Now here is an intriguing question. Should doctors google their patients, or potential patients? In a world where it seems that anything can be found on Google, are there times when that just isn't ethical?
It can be argued that for a doctor to google his patients is not a breach of privacy, since the information is in the public domain. On the other hand, should the information that might be found about a patient influence the doctor?
The question does not suggest an easy answer. But the writer on kevinmd.com states his own carefully thought-out opinion. "There are few ethical guidelines on this, with opinions on both ends of the spectrum ... The overriding question should be, 'Will researching my patient online improve their care?' If the answer is 'yes', only then, perhaps, will there be a legitimate reason to do so."
Do you have an opinion on this issue? Feel free to join the conversation and post a comment of your own.
http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2010/04/doctors-google-patients.html