Reflections on social media need to be considered not just in one direction

It was interesting to read this BMJ Blog about social media and academia which rightly states that “to treat abuse lightly is to normalise it” [2]. This Blog also makes clear that academics and doctors should “engage with the public on their terms, valuing their experience” and be able to “reassure” the public of the independence of scientific research and medical education.

I worked as an NHS doctor for over 25 years and have always been of the view that openly asking questions of prevailing approaches is vital to science. If barriers come in the way of such approaches then learning will be limited and harm will result. This is why this BMJ Blog is so important but also why the reflections it makes on social media need to be considered not just in one direction but in all directions.

My understanding is that the GMC regularly have concerns raised with them about professionals’ use of social media though I am not sure what research has been done on this subject. As a retired doctor it is my view that if the medical profession [including academia] wishes to aspire to being the paradigm of professionalism, and to assume the position of power that comes with this role, then the medical profession and its representatives must be willing to be held publicly accountable when they are perceived to depart from the values they collectively espouse. This should apply to professionals’ use of social media.

This aspect was less clearly spelled out in the BMJ Blog and I am grateful to have the opportunity to raise it even though I have not found it easy to articulate this given my shared concern of contributing to unhelpful social media discourse.

Dr Peter J Gordon [retired NHS doctor]
Bridge of Allan.

References:
[1] Editorial: Welcome to BMJ Opinion: BMJ 2017; 356 (Published 07 February 2017)
[2] Academics and social media hostility: should we give up or do more? August 23, 2021