Patient-targeted googling (PTG): an exploratory study of the perceptions of registered South African psychologists.

Abstract

Patient- Targeted Googling (PTG), which refers to the searching of client/patient information online with or without the client’s consent or knowledge, has been a topic of research and discussion internationally over the past decade. However, there has been little to no focus on the practice among South African psychologists. The aim of the present study was to address this gap by exploring how the digital age and the evolution of social media impacted on the way that South African psychologists navigated the boundaries of the professional relationship, specifically regarding PTG. This qualitative study explored the perceptions of registered South African Clinical and Counselling psychologists regarding the practice of Patient-Targeted Googling (PTG). It is the first known study to address this topic in South Africa. Seven psychologists were interviewed. The data were collected by using semi-structured interviews, which were then transcribed verbatim and analysed qualitatively using thematic analysis. The results of the analysis indicated that none of the psychologists who were interviewed had heard about PTG nor were they aware of emerging discussions around this topic. Notwithstanding, most of them (n=5) had engaged in some form of PTG or knew of colleague/s who had. The thematic analysis produced several themes including justifications for PTG and objections to the practice. These in turn were considered in relation to the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists. The study also found that none of the psychologists had received any formal training related to PTG and all were in favour of guidelines being included in ethics codes and/or the provision of professional and student psychologist training. The key findings were assimilated to make recommendations for the inclusion of PTG-related guidelines in both the South African professional psychology ethics code and in graduate and professional training. The limitations of the study are discussed, along with recommendations for future research.