Is it OK to google a patient?
Trust is crucial between healthcare organisations and their patients, who must be able to trust that those involved in their care will behave professionally.
With an estimated 83% of UK population using social media, members of your team may also be able to access patients’ personal information online, just as patients can access yours on an individual basis.
But it is ever ethical to 'google' a patient?
Regulatory guidance
There is no specific GMC guidance for doctors, nor from the regulators of other healthcare professionals, relating to searching patient information on-line. The GMC does, however, emphasise that patients must be able to trust that medical professionals involved in their care won't see them as a potential sexual partner, or as a target for abuse or harassment.
Even if none of these things are motivating an individual practitioner in your organisation to google a patient, a patient may still be concerned if they find that someone involved in their healthcare has been accessing information about them online. This could lead to a complaint and the staff member having to justify their actions to both their manager and their regulator.
Maintaining professional boundaries
It's important to maintain professional boundaries with patients when practising medicine. The GMC's updated guidance advises doctors against personal relationships or social engagements with their current patients.
The GMC guidance on social media also urges individual healthcare professionals to "maintain patient confidentiality and recognise and respect patients’ dignity and their right to privacy."
Other professionals involved in delivering healthcare have obligations to maintain similar standards.
Remember that people can see who has viewed their profile on some social media sites. On Instagram, users can see who has seen their story up to 48 hours after it’s been posted.
This also applies to photos or videos shared to their story on Facebook and to LinkedIn profiles, depending on a user's settings..
Fictional scenarios
Accessing a patient's LinkedIn without permission
An MDU member contacted us for advice about a patient who 'd made a complaint. The member had seen a patient about a relatively simple condition., but communication had been challenging.
The member felt intimidated by the patient who mentioned several times they had successfully sued for mistakes in their care. The patient said they were a lawyer and would have no hesitation in raising concerns if they felt their care was inadequate. The member was understandably concerned and checked with their supervisor that the care they’d provided was appropriate.
Later that day, the member searched for the patient on LinkedIn and identified them from a photo and their name. The profile showed they were a trainee solicitor, rather than a qualified lawyer.
A few days later the practice received a complaint from the patient who had noticed that the member had been looking at their profile. The patient said they felt violated by this and that the member had abused their position and over-stepped boundaries.
Outcome and reflection
The member apologised to the patient for the intrusion on their privacy. They admitted they didn't have a clinical reason for looking at the profile, and it was just out of curiosity. They explained they had felt somewhat intimidated by the comments the patient had made and this had led them to search for the patient’s LinkedIn profile.
The member reflected on the incident, accepting they didn't have a reason to access the patient's profile, even though it was public. The member also acknowledged they were only aware of the patient due to having treated the patient. Nothing more was heard from the patient about the complaint after the organisation’s overall response.
Concern about a fundraising page
A member contacted the MDU for advice about a patient who had created a fundraising webpage for their family, claiming a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. The patient was under the clinician’s care for depression and anxiety and hadn't been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer according to records. The member wanted to know whether it was appropriate to search for the patient's fundraising page to see whether it was accurate. (They were concerned the patient was being dishonest and implications of any misrepresentation. )
Advice and outcome
The MDU adviser explained that while there was no specific guidance prohibiting searching for information about patients online, it was important to consider how patients might feel about this and whether it could jeopardise the trust between clinicians and patients. The member would need to be able to justify any decision to search for and view the information. They'd also need to consider what they would then do with that information.
The member decided that there was no justification to search for the page for further details. Instead, they arranged an appointment to discuss what they had been told and give the patient an opportunity to explain. The member could then follow up on any concerns with the full picture.
As an MDU Connect policy holder, you and your team have access to expert medico-legal and dento-legal guidance and support.
We encourage you to address issues early to pre-empt problems, so contact us for specific advice or explore our resources.
This page was correct at publication on 1st August 2025. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.
Risk advisory partner
Sarah Jarvis
Risk advisory partner
Oliver Lord
Risk advisory partner
John Dale Skinner
Risk advisory partner
Kathryn Leask
Risk advisory partner
Jerard Ross
Risk advisory partner
Ed Farnan
Risk advisory partner – dental
Leo Briggs
Risk advisory partner – dental
Sarah Ide