Why does social media behaviour by doctors affect trans patients specifically?

Because trans people already face serious barriers getting healthcare, and when doctors publicly question or undermine trans identities online, it makes it harder to trust them in the consulting room. That erosion of trust is not abstract, it keeps people from seeking care they need. What has your experience been when looking for a GP you felt safe with?

What should the GMC guidance actually say about trans patients?

It should name trans patients explicitly and make clear that posting content that questions their identities or healthcare needs is not acceptable professional conduct. Vague language about respect does not cut it when the harm is this specific. Do you think your own doctor understands what that kind of online behaviour does to trust?

GMC social media guidance is failing trans patients

Substack 23 March 2026

GMC guidance on social media needs stronger trans protections

The GMC's updated guidance on doctors' use of social media falls short where it matters most: protecting trans patients from harmful behaviour by medical professionals online. Trans people already face significant barriers to healthcare, and when doctors use their platforms to undermine trust or spread misinformation about gender diversity, those barriers grow higher.

The General Medical Council's updated guidance on doctors' use of social media is welcome, but it falls short in one critical area: protecting trans patients from unsafe behaviour by medical professionals online.

Trans people already navigate significant barriers to healthcare. When doctors use social media in ways that undermine trust or visibility, it compounds an existing problem. The new guidance needs to explicitly address the specific vulnerabilities that trans patients face and set clear standards for respectful online conduct.

Read the full article to explore what the GMC's guidance must include to keep trans patients genuinely safe.

In response to: Doctors, Social Media, and Trans Patients: What the GMC's New Guidance Must Address (Substack)