Previously, I discussed the huge potential and possible limitations of Facebook-like medical practices that encourage patient-physician online interactions. Another reality of today’s technology is that doctors, especially the younger ones, might post unprofessional online content, that sometimes violates patient confidentiality.

Doctors today, just like anyone else, live in this world of user-generated Internet applications such as social networking sites (like Facebook, Twitter, MySpace), media sharing sites (like YouTube and Flickr), as well as personal blogs. And while the rest of us post comments about trivial stuff such as our recent vacation or the nice weather, doctors may post comments that can affect their patients and reflect badly on their profession and institutions.

In a study published last week in the Journal of American Medical Association, 13% of medical schools reported that their students have made online comments that violate patient privacy. Students’ use of profanity was reported by 52% of the schools, frankly discriminatory language by 48%, depiction of intoxication by 39% and sexually suggestive material by 39%. So what, one might say, these are only young medical students and these comments should be expected. That is true, but what is also true is that these are the doctors of the future. If they don’t develop professional online behavior now, it will be very hard for them to do it later on their careers.

And while the study only related to medical students, there is reason to believe that older practicing physicians might be involved in similar unethical behaviors. After all, the largest growing Facebook demographic are those 35 years old and older, and 52% of Twitter users are ages 35+. The study reported that only 38% of the medical schools had policies to deal with this issue. I would expect similar percentages among hospitals and physician group practices.

Discussing private patient information in public is a serious matter. Ancient Greek physicians pledged to respect confidentiality under the Hippocratic Oath. The same should be expected from physicians in electronic communication today.