HKU med school probes intern misconduct allegations

The University of Hong Kong medical school said it is launching a formal investigation into an intern doctor following multiple allegations of professional misconduct, including the unauthorised use of medical equipment and potential breaches of patient confidentiality. In a statement, the school said it was highly concerned over the incidents and said it would follow its established procedures to take appropriate action. “If, upon completion of the investigation, it is found that the intern’s fitness to practise is not up to standard, the most serious outcome — termination of the internship — will be recommended to the Hospital Authority’s Central Internship Committee,” the school said. The school emphasised its “zero-tolerance” policy towards any misconduct, underscoring that it strictly requires students to adhere to professional ethics to safeguard patient rights and public safety. The school said it has also sent an email to all clinical undergraduate students and intern doctors, reminding them of the critical importance of professional conduct and their social responsibility as future healthcare providers. On Wednesday, the Hospital Authority filed a report to the police over suspicions the intern doctor used someone else's login credentials to browse patients records with permission. The trainee doctor also allegedly took an unauthorised X-ray of her own knee and posted it on social media. Edited by Tony Sabine