Worked Examples: Social Media Scenarios

Social media scenarios are increasingly common in the UCAT SJT. They test your understanding of confidentiality, professional image, boundaries, and the courage to act when a colleague makes a mistake online. This lesson works through detailed scenarios covering posts about placements, patient photographs, and colleague behaviour.

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Principles to Apply

Before working through the scenarios, review these principles:

1. The same professional standards apply online as offline — The GMC does not distinguish between the two
2. Social media posts are permanent and public — Even deleted posts may have been captured
3. Patient confidentiality applies in all contexts — Including social media, WhatsApp groups, and private messages
4. You have a duty to act when you see a colleague breach professional standards online
5. Proportionality still applies — Not every social media misjudgement requires formal reporting

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Scenario 1: A Colleague Posts a Photograph from a Clinical Setting

The Situation