Social media and Healthcare Professionals

Описание: Social media and Healthcare Professionals

Social media is designed to connect people. Different people use social media in different ways and we’re constantly fed mixed messages about using social media. Some use it solely in a professional capacity while others use it personally, and many use a mix of the two.

Awareness of social media and its use in healthcare has become more established in recent years. Easy access and availability of communication tools have enabled more efficient communication of doctors within and outside of their practice. While this has created more opportunities for collaboration, it is not without its challenges. Social media has made it more difficult for physicians to maintain a clear boundary line between their professional and personal lives. Healthcare workers have been disciplined for inappropriate online postings. This video discusses the use of social media by healthcare professionals.

The use of social media by the medical profession is common and growing. It has changed the way we can communicate with each other and the wider community. We can now share information, create content, have meaningful social interactions, and collaborate in real-time for professional and personal benefits. However, social media has the potential to blur the boundaries between private and professional.

There can be immense professional benefits by having an active presence through the proper use of social media, but inappropriate online behaviour has the potential to undermine professional integrity, doctor-patient and doctor-colleague relationships, future employment opportunities, and public trust and confidence in the medical profession.

Doctors have a responsibility to ensure that their use of social media is consistent with their ethical and legal obligations to protect patient confidentiality. It is important to remember that breaches of patient confidentiality online can have far wider implications because of the reach of social media and permanency of digital information

Maintaining patient confidentiality upholds the public’s trust in the medical profession and maintains our ability to treat patients effectively. Breaching confidentiality can result in complaints to your employer or medical registration authority

Be aware that any material posted online, even anonymously can be traced to the original author.
Exercise sound judgement when posting online and avoid making gratuitous or unsubstantiated
comments about individuals or organisations. This could be viewed as a breach of your professional obligations under the regulatory authority and be subject to allegations of bullying.

Professional codes of conduct specify that doctors should not engage in behaviours that can harm the reputation of colleagues or the profession. Defamation is the communication or publication of false information about a person or certain organisations that damages their reputation. Material posted online by individuals or organisations that are false, untrue, misleading or deceptive can have significant legal and financial consequences.

If you are posting as a healthcare professional, my advice is to avoid posting anonymously and to use your own name. Closed groups can be useful in bringing together people with a common interest and can create a sense of community. Respect patient privacy and follow HIPAA rules and guidelines, as well as other state and federal regulations governing your profession. Don’t engage in an online battle. Don’t cross professional boundaries. Don’t post material that infringes on the rights of any third party