Younger doctors too friendly?

As in 'friend' him or her on Facebook, according to a report heard this morning on the BBC Worldwide, quoting from a report in the Lancet, young doctors are being trained for empathy which might compromise their being able to be objective. An oncology patient, waiting for a first appointment, was asked by Facebook if she wanted to 'friend' her doctor. All of which I've suspected and, in this category, would partially explain why examinations, which, under the old school, were formal and directive, have become the friendly, let's be comfortable, let's not have you undressed and feeling weird experience. If, as posted here, patients encounter their doctors in social settings, how much 'easier' for both that there was no nudity, no flashes of a patient with underwear at his ankles bending over an exam table while his doctor pulls on a glove.

I think it would be hard as a doctor to strike the perfect balance of empathy and being firm with each patient. I personally want my doctor to have a sense of humor and appear to have a genuine interest in my health and well being. I am sure some patients can be a real challenge that would require a different approach

All my neurosurgeons are on facebook and one is on Twitter. I've added a couple of them and it is kinda awkward but in a social setting its fine. The wife of one of them is friends with one of my friends so we kinda see a lot of each other. Talk about normal stuff but if he wants a vent about work and that he knows me well enough to vent and know what he says is under lock and key!!

Much too invasive for me. Friendly is one thing, but friends is another. As the OP mentioned, the dual relationship can adversely affect the professional relationship.

I dont mind my doctor being friends with me online or on a personal level. My doctor is really professional. I think if it helps him know more about me, then thats all good. I like having a doctor i feel comfortable talking to, rather then someone who I dont feel at ease with.

I think because I've been through so much at such a young age it's nice to have someone who understands. While she is a complete professional it doesn't stop her calling me floss or giving me a hug when we do see each other.

Whether the doc is younger or older, no thanks I wouldn't want them on my Facebook page as a friend. It is in my opinion a professional boundary that has been broken if this is the case. Do you really want them to know things about you and your friends from Facebook comments?

Would never cross boundaries in a real life medical setting, in play that is totally different.

It seems like a lot of doctors wouldn't want to have their patients as friends on Facebook, I don't use Facebook or any other social media sites but if I did and I was a doctor I wouldn't add a patient as a friend unless I knew them really well as a friend, me and husband live in a small ass tiny itty bitty town and sometimes we run into my doctor in the community and we talk when we see him

There are boundaries with social media. I do not think it is necessary or professionally appropriate for a doctor/patient relationship to extend beyond that of the confines of an office visit, a phone call or an e-mail. My doctor is not my Facebook friend, my coworker or my drinking buddy. She is a well educated and skilled consultant for my healthcare needs.

Those saying about FB, by law they can't but if you are no longer their patient they can. Nothing a doctor doesn't know that my true friends don't know!! Hell I work with my GP in a volunteer setting