Is it right for a doctor to post a selfie with a patient's image in the background on social media? | Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog

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Thursday, 2 April 2015

Is it right for a doctor to post a selfie with a patient's image in the background on social media?

This photo of a medical doctor taking a selfie with his patient in the background caused some kind of argument on Facebook today. Some felt his action was unprofessional and asked him if it was ethical to do such. His response was more of self-defense and counter criticism. See that after the cut...


Now the question is…with regard to professionalism and the Hippocratic oath sworn by medical doctors, can the doctors action be justified? The photo he posted below...

at 4/02/2015 01:49:00 pm

111 comments:

  1. Davido's driver2 April 2015 at 13:50

    Only quacks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown2 April 2015 at 14:58

      Dat doctor must b sick, and unprofessional. He should b admitted or go for check up. Dis is nonsense, and d height of unprofessional conduct.

      Delete
    2. Unknown2 April 2015 at 14:59

      It is totally wrong.

      Delete
    3. ELENA (HER MAJESTY)2 April 2015 at 15:08

      It's un ethical.

      Btw the fact that he's putting on aa theatre cloak doesn't make him a doctor.

      He might as well be a theatre attendant.

      In theatres, u could take pictures bt bout a procedure but without d face of the patient,so i wonder y he would take pictures not of a procedure but of the patient and post online.

      We'v got what we call consent with which we abide by and i doubt the above RTA looking patient,wouldn't have had d will nor strength to utter a consent,

      So yea...its unacceptable

      Delete
    4. NaijaDeltaBabe2 April 2015 at 17:05

      It's ethically, morally and every shade of wrong. Wat was he trying to do? Lose his license?

      Delete
    5. Unknown2 April 2015 at 17:29

      Such silliness!
      It's not by speaking English Dr. Rishante. Take down the pictures and apologise. Simple. ----C21

      Delete
    6. Damilola Ade2 April 2015 at 18:15

      Most youths and nigerians re. Educated illiterates! U pple can get a simple message all u do is act like deaf and dumb,imagine a comment talking abt if d patient have HIV!! Abah this doctor was only saying pple shld take it easy with the election victory jubilation and those patients in this doctor's selfie is an explanation that they are victims of the victory jubilation hence is hash tag #someonestopthismadness. Pls consult ur brains digest and read well.

      Delete
  2. Davido's driver2 April 2015 at 13:50

    Prolly with permission from the patient that's if the patient is the relative/spouse. Lindaobserve

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TAMARA SPLASH2 April 2015 at 16:19

      Nope. This is not a one atall

      Delete
    2. Anonymous2 April 2015 at 20:33

      I'm a doctor and I can confidently say that this is extremely wrong. Even pictures that are taken for treatment purposes to monitor the course of an infection are taken with permission of the patient. He can be sued for this. He even showed his face and dug his own hole. Very wrong.

      Delete
  3. Unknown2 April 2015 at 13:54

    That's a mean spirited joke.
    Don't think its right.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous2 April 2015 at 15:09

      Lmao Christie ooooo I see uve been doing a lot of research on vocabulary lately,ure nt dere yet,u hv miles to cover bt u'll get dere someday,keep it up

      Delete
    2. TAMARA SPLASH2 April 2015 at 16:27

      This is uncalled for. He should be sanctioned immediately

      Delete
    3. knowurway.com2 April 2015 at 20:05

      Is not right @all, is very bad of him to do such thing.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous3 April 2015 at 16:27

      I am a doctor..and I am 90% certain that man is not a dr.....
      Could be a cleaner or a porter. ...
      No dr would post such and come out ro defend it.....see em yeye face...dr wannabe

      Delete
  4. Unknown2 April 2015 at 13:54

    is totally BAD.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Unknown2 April 2015 at 13:54

    Totally wrong wat if d patient has HIV or some kind of disease nd doesn't want pple 2 find out, tinz lyk ds can flUsh d patient out, if its mi I will sue d doctor its do unethical.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Eagle2 April 2015 at 13:56

    It's totally unprofessional for crying out loud.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous2 April 2015 at 13:57

    Well, I Think it's ok so long as the name or personal details of his patient is not disclosed. And that's where confidentiality comes in.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous2 April 2015 at 13:57

    i'm a doctor and this is VERY UNETHICAL! unless he explicitly got permission from the patient to post this pic on social media (which i highly doubt), this doctor needs to go and refresh his memory. he'd be fired or at the very least face the ethics committee if he worked in my hospital (in the US).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ELENA (HER MAJESTY)2 April 2015 at 15:14

      Save your breath...i doubt he's a doctor.

