There are times when a particular complaint or
accusation from a patient can be set upon by the media. To be thrust into the
public eye in such a fashion can have devastating effects on a doctor’s
reputation – both on a professional and personal level. For the accused, a ‘trial
by media’ can arrive completely out of the blue and in most cases it is
important to seek advice and support with how to respond to such attention. MPS
can provide help and support in situations such as these – the assistance we
offer can depend on the circumstances, however there are many common approaches
used by the media that you should be aware of, and several methods for dealing
with them...
Essential tips to remember
Members of the media often attempt various methods
of contact, many of which may catch you off-guard. The media may contact you
by:
·
Phone
·
Email
·
Through social
media, eg. Posting a comment or question on Twitter or Facebook
·
Arriving at your
home or place of work
·
Through
colleagues, friends or family.
In these cases it’s always best to avoid responding
straight away – maintain your professional composure, take the details and say
you will phone or email them back. In the case of an ongoing investigation or
litigation it is particularly important to contact the MPS press office for
advice before making any statements or comments to the media.
What can you say?
Sadly, it’s a fact of life that the media can be
notorious for its ability to sensationalise stories and print comments out of
context. It is very easy to get caught out this way, even if you have nothing
to hide, so it is essential to consider your responses in advance. Again,
speaking to a member of the MPS press office, or seeking medicolegal
advice from one of ourexperts, should be the first step before
making any comments to the media.
Any comments must be short and factual; journalists
often work to a strict word count and any lengthy comments may be edited, which
could distort the meaning or alter the emphasis of what you intended to
say.
There may be occasions where it is appropriate for
you to make a specific comment. For instance, if a patient has died then you
may feel it is appropriate to express your condolences or regrets to the
family. It is wise to keep statements succinct and factual; we usually suggest
that about 150 words is enough as a general guide.
Confidentiality
Remember that patient confidentiality remains
paramount when making comments or statements to the media. Whether you are at
the centre of an ongoing investigation, or you have been asked to give your
opinion on a story in the press, you must be careful not to disclose any
confidential information regarding patients. This means that in many cases you
will not be able to comment about the specifics of a particular case, however
you can explain why – because of your ongoing duty to maintain patient
confidentiality, or because the case is the subject of ongoing legal
proceedings.
Read more guidance on
dealing with media enquiries involving patients from the GMC
Good record-keeping
If a complaint by a patient did ever reach the
courtroom, doctors’ notes are often relied on as a form of evidence. So, good
medical records are vital for defending a complaint or clinical negligence
claim as they provide a window on the clinical judgment being exercised at the
time. Keeping your records clear and comprehensive will ensure they are
sufficiently comprehensive for legal use.
For more information on keeping good medical
records and the essentials to include see the MPS factsheet ‘Medical
records’
Further reading
GMC, Good
Medical Practice
MPS Guide,
Handling the media, a guide for doctors
MPS UK Casebook Vol. 22 no.2 – May 2014, The accused
MPS Factsheet, Report
writing
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