Social Networks and Medical Doctors

Social Networks and Medical Doctors and Students: a review of the main recommendations on using them Mayer M.A. 1,2 , Leis A. 1 , Mayer A. 3 1 Web Mèdica Acreditada, Medical Association of Barcelona, 2 Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 3 Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona eHealth 2011 4th ICST International Conference on eHealth 21-23 November, Málaga (SPAIN)

Have Medical Doctors to think about “how to say and what to say it” in social networks? Are there guidelines on how to use social networks? 4th ICST International Conference on eHealth 21-23 November, Málaga

OBJECTIVES
To review the main recommendations on using social networks by medical doctors and students
To propose a useful guidance for professionals
4th ICST International Conference on eHealth 21-23 November, Málaga

METHOD
Search strategy : queries and their combination used in Google: “guidelines OR recommendations”, “social media”, “social networks OR networking”, “medical profession OR practice”, “ethical guidelines”
First 30 results were analysed for each query
Sixteen guidelines were selected based on their relevance
Content analysis was made: comparing statements to find agreements and differences

Main Results
Several institutions laid down guidelines
30% were addressed to both medical doctors and students but 75% to employees of a specific company
Different levels of participation restrictions in social networks are expressed

Recommedations reviewed
Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine
American Medical Association Policy in the use of Social Media
Australian Medical Association Council and the New Zealand Medical Association
British Medical Association: Using social media
Cleveland Clinic: Social Media Policy
Health Science Centre Guidelines for appropriate use of Internet and social media
Iowa Hospital Association: Comment Policy
Kaiser Permanente: Social Medica Policy
Mayo Clinic: Comment Policy Blogs
Ohio State Medical Association
Política de Redes sociales del Hospital Sant Joan de Déu
Roche Social Media Principles
Sentara: Social Media Policy
Sutter Health: Policy for Social Networking
Vertex Pharmaceuticals: Twitter Guidelines
Wisconsin Department of Health Services Social Media Guidelines

General Recommendations
Profile conservative privacy settings in social networks tools and platforms but be aware that not all information can be protected on the Web and how easily accessible it is

Remember that what is online is probably long-lasting so be careful about what you say and how you say it

Medical doctors shouldn’t be friends with everyone in social networks and it is wise not to become an electronic friend of a current or former patient in any electronic media (in any case consider clearly separating personal and professional content online)

Medical doctors shouldn’t be friends with everyone in social networks and it is wise not to become an electronic friend of a current or former patient in any electronic media (in any case consider clearly separating personal and professional content online)
If you have identified yourself as a medical doctor, in particular, any statement must reflect good standards of conduct and professional behavior

Follow the guidelines of your health organization or company on using social networks and if they are not established yet consider seriously suggesting its implementation

Any form of inappropriate online behavior can potentially harm doctor-patient and/or doctor-colleague relationships, be careful with comments made about colleagues and even health departments

Maintain standards of patient privacy and confidentiality and you must be sure that any patient or situation cannot be identified by the combination or sum of information posted online

Maintain standards of patient privacy and confidentiality and you must be sure that any patient or situation cannot be identified by the combination or sum of information posted online
Respect information and content copyrights

Clarify when you are speaking on behalf of your company or institution , if it is not the case, clearly state that you are making personal remarks and conflict of interests should be declared

Clarify when you are speaking on behalf of your company or institution, if it is not the case, clearly state that you are making personal remarks and conflict of interests should be declared
It is not recommended that you give any kind of personal medical advice in social networks

CONCLUSIONS
There is a consensus about the key role that medical doctors have in social networks
Potential negative and positive consequences (professional, personal and in medical profession) are considered depending on their behaviour in these environments
A Decalogue of good practices was proposed

Miguel A. Mayer [email_address] @mmayerp Blog: http://health-information-technologies.blogspot.com Web Mèdica Acreditada: http://wma.comb.es

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Social Networks and Medical Doctors

by Web Mèdica Acreditada on Oct 11, 2011

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Social Networks and Medical Doctors — Presentation Transcript