University staff and nursing students have been targeted over the controversial use of prosthetic facemasks during training.
Robert Gordon University has complained to the Scottish Government over the issue.
It comes after senior NHS staff in Scotland used social media to apparently criticise the use of the masks.
Separate claims have been made that students were “harassed” online over their support of the training method with lecturers also receiving hostile messages, it is understood.
Each mask is worn by a lecturer during student roleplay to portray a different character with complex health needs.
While students say they are a valuable learning tool, their use was condemned by some as being insulting to mental health patients.
Robert Gordon University was forced to drop the use of the disguises following a furious social media backlash with a review now underway.
Ian Murray, head of the school of nursing and midwifery, has complained to the Scottish Government over some of the comments made by health professionals on-line.
Mr Murray said: “I am disappointed that some senior members working in the NHS across Scotland have chosen to comment on social media and not taken the time to contact the university to find out more about what we were doing.”
Lecturers and students have been left upset by the hostile social media reaction.
Mr Murray’s concerns have been raised with Fiona McQueen, interim chief nursing officer, who advises the Scottish Government on issues facing the profession.
Ms McQueen has also been informed about the treatment of some students.
Ms McQueen posted on social media: “Saddened to learn undergraduates of RGU being harassed re use of masks.”
Masks have been used at RGU for the past year with both mental health and adult nursing students using them as part of their course.
Each character will have a condition, such as dementia or alcoholism with the masks, which were bought from the United States, having details such as stubble, tatoos, scarring and deep wrinkles.
However, some claimed the masks were like “something out a horror film” and helped to further stigmatise mental health patients.
A spokesman for the Scottish Goverment confirmed concerns over the social media row had been received.
He said: “Scottish government officials have been in dialogue with Robert Gordon University over this issue.”
