Volunteer corps aims to improve training for clinicians in developing countries.

patient record, the position paper recommends. However, exceptions may arise. A common situation physicians encounter is having an acquaintance or another person they have never examined seeking medical advice from them online. David Fleming, MD, MA, chair of ACP’s Ethics, Professionalism, and Human Rights Committee, said during the briefing that physicians should be cautious and respectful of the patient’s needs in their response and help direct patients to an appropriate source of care, which may include suggesting they make an appointment. He noted, though, that if “it is a crisis intervention, we are obligated to take action.” If an established patient contacts a physician online outside a previously established communication route, Chaudhry suggested “it’s a great opportunity to have a conversation with the patient about why they want to interact with you online.” Confidential communication should be handled only through secure channels. Fleming noted that nonsecure emails or other electronic communications may be viewed by persons other than the patient. Physicians are also urged to actively manage their online reputations, by periodically checking what types of information come up in a search for their name and creating a profile page that will likely be the first item to come up in such a search. Fleming noted that online searches may be the first contact patients have with a physician, and sometimes the information they find may be inaccurate or unflattering. Finally, the paper recommends that physicians be aware their online behavior may have lasting effects on their career. “A comment you have not thought through can take on a life of its own,” Chaudhry said. “Be careful what you post.”