      I'm pretty sure he's a theatre attendant.

      When did we start pushing theatre trollies huh?

      Delete
  9. Juleslouis2 April 2015 at 13:58

    Oh my goodness. All i see is d extremely wounded patient. What happened to his hands and face? Chai

    ReplyDelete
  10. ary2 April 2015 at 13:59

    The social media is blurred the line between ethics and morality. Anything goes these days.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Bishop Dammy2 April 2015 at 14:00

    Not really ideal. Things like that shouldn't be encouraged for any reason. Courtesy demands you show respect in every situation. James 4:17

    ReplyDelete
  12. oiza2 April 2015 at 14:01

    This doctor.. Hmmm I think he's a northerner

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. mallam Habib2 April 2015 at 15:07

      Now what brought region in this discussion???

      Delete
    2. mallam Habib2 April 2015 at 15:07

      Now what brought region in this discussion???

      Delete
    3. mallam Habib2 April 2015 at 15:08

      Now what brought region in this discussion???

      Delete
    4. D'ANGEL.2 April 2015 at 16:45

      Oruwe, what as being a northerner got to do with this. Now, I know that not all that comment on socia-media a mentally sane.

      Delete
  13. Unknown2 April 2015 at 14:02

    This Doctor is so proving Albert Einstein right. What a generation of id...,selfie madness. This is so unprofessional,the so called "doctor and his likes" deserve what ever lash they have got so far and more.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Unknown2 April 2015 at 14:02

    Wrong,, its very wrong for the doctor

    ReplyDelete
  15. Eze2 April 2015 at 14:03

    Is best he showed it, so that our useless fools can see it

    ReplyDelete
  16. Eze2 April 2015 at 14:03

    Is best he showed it, so that our useless fools can see it

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous2 April 2015 at 17:15

      Why are you such an idiot?You are such an empty barrel

      Delete
  17. Anonymous2 April 2015 at 14:05

    Wrong on ALL levels except with the approval of the patient.The NMA should suspend or revoke his license.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Bukas2 April 2015 at 14:05

    IT IS WRONG AND UNETHICAL. he appears so arrogant. HE SHOULD BE SANCTIONED BY NMA AND CMDA.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ELENA (HER MAJESTY)2 April 2015 at 15:19

      He ain't a doctor...such a high and prestigious tittle shouldn't be given to a mere theatre attendant dt chose to be unprofessional,not that it exist in their dictionary anyways.

      A doctor can't act as such cos he'd know better

      Delete
  19. sky2 April 2015 at 14:06

    He shouldn't have. Hope the right people take up this case to deter others

    ReplyDelete
  20. APPLELIPX2 April 2015 at 14:07

    He is wrong and more wrong for trying to justify d act

    ReplyDelete
  21. Kponskii2 April 2015 at 14:08

    Use grammar defend ya sef doc.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Orimolade2 April 2015 at 15:45

      Grammar wey no make sense. He's an idiot!

      Delete
  22. Unknown2 April 2015 at 14:08

    It's very wrong. The pix even emphasized the patients more than himself. I am a medical doctor and I assert that this doctor be called to order.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Unknown2 April 2015 at 14:08

    This is unprofessional.....and he shud stop justifying his actions...........The medical/dental board shud look into dis case






    Moye says so via BB Passport...Courtesy LIB....


    ReplyDelete
  24. Unknown2 April 2015 at 14:08

    smh lobatan selfie in ER

    ReplyDelete
  25. laulipop2 April 2015 at 14:09

    He is nt suppose to without d consent of d patient
    Patients are treated with confidentiality!
    Mind you, they are patients n not criminals. #ethics of the health proffession......Registered nurse.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Unknown2 April 2015 at 14:09

    That doctor shud be queried

    ReplyDelete
  27. chinoble2 April 2015 at 14:15

    Everything is wrong about it. The patients have right to their privacy, The doctor is meant to be more interested in their treatment and quick recovery. Why the selfie in the first instance? just few months ago in China, some doctors lost their license to this same offence.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous2 April 2015 at 14:16

    Wot the bloody fuck?!! Stupid animal! Dis is jst wrong on every level

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous2 April 2015 at 14:17

    I think it is wrong of the Doctor to post the selfie with a patient in the background.

