The General Medical Council (GMC) is set to introduce new guidelines that could see doctors facing regulatory action for sharing misleading information on social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. The planned update to the Good Medical Practice guide, which has not been revised since 2013, will require doctors to be honest and trustworthy, clearly state the limits of their knowledge, and make reasonable checks to ensure any information they share is not misleading.
The draft guidance, which is now open for consultation, also introduces a duty for doctors to act if they become aware of workplace bullying, discrimination, or sexual harassment. This marks a significant expansion of the professional standards expected of medical professionals in the UK.
Charlie Massey, chief executive of the GMC, emphasized the importance of the update in a statement, saying: “Good medical practice is the bedrock that helps guide ethical practice and supports doctors to provide the best possible care in a world of increasingly complex medicine. This update is intended to be relevant and helpful to medical professionals, and to benefit patients, now and for years ahead.”
Professor Neil Mortensen, president of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, welcomed the consultation, noting that “a lot has changed in medicine in recent years and the pandemic has exacerbated pressures on frontline medical staff. It is therefore important to have an opportunity to reflect on the professional values, knowledge and behaviour expected of our doctors and surgeons.”
