Do Not Share CT or MRI image on social media: Says NMC’s New Rule.
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Do Not share CT/MRI Images on social Media says NMC.
Sharing images of CT or MRI scans within the medical community can be a powerful tool for enhancing patient care and collaboration among doctors. These detailed images provide invaluable insights into complex medical conditions, enabling doctors to gain a deeper understanding of their patients’ health. By exchanging CT scan images on platforms like social media, medical professionals can engage in discussions, seek second opinions, and share their expertise, regardless of geographical limitations. This practice fosters a sense of collective knowledge-sharing, ultimately leading to more accurate diagnoses, well-informed treatment plans, and improved patient outcomes. Moreover, the visual nature of CT scan images simplifies the communication of complex medical concepts, making it easier for doctors to exchange ideas and learn from one another. In this digital age, leveraging the potential of sharing CT scan images on social media is an innovative approach that harnesses technology to elevate the standard of medical care and create a tightly-knit community of medical professionals working collaboratively towards better healthcare solutions.
It has been a routine practice for doctors particularly radiologists to share images such a CT images or MRI images in groups followed by discussion and that would be seen as sharing knowledge. This process has been particularly useful for junior radiologists as they get to see imaging studies from various sources. It was particularly important for doctors working in semiurban areas where MRI facilities are not available. They get to be in touch with MRI by way of images they receive on WhatsApp and Facebook etc.
Now National Medical commission has come with shocking guidelines that prohibits sharing of images such as CT images or MRI images on social media. The relevant rule of the draft resolution reads as below
RMPs should not post patients’ photographs or scan images (ct/pet scans) on social media. Once an image is posted in social media, it becomes data that is owned by the social media company or the general public.
The rule has caused significant concern amongst RMPs particularly radiologists who feel that sharing of images is an essential part of their practice. According to them prohibiting sharing of images would cause significant amount of loss of knowledge to young radiologists particularly those who are working in rural or semiurban areas. The feeling of radiologists is that if the identity of the patient is not revealed then its not going to cause any harm to anyone. Moreover there are instances where powerpoint presentations are made which contains significant number of radiology images and these presentations are done in various conferences and eventually they are also uploaded on internet for others to understand complex radiology cases. Moreover, there are many Facebook groups comprising of radiologists around the world who share CT/MRI images of rare cases they come across their radiology practice.
When we spoke to one of the radiologists, he said that NMC’s rule is unjustified because if you pick up any radiology journal there are images of CT scan and MRI those journals also are available online and consequently all those images are available online. Is NMC going to prohibit publications of radiology journals also? Asked the young radiologist. According to him it is perfectly ethical to share images for dissemination of knowledge among radiologists however the identity of the patients must not be shared.
Read The Complete NMC Draft Resolution Click Here