    I also think it wrong that he challenges the commentator for asking.

    If he did not want comments, he should have kept his post private!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anonymous2 April 2015 at 14:20

    As a foreign trained medical graduate based in the US, he is wrong and his over inflated egoistic response is wrong. Health care workers over here have been fired for same offense. Posting that pic with the patients behind is equal to bridging patient's privacy and confidentiality rights. I can triple assure you he didn't get the permission from those two before taking that pic and before posting it. Thats a warrant for getting him laid off if not prosecuted. He should either have taken it down or found a better response. Attacking the writer and bragging about his knowledge of medical ethics is horrible. I dont know where this happened but over here, he will be fired asap and if he is not, someone would do amebo to the state licensing officials who will conduct investigation. ...end result? He will still be fired for bridging patients rights and confidentiality if not prosecuted. I have seen people fired for posting pics which patients gladly took but no proof that they approved your posting it. Even if they approved you taking the pic, did they approve your posting it to the public? If not, its infringement on patient's confidentiality.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Anonymous2 April 2015 at 14:25

    very unprofessional common among young doctors

    ReplyDelete
  32. Bunny2 April 2015 at 14:33

    Oga we no dey drag ethics with you, na question we ask. Where is the selfie you took with an Ebola patient? Dokta!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Anonymous2 April 2015 at 14:35

    We all know this is unprofessional.
    He should know that it is very wrong. What is he even doing with his phone when he is meant to be attending to the patients that need so much attention?
    Having the guts to post it on fb makes no sense.
    He needs to be penalized by the medical guild association.
    What is he trying to display to people?
    I don't get.................

    ReplyDelete
  34. Unknown2 April 2015 at 14:38

    Haba this is highly unprofessional abeg. Dis is meant to be confidential doc.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Unknown2 April 2015 at 14:38

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Anonymous2 April 2015 at 14:39

    Those patients doesn't even look alive seems they are corps but its a very bad one from u doc

    ReplyDelete
  37. Unknown2 April 2015 at 14:40

    Haba, this is highly unprofessional abeg. What d hell is he trying to create. Things like dis re meant 2b confidential young Doc. Its obvious d@ he is new in d profession. Smh

    ReplyDelete
  38. Unknown2 April 2015 at 14:42

    Haba, this is highly unprofessional abeg. What d hell is he trying to create. Things like dis re meant 2b confidential young Doc. Its obvious d@ he is new in d profession. Smh

    ReplyDelete
  39. Unknown2 April 2015 at 14:43

    Absolutely WRONG !









    (BALKAN)

    ReplyDelete
  40. Unknown2 April 2015 at 14:43

    Haba, this is highly unprofessional abeg. What d hell is he trying to create. Things like dis re meant 2b confidential young Doc. Its obvious d@ he is new in d profession. Smh

    ReplyDelete
  41. Anonymous2 April 2015 at 14:45

    Don't get me started on him using bible reference to support his wrong. I am a Christian and people who use bible to support doing wrong get on my nerves. Dude, you are wrong. Accept it and move on. Accept it and make a joke. The earth wont stop cos you admitted being wrong. Your ignorance in defending your action makes me wonder what other aspect of medicine you are ignorant about and what effects it would have on mankind or your patients. Borrow a page from same Paul you wrote about and be humble. #humbleyourself#.
    With regards to his boast about medical ethics, he was wrong. With regards to pauline ethics, he was wrong. I am not insinuating like he told the commenter, I am telling him "dude, you are wrong". You are VERY IGNORANT of your ethics.

    Funny he ended with smh. Another ignorance on his part.

    Mr. Hauwa E OTeri MD, I shake my head vigorously on your behalf for your ignorance

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Orimolade2 April 2015 at 15:59

      Hauwa Oteri was the person who did the right thing and called him out. Doc's name is Rishante Ugyarah.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous2 April 2015 at 20:21

      Emmm, oga anon 2:45 Hauwa is the commenter and not the doc, read again

      Delete
    3. iyke cindy2 April 2015 at 20:29

      God bless u 4 dis lil piece....i hope he reads it nd rights his wrongs instead of trying to justify his action# my guy u ae wrong..shikena.

