From Twitter to LinkedIn, every single one of us use social media every day. While using social media is not an obligation (obviously), imagine how you would be surprised by someone who has no social media account. Our posts on social media are meant to be there forever, carefully protected from deletion by Terms and Conditions of the social media site we used. Once you shared a post, it takes its place in the digital world as our footprint. “Who cares?”, you might ask. Well, the answer is EVERYBODY. Employers routinely check social media accounts of the individuals to grasp an opportunity to “reveal” their identities and and use this data in recruitment processes. Advertising companies are using our “share/like” data to select “suitable” ad contents for us. States constantly monitor the soical media contents of their citizens.
In one sense, social media profiles are like the diaries of the past. However, there is a fundamental difference: While diaries are meant to be a confidante of the individual, social media “diaries” are notoriously verbose speakers ready to ruin us.
Statements
American Medical Association’s (AMA) “Professionalism in the Use of Social Media” webpage emphasizes some basic (yet vital) rules. They can be summarized as follows:
- Physicians should be aware of patient privacy standards at all times, and must refrain from posting identifiable patient information online.
- When using social media for educational purposes or to exchange information professionally with other physicians, follow ethics guidance regarding confidentiality, privacy and informed consent.
- Physicians should use privacy settings to safeguard personal information and content to the extent possible, but should realize that once on the internet, content is likely there permanently. Thus, physicians should routinely monitor their own internet presence to ensure that the personal and professional information about them is accurate and appropriate.
- If physicians interact with patients on the internet, they must maintain appropriate boundaries of the patient-physician relationship.
- Physicians should consider separating personal and professional content online.
- When physicians see content posted by colleagues that appears unprofessional they have a responsibility to advise against it. If the behavior significantly violates professional norms and the individual does not take appropriate action to resolve the situation, the physician should report the matter to appropriate authorities.
- Physicians must recognize that actions online and content posted may negatively affect their reputations among patients and colleagues, may have consequences for their medical careers (particularly for physicians-in-training and medical students) and can undermine public trust in the medical profession.
World Medical Association (WMA) issued a statement on the professional and ethical use of social media in 2011 which has some additions to the rules mentioned above:
- Physicians should study carefully and understand the privacy provisions of social networking sites, bearing in mind their limitations.
- Physicians should consider the intended audience and assess whether it is technically feasible to restrict access to the content to pre-defined individuals or groups.
- Physicians should adopt a conservative approach when disclosing personal information as patients can access the profile. The professional boundaries that should exist between the physician and the patient can thereby be blurred. Physicians should acknowledge the potential associated risks of social media and accept them, and carefully select the recipients and privacy settings.
- Physicians should provide factual and concise information, declare any conflicts of interest and adopt a sober tone when discussing professional matters.
- Physicians should draw the attention of medical students and physicians to the fact that online posting may contribute also to the public perception of the profession.
- Physicians should consider the inclusion of educational programs with relevant case studies and appropriate guidelines in medical curricula and continuing medical education.
British Medical Association’s (BMA) “Ethics of Social Media Use” page has detailed information on both benefits and risks of social media. Its “Social Media, Ethics and Professionalism Guidance” emphasizes the arguably most important reminder: “You are still a doctor or medical student on social media”. Touché!
Tips from Experts
The rules and codes are of course very important in theory. However, experts in this field will know best how to apply them in practice. For this article, we asked the leading names of the #FOAMed World the following question: “What is your FIRST RULE while using social media?”
Hello #FOAMed world! Care to help me with my blog post? Here is the Q:
What is your FIRST RULE while using social media? (In terms of social media ethics for medical professionals)
Eagerly waiting your answers! Please RT to spread the word. Thanks! @iem_student— İbrahim Sarbay (@ibrahimsarbay) March 23, 2021
Here are their answers:
Skin in The Game
“If you haven’t somehow got skin in the game, your opinion is probably worthless and/or unwanted.”
– Karim Brohi [*]
Stick to the Science
“Dr. Sapna Kudchadkar’s basic Twitter rules applies to all social media.
Always remember “a tweet is forever” it does not disappear.
Stick to the science and be collegial are my rules.”
-Yonca Bulut [*]
Dr. Sapna Kudchadkar’s Basic Twitter Rules
“Don’t ever give specific medical advice or try to diagnose online.
Don’t write about actual patients or cases.
Don’t ever sacrifice collegiality due to a difference of opinion.
Don’t forget to cite the source.
Don’t tweet slides of unpublished data.”
-Dr. Sapna Kudchadkar
No regrets!
“I never post anything I might regret in the future.”
-Shanta W. [*]
Vice Versa
“Don’t just try to project the best version of yourself on social media. Try to become more like the better version of yourself that you want to project on social media.”
-Elias Jaffa [*]
THINK
“One word: THINK. T: Is it true? H: Is it helpful? I: Is it inspiring? N: Is it necessary? K: Is it kind?”
-Manrique Umana McDermott [*]
Know the Rules
“So many important things to consider….one of the bigger ones is know your institution’s rules and guidelines… Most have them—some are strict and some aren’t. But know the rules. Many institutions literally have someone assigned to watch social media output among employees.”
-Rob Rogers [*]
A Force for Good
“Be a force for good in the world. Don’t say anything you wouldnt say in front of my mother & chair.”
-Seth Trueger [*]
Once You Write…
“Every single letter is a long lasting prey of the web.”
-Nicolas Peschanski [*]
Not an Online Hospital
“1- Patient privacy rules are also valid here.
2- Social media is not an online hospital.
3- Social media is not a scientific journal.
4- Social media is not a suitable platform to debate with colleagues.”
-Fatih Beşer
Think Before You Speak
“The best tweets are the ones you don’t ever send. You should consider not sending the vast majority of tweets.”
-Bruce Lambert [*]
Conclusion
“What should I be known for?” A social media account that you have shaped around this simple question will undoubtedly lead to incredible opportunities. In any case, there is no escape from using social media.
By carefully reading and implementing the rules mentioned in this post, you can prevent social media from doing you more harm than good.
