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Online medical professionalism statement targets social media use
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According to a position paper by researchers from the American College of Physicians and the Federation of State Medical Boards, new technologies and practices have pulled patients and physicians into a web-based relationship. Although popular by nature, this form of communication should be conducted with the utmost professionalism.
“It is important for physicians to be aware of the implications for confidentiality and how the use of online media for non-clinical purposes impacts trust in the medical profession,” Humayun Chaudhry, DO, MS, FACP, co-author and president and CEO of the Federation of State Medical Boards, said in a press release.
Humayun Chaudhry
The paper examines and provides recommendations regarding the influence of social media on the patient-physician relationship. It also addresses the role of online media and public perception of physician behaviors and strategies for patient-physician communications that preserve confidentiality while best utilizing new technologies.
• Use of online media can bring significant educational benefits to patients and physicians, but may also pose ethical challenges. Maintaining trust in the profession and in patient–physician relationships requires that physicians consistently apply ethical principles for preserving the relationship, confidentiality, privacy and respect for persons to online settings and communications.
• The boundaries between professional and social spheres can blur online. Physicians should keep the two spheres separate and comport themselves professionally in both.
• E-mail or other electronic communications should only be used by physicians in an established patient–physician relationship and with patient consent. Documentation about patient care communications should be included in the patient’s medical record.
• Physicians should consider periodically “self-auditing” to assess the accuracy of information available about them on physician-ranking websites and other sources online.
• The reach of the Internet and online communications is far and often permanent. Physicians, trainees and medical students should be aware that online postings may have future implications for their professional lives. Educational programs stressing a proactive approach to digital image (online reputation) are good forums to introduce these potential repercussions.
• Situations in which a physician is approached through electronic means for clinical advice in the absence of a patient-physician relationship should be handled with judgment and usually should be addressed with encouragement that the individual schedule an office visit or, in the case of an urgent matter, go to the nearest emergency department.
“Digital media use for nonclinical purposes may affect societal perceptions of the profession, especially when questionable content is posted by physicians in their personal use of the web. Maintaining separate personal and professional identities in web postings may help to avoid blurring boundaries in interactions with patients and colleagues,” Jeanne M. Farnan, MD, MHPE, and colleagues wrote.
They conclude that the position statement will need to be updated per changes in the social networking landscape. The researchers suggest that physicians remain proactive in managing digital identities and be mindful of their privacy settings with social media.
Disclosure: See the study for a full list of disclosures.