Vignette: 29: A Blog Attack

Psychologist Dr. Shermer learns from a colleague that she has been described in very unfavorable terms in a blog posted by an individual who publicly identifies herself as a patient of Dr. Shermer.

Dr. Shermer reviews the blog information.  The author is likely not a current patient.

The blogger insults Dr. Shermer’s appearance, her style of dress, and her office.  In essence, the blogger combines factual and inaccurate information into a well-formed, yet highly erroneous, description about Dr. Shermer’s role in the community and in the legal system.

There are many descriptions of Dr. Shermer that are blatantly false or misleading. Some of the falsehoods on the blog would be serious violations of the Ethics Code.

Upon reviewing the charts of several possible candidates as the offensive blogger, Dr. Shermer believes the blogger to be someone she evaluated in the past for a national security position.  The likely blogger can be emotionally labile and frequently feels a victim of “the system.” Dr. Shermer indicated a number of pathological characteristics in the report.  Dr. Shermer does not make the determination for the security clearance, but serves as a consultant for the government agency.

Dr. Shermer has a presence on social media and fears how her online reputation may be adversely affected by these ongoing blog posts.  She also fears that if she draws too much attention to the blog, then the blogger will gain greater traction.

Dr. Shermer fears the risk that the information could go to a licensing board and result in an investigation.  Although completely unwarranted, an investigation would add unnecessary stress in her life.  There is also a risk that her reputation could be ruined if the former client’s blog posts gain a larger following.

The psychologist wonders how she can take proactive action.

Dr. Shermer considers hiring an attorney.

Dr. Shermer also considers hiring an online reputation management company.

Dr. Shermer calls you for a consultation.  What are some recommendations that you would make to Dr. Shermer?

How would you feel if you were Dr. Shermer?

Stressed physicians reluctant to seek support

They cite lack of time and fear of hurting their careers as reasons to avoid employee-assistance programs.

By KEVIN B. O'REILLY, amednews staff

Nearly 80% of physicians at an academic medical center said they experienced a personal crisis within the past year, yet most said they would not seek support from physician-health services or employee-assistance programs.

The 108 surgeons, anesthesiologists and emergency physicians surveyed said they experienced a wide range of stressful events, such as serious illnesses or deaths in their families and severe adverse events in their patients. But most they said they were unlikely to turn to institutional sources of support, with 40% saying they would be willing to consult physician-health services and 29% open to using employee-assistance programs. About a third of the doctors had never even heard of these services, said an Archives of Surgery study published in March.

The reason offered most frequently for not getting help was lack of time, with 90% of the physicians surveyed at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston citing it. About 70% feared a lack of confidentiality, negative impact on their careers or the stigma of mental illness. Nearly half feared legal consequences or thought “using services means I am weak.”

The entire story is here.

The original abstract is here.