Student doc mocked patient's sex life, shared surgery pics

A Chinese medicine student allegedly shared his mainland patient's sex life with his friends on WeChat app in breach of professional ethics and patients' trust.

The Hong Kong Baptist University year six student called "Mike" was taking an internship at the Guangdong Province Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital in Guangzhou when he allegedly uploaded organs of patients undergoing surgery.

Sources told The Standard Mike took a photo of a female patient's gynecological medical records, which state her record of births, abortions and sex life, on WeChat Moments, a feature similar to Facebook's Timeline.

The 23-year-old student also said: "It's hard to imagine a 63-year-old woman having such a juicy [sex] life."

In another post on October 26, Mike showed pictures of another patient's uterus after it was surgically removed and a surgical monitor showing the patient's insides.

Mike told The Standard yesterday that he realized he was wrong to have acted the way he did and deleted the latest post within an hour of publishing.

"It was done on the spur of the moment and I wanted to my work for the day to be remembered. I admit it's wrong," he said.

In response to inquiries by The Standard, HKBU said its School of Chinese Medicine is "gravely concerned."

"[The school] confirmed that the student did not disclose any personal information such as the name of the patient, and that related social media posts were deleted. The school has promptly expressed its serious admonition and warning to the student," it said.

It added that the school will follow up the incident seriously, and take necessary disciplinary actions according to the university's established procedures.

"It was clearly specified in SCM's undergraduate student practicum manual that students must observe good moral standards and medical ethics. They must respect patients' privacy, and should not disclose patients' privacy including medical histories and conditions without proper authorization," HKBU said.

"Every year before practicum commences, SCM offers special training to students and reminds them to adhere to the practicum guidelines strictly. SCM will review its existing guidelines, and step up relevant training for students."

Mike said the medical record posted by him was a case being discussed by all doctors and interns in the gynecology department just like with textbook cases.

Although he has submitted a letter of self-criticism to the university and promised he will never make the same mistake again, the incident will affect his graduation next year and his career in the future, Mike said.

"I admit that I have violated the rules, but I did not reveal any information that allows others to find my patients' identities, including their names, case numbers and phone numbers," he said.

"I'm sorry that the photos of the surgery might have offended some people, but I did not disclose any other information about the patients.

"My tutor at the university has contacted me. I'm in a difficult place right now."

A patient who has been regularly visiting the Chinese medicine clinic at HKBU in the past year said Mike's behavior was "disgusting and unacceptable."

He added: "As a patient visiting the HKBU Chinese medicine clinic, I provided my private information to doctors because I trust their professionalism and work ethic.

"If a doctor posts my medical records or surgical photos on social media while making comments, I will feel offended regardless of whether he leaked my name and other personal information or not."

The patient said his trust and confidence in the university's clinic will be damaged if the university does not take serious action against the student.

"How can I trust that the professional ethics of the doctors in the Chinese medicine clinic are up to standard if the student in the university is not punished for such bad behavior?" he said.

"The university will also be operating Hong Kong's first Chinese medicine hospital in the future. How can I trust doctors educated by the university anymore?"

Baptist University has won the tender to operate the SAR's first Chinese medicine hospital, a 400-bed facility that will be in Tseung Kwan O.

The hospital in Pak Shing Kok will begin operation in phases from mid-2025 and it is expected to serve between 1,000 and 1,200 patients daily.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com