      Delete
  42. Subomi2 April 2015 at 14:46

    no no no!!!! this is very wrong

    ReplyDelete
  43. Unknown2 April 2015 at 14:49

    Haba, this is highly unprofessional abeg. What d hell is he trying to create. Things like dis re meant 2b confidential young Doc. Its obvious d@ he is new in d profession. Smh

    ReplyDelete
  44. Unknown2 April 2015 at 14:49

    Haba, this is highly unprofessional abeg. What d hell is he trying to create. Things like dis re meant 2b confidential young Doc. Its obvious d@ he is new in d profession. Smh

    ReplyDelete
  45. Unknown2 April 2015 at 14:49

    Haba, this is highly unprofessional abeg. What d hell is he trying to create. Things like dis re meant 2b confidential young Doc. Its obvious d@ he is new in d profession. Smh

    ReplyDelete
  46. Unknown2 April 2015 at 14:50

    Haba, this is highly unprofessional abeg. What d hell is he trying to create. Things like dis re meant 2b confidential young Doc. Its obvious d@ he is new in d profession. Smh

    ReplyDelete
  47. Unknown2 April 2015 at 14:50

    Haba, this is highly unprofessional abeg. What d hell is he trying to create. Things like dis re meant 2b confidential young Doc. Its obvious d@ he is new in d profession. Smh

    ReplyDelete
  48. Unknown2 April 2015 at 14:52

    Am not a doctor and don't know anything about the ethics of being a doctor.
    But I think its wrong.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Unknown2 April 2015 at 14:55

    He is supposed to be sanctioned because he infringed on d patient's privacy. He is wrong for trying to justify his action

    ReplyDelete
  50. Nwabiafra2 April 2015 at 15:01

    He epitomises everything wrong with Nigeria or better still the zoo called Nigeria.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Timi Da Uyi2 April 2015 at 15:05

    YOU PEOPLE can like to judge and critic just anything and anyone. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING wrong with the pics. He is educating people mostly and not merely taking a selfie!

    ReplyDelete
  52. MADE IN NIGERIA2 April 2015 at 15:11

    I might not be a medical doctor, but dis is soo WRONG!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Unknown2 April 2015 at 15:17

    Thanks Linda. Now he's gonna get the boot.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Unknown2 April 2015 at 15:21

    Over wrong dey worry am set, what rubbish! Linda take note!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Unknown2 April 2015 at 15:21

    Over wrong dey worry am set, what rubbish! Linda take note!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Unknown2 April 2015 at 15:21

    Over wrong dey worry am set, what rubbish! Linda take note!

    ReplyDelete
  57. Unknown2 April 2015 at 15:21

    Over wrong dey worry am set, what rubbish! Linda take note!

    ReplyDelete
  58. Anonymous2 April 2015 at 15:22

    His response is "I'm a doctor and you are not?" Weak. He's obviously a loser.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Anonymous2 April 2015 at 15:22

    Wrong of him to do dis.

    ReplyDelete
  60. BlonQo2 April 2015 at 15:30

    I'm a doctor. A young one at that and this is very wrong. At this point if he had apologized and taken down the pics he would still have some sympathy. But he still went ahead. To defend his folly in the most conceited way. And in this era of social media, he only has himself to blame if this whole thing blows up in his face. I wish him the best

    ReplyDelete
  61. Anonymous2 April 2015 at 15:34

    It is absolutely wrong because it's a gross violation of patient's rights under the laws of medical ethics and patient consent.
    It's very unfortunate my colleagues get away with a lot of ills taking advantage of our banana republic:-(

    ReplyDelete
  62. Anonymous2 April 2015 at 15:39

    I'm a doctor and it's totally unacceptable unless d patient gave him consent to do so!!! Can't believe he was even trying to defend himself rather than take it down!!! Anyways in Naija patients don't know their rights as such if not he shld get his ass sued!!

    ReplyDelete
  63. Blog tourist2 April 2015 at 15:46

    no big deal,as far as the patients faces ain showing...nothing wrong wit takin a selfie in the ER

    ReplyDelete
  64. Unknown2 April 2015 at 16:00

    Very unethical!

    ReplyDelete
  65. Anonymous2 April 2015 at 16:14

    Americans call this HIPAA violation. You go smell your yansh if na US.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous3 April 2015 at 05:46

      Thank you. I was going to say, I'm sure there must be a law that parallels HIPAA in Nigeria brcause this is wrong on so many levels. Doc or attendant or whatever you are. Admit it! You messed up!

