousness of the internet and mass media can result in a doctor’s reputation being savaged by misguided or malicious patients’ comments published in the public arena. The General Medical Council’s recently enacted supplementary guidance on responding to criticism in the press is deeply worrying.^{1 2}

It specifically muzzles a doctor from any right of public reply under the curious explanation that to do otherwise "may undermine public confidence in the profession." The only response should be limited "to an explanation of your legal and professional duty of confidentiality."² This meaningless cop-out is likely to imply guilt in the public’s eye, and, perversely, could undermine the public’s confidence in the medical profession.

The GMC’s guidance is a step too far. If a patient has discussed a part of his or her medical condition in the public domain and in so doing denigrated a doctor without justification, surely the patient . . . [Full text of this article]

¹ London E15 3HQ

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Rapid Responses:

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Public responses

Andrew K Bacon
bmj.com, 14 Oct 2009 [Full text]

Dr Gilliat needs to be more specific....

Jay Ilangaratne
bmj.com, 15 Oct 2009 [Full text]

Author's Reply; Muzzling Patients in the name of Confidentiality

Jack Gilliat
bmj.com, 16 Oct 2009 [Full text]

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Michael Keegan
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