Social media guidelines for healthcare professionals

As you know, social media is rapidly transforming in both the individual and corporate environment.

Organizations embrace the content value available through social media because the information is more accessible, up to date and easy to find.

This is no exception in the healthcare industry, and more and more healthcare professionals are utilizing social media in their personal and professional capacity on a regular basis.

Social media can be a powerful and effective tool for you as a healthcare professional, but you need to be vigilant of the potential risks when using any online platform.

Some tips to consider when using social media:

• Always maintain a high standard of professionalism and act diligently in monitoring your online reputation.
• Be wary of sharing any personal information.
• Health professionals must always obtain written consent from patients before publishing any personal information.
• Should you receive an inappropriate message via social media, ensure that you re-establish your professional boundaries and explain the reason for this.

In some cases, lines can be blurred between Practitioner and Patient on social media. Aspects that you should avoid sharing as a healthcare professional on social media include:

• Personal photographs or images not relevant to your field.
• Negative comments or comments perceived to be racist or sexist.

As illustrated above, there are industry regulations and social media guidelines which need to be adhered to in order to protect yourself, your practice and your patients.

When giving advice over social media, abide with the HPCSA Ethical guidelines of social media. Also ensure you abide by confidentiality and protecting personal information guidelines as well.

The HPCSA guides assist you in practically understanding your obligations when using social media.