      Delete
  66. Ndidiamaka2 April 2015 at 16:30

    Very very wrong of U gramatical oversabi doctor.

    ReplyDelete
  67. Anonymous2 April 2015 at 16:49

    Unethical his license should be revoked. It's an infringe on the patients privacy. This act cannot be justified unless the patient gave consent, and in this case they clearly couldn't have

    ReplyDelete
  68. Unknown2 April 2015 at 17:03

    I am very sure he is a 300L over sabi medical student. A licensed , responsible, Medical Doctor won't do that.See him rapping Shakespearean grammar . After,he will say he's been on Call.#Selfie call.odiegwu.If I were the patient's relatives, I will sue him asap.Mtcheew

    ReplyDelete
  69. Unknown2 April 2015 at 17:09

    He should have just uploaded the victims picture without his own

    ReplyDelete
  70. Unknown2 April 2015 at 17:10

    He should have just uploaded the victims picture without his own

    ReplyDelete
  71. Unknown2 April 2015 at 17:29

    Is he an IT student or wat,he shud b sanctioned.

    ReplyDelete
  72. Unknown2 April 2015 at 17:38

    Its not against our medical ethics so whats not ok about it. Pls next the talk

    ReplyDelete
  73. VICKIE ROBERT HOSPITALITY2 April 2015 at 18:08

    He should be stripped off his PIN number and struck off the register of medical doctors. What a shame. Taking selfie in an emergency situation. Patients image included in the selfie without their consent!!

    ReplyDelete
  74. Hawtberry2 April 2015 at 18:12

    I am a medical doctor and it is outrightly unprofessional. The administration will definitely take action.
    He is ignorant of his hippocratic oath

    ReplyDelete
  75. Hawtberry2 April 2015 at 18:12

    I am a medical doctor and it is outrightly unprofessional. The administration will definitely take action.
    He is ignorant of his hippocratic oath

    ReplyDelete
  76. Doc A2 April 2015 at 18:19

    US trained naija doc and nope it isn't right. I am not sure what the purpose of this was. Here we go by HIPAA, regarding patient confidentiality and he just broke it.

    ReplyDelete
  77. Anonymous2 April 2015 at 18:37

    he must be an aboki doctor

    ReplyDelete
  78. Doclanto2 April 2015 at 19:27

    Absolutely wrong!Extremely unethical!I remember being taught in medskul never to take d pics of ma patient while on admission,or durin routine check up.

    ReplyDelete
  79. iyke cindy2 April 2015 at 20:25

    So unprofessional nd unethical.....nd he has d guts to blab?? He shud be checked..



    ReplyDelete
  80. Unknown2 April 2015 at 20:48

    AH AH see Rishante O!! Bro Not sure that's pure tho, hehe my Sis got some Linda Ikeji Buzz today...niceeee!!
    #Unimaid

    ReplyDelete
  81. yabsy2 April 2015 at 22:49

    The patient on the left has probably died. Foam is still in his mouth. The one on the right seems to be unconscious or sleeping. This aboki is an attendant for sure. Even a mad doctor will not post these kind of pics. However he should be seriously penalised and fired too by his employers. Stupid and foolish scum bag

    ReplyDelete
  82. Unknown2 April 2015 at 23:17

    Not cool nah..imagine some1 is liein dia helpless n ur takin a selfie wit him...thats bad already nt to talk of been a doc on dutie

    ReplyDelete
  83. Anonymous2 April 2015 at 23:55

    this is absolutely unethical and wrong, but only in Nigeria will it be overlooked and i pray this changes soon. A friend of mine was suspended for 6 months without pay when she took a picture of a patient's leg (no face o) here in the uk and she even had good reason to do it but since she had no permission, she got in big soup. the doctor needs to learn about ethics

    ReplyDelete
  84. Dat general4 April 2015 at 08:30

    Absolutely wrong Dr...truth is, d hippocratic oath should b introduced as a brush-through course for all final year medical student for deeper appreciation.dis is d only way to cut down on such

    ReplyDelete
  85. Unknown14 April 2015 at 11:13

    to me, is not right

    ReplyDelete

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the comment writers alone and does not reflect or represent the views of Linda Ikeji.

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