Black Humor Case 01
You see a series of tweets between doctors using medical slang:
The ICU with many people in comas described as a cabbage patch
The labor and delivery suites as birthing sheds
Discussion
Is black humor appropriate on social media channels?
Is it appropriate on private channels?
How would you handle this?
Case 02a
You have been having a spirited conversation on Twitter with a number of people. One of them is a medical student.
You receive a direct message from the student that though not clearly inappropriate makes you feels uncomfortable due to a flirty/sexual tone.
Case 02b
You have been having spirited conversations on Twitter with a number of people. You are building a network of mentors across specialties, ages and regions.
You receive a direct message from one of these mentors and suggests you come and do an away rotation at his hospital. He offers to pay for your flight and help you find a place to stay.
How do you handle this?
When do you ignore? block? mute?
Do you remind them to be professional?
Case 03
You wrote about your political views. You defended trans rights to use the bathroom and you are attacked. First a few tweets come in, then dozens and then 100s of tweets. What do you do?
Resources
Social media, black humour and professionals...
Derogatory and cynical humour in clinical teaching and the workplace: The need for professionalism. Article in Medical Education 43(1):7-9 · January 2009
Simply put, derogatory and cynical humour as displayed by medical personnel are forms of verbal abuse, disrespect and the dehumanisation of their patients and themselves. Those individuals who are the most vulnerable and powerless in the clinical environment – students, patients and patients’ families – have become the targets of the abuse. Such humour is indefensible, whether the target is within hearing range or not; it cannot be justified as a socially acceptable release valve or as a coping mechanism for stress and exhaustion.
How to get the most out of Twitter's mute feature from Wired Magazine
Great essay from @McSassyMD on her experience on Twitter:
Using twitter to counter sexism in the real world #ILookLikeASurgeon (Huffington Post coverage)
Unpopular suggestion on how to respond to sexual harassment in medicine: