Violating Medical Ethics, IDI Reminds Influencer Doctors Not to Promote Products

"Violating Medical Ethics, IDI Reminds Influencer Doctors Not to Promote Products"

Dream - Social media is quite effective to be used by doctors to provide education about health. The public can easily obtain credible information from doctors directly.

The use of social media is also utilized as advertising for various products by doctors who have many followers, or commonly known as doctor influencers.

Usually doctors work together with brands to promote certain products. Apparently, this is not allowed in medical ethics. The Ethics Council of Doctors (MKEK) of the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) reminds that there are things that a doctor should not do on social media. One of them is promoting products.

"Ethics develop in accordance with human civilization, so if in the past an action was considered inappropriate, it could now be considered appropriate. Just like in the World Medical Association (WMA), doctors are allowed to promote, as long as what is conveyed is factual and accurate," said the Chairman of MKEK IDI, Dr. Djoko Widyarto, MH. Kes, after the ethics seminar "Dilemma of Medical Therapy with a Service-Based Research Approach" in Jakarta, some time ago.

"\u201cWell, we haven't (can't promote), we're still taboo. Let's see how it develops. This is an example that ethics are not always silent, but evolving," said Dr. Djoko."

According to Djoko, the medical code of ethics in Indonesia is indeed different from the code of ethics in America. "Indeed, in America itself, ethical opinions are different from ours. If our code of ethics is fixed, they have what is called opinions, there are things that are not yet regulated in it (the code of ethics), so they make opinions like a living document that is continuously updated," he said.

"Indonesian doctors are not allowed to advertise"

Djoko reminds influencer doctors who like to promote products on social media, such as beauty products, that this is not allowed. The prohibition is stated in the ethical code for doctors in using social media.

"Many people are not aware that it is not allowed, MKEK itself has issued two fatwas regarding it. Advertising is still possible internationally. We (in Indonesia) are still not allowed," said Dr. Djoko. According to ethical rules, doctors are not allowed to advertise, especially if the advertisement is related to claims of healing, beauty, and fitness."

"Public Service Advertisements are Allowed"

"In the regulations, doctors in Indonesia are still allowed to be involved in public service advertisements (ILM). Public service advertisements do not promote products but promote healthy lifestyle behavior change. 'If public service advertisements are allowed for doctors who change the healthy lifestyle behavior of the community,' said Djoko."

"If public service advertisements are allowed for doctors who change the healthy lifestyle of the community," he said.

The following is the translation of the given 'Bahasa' text to 'English' while preserving any html tags: "Doctors who use social media are also required to maintain the confidentiality of patient health information, as well as differentiate between their personal accounts and those used for public purposes. "We have already warned that accounts used for social media should be separated from public ones, and not combined. Doctors are also obligated to keep patient health information confidential," said Djoko firmly.

"Violation of Medical Ethics Can Be Reported to IDI"

According to Djoko, if there is a doctor who violates the provisions of the medical code of ethics, it can be reported to the Indonesian Medical Association (IDI). This report can be made by ordinary people who find a doctor promoting products claiming healing, beauty, and fitness without removing their title as a doctor on social media.

"To report, it can be done by bringing along any available evidence. This has been regulated in the ethical code of doctors in social media as stated in the Decree Number 029/PB/K/MKEK/04/2021 dated April 30, 2021. This step is taken by IDI to maintain the integrity of the medical profession and prevent unethical practices in promoting products on social media. Source: Liputan6.com"

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