Your patients are talking about you online. Social media is the platform where you can listen to them. If used intelligently, it can be a powerful business tool for physicians. But there is a catch! You need to be very cautious to maintain patient privacy and confidentiality.
The last decade in the history of Internet can be well-defined as a revolution that brought forth social media platforms. If we talk about healthcare, social media has transformed the dynamics of the doctor-patient relationship and has put tech-savvy patients in the driver’s seat. They are now empowered with Internet and social media and do their homework before making health decisions.
An increasing number of physicians have embraced this digital change and use social media to communicate with patients. However, the proliferation of social media by physicians combined with the ease of finding information online can be a cause for concern. It can blur the line between personal and professional online presence for physicians and make it difficult for them to maintain an “appropriate” online image.
Social media guidelines for physicians
As the foundation of healthcare is integrity, a professional approach is imperative to maintain confidentiality, honesty and trust in the medical profession. The American Medical Association has established social media policy guidelines which report that social networking can enhance camaraderie among healthcare professionals, provide physicians with the opportunity to have a professional presence online as well as present an unbeatable opportunity to “widely disseminate public health messages.” But while embracing it, physicians must keep in mind to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of patient information. They should always be mindful that their online interactions should not be at the cost of their professional commitments.