J&K Medical Council sets social media guidelines for doctors

SRINAGAR: A week after an MBBS student filmed his career’s first stint in the operation theatre and posted it online as a reel, Jammu and Kashmir Medical Council (JKMC) on Wednesday issued social media guidelines for doctors in the Union Territory, prohibiting them from sharing images or videos of treatment results, surgeries, procedures, or healed patients.

In the video, which was widely circulated on social media platforms, an MBBS student at GMC Srinagar’s LD Hospital, excitedly shared that he was about to perform his first surgery in the OT, and proceeded to the labour room, thus exposing the parts of the patient’s body.

Taking serious cognisance, JKMC issued a set of guidelines to ensure such violations do not recur. While acknowledging the role of social media as “a powerful communication tool”, the Council, in a statement, cautioned against its misuse, particularly in ways that compromised patient privacy, confidentiality or autonomy.

JKMC directed registered doctors to follow the set guidelines on the professional conduct of Registered Medical Practitioners (RMPs) regarding the use of social media platforms in adherence to Indian Medical Council Regulations, 2002.

“RMPs must not advertise services, claim superiority, or engage in self-promotional activities (posting self-photographs or publicity on signboards beyond basic details). Permitted announcements are — starting practice, change of address, or temporary absence,” the JKMC statement said.

Patient information — including images, scans, treatments, and outcomes — must not be disclosed without explicit and informed consent, JKMC said. “Consent is invalid if the patient is in a compromised physical, mental, or emotional state. Patient testimonials, endorsements, or reviews cannot be solicited or shared in any case on social media,” it added.

The Council asked RMPs to maintain dignity and avoid behaviour that discredits the profession on any media platform. “Sharing factual, verifiable, and non-misleading educational content is allowed, within one’s expertise. Public discussions of treatment or prescribing medications online is prohibited; patients must be directed to proper telemedicine or in-person consultations,” it said.

Online presence must reflect medical ethics, truthfulness, and respect for the profession, patients, colleagues and the community, JKMC said, urging doctors to share content responsibly.