This document discusses the use of social media among midwives. It provides definitions of social media and lists some popular platforms. It notes that social media is widely used by mothers to find information and support about childbirth. Midwives also use social media to share experiences, information, and connect with colleagues. While the NMC provides guidance about maintaining confidentiality online, a survey found that social media can be useful for communication, reflection on practice, and midwifery education. Both benefits and risks of online forums for students are discussed. The document argues that with confidentiality, social media offers valuable educational opportunities that institutions should embrace rather than avoid.

1. Linda Wylie Lecturer
University of the West of Scotland

2. What is social media?
“use of web-based and mobile technologies to turn
communication into interactive dialogue”
Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_media
http://www.flickr.com/photos/73532212@N00/2945559128

3. Social Media
 Facebook
 Twitter
 On line forums
 Blogging
 Virtual Conferencing
 LinkedIn
 Pinterest

4. Social media in midwifery practice
Everybody using it!
Mothers
 Consult Dr Google
 Talk about childbirth
 Support each other
 Broadcast births
 Become activists

5. Midwives use it
 Share experiences – blogging
 Share information – Twitter
 Connect with each other – VIDM
 Collate information - Pinterest

6. Examples
Virginia v OBEM
Choose your midwife, choose your birth
Free Agnes Gereb
#VIDM
teenmums Lourdes
@e-midwife https://twitter.com/Lola_emidwife
Birthrights

7. NMC guidance
The Code – ‘must uphold the reputation of the
profession at all times’.
Do not discuss work-related issues online, including
conversations about patients or complaints about
colleagues. Even when anonymised, these are likely to be
inappropriate.
Conduct on line, and conduct in the real world, should
be judged in the same way.

8. Survey Monkey
94 responses
 100% use Facebook
 25% for personal and professional use
 76% useful resource for communicating with
colleagues
 39% useful to reflect on practice
 67% useful for midwifery education

9. Responses
 ‘’…there is a 'fear' about what we can and cannot say on the
sites. However my classmates and I have a private page,
whereby only personally invited people can view our chats.
Very useful in my opinion.”
 “As long as confidentiality is always borne in mind, social
networking sites can be easily accessible, instantaneous
sources of education, support and reflection.”
 “I think the use of social network sites should be
considered carefully in any professional capacity as it is so
easy to put something that may cause conflict, offend or
possibly even break confidentiality”

10. UWSMidwifery
 Image of Facebook page removed – open page for
anyone interested in doing midwifery at UWS

11. Online forums

12. Benefits
 Harness interaction and educational opportunities
 Increase support when on placement
 Reduce attrition
 Encourage networking with fellow professionals

13. Risks
 Reported breaches of confidentiality
 Students are the least experienced professionally.
 Lack of understanding about privacy settings (Jones
2012)
 Lecturers time

14. Missed opportunity!!
What does it mean to uphold the reputation of the
profession at all times?
If confidentiality issues are upheld, interaction via social
media, or real life, can lead to invaluable educational
opportunities.
Increasing use of social media for professional
discussion.
Need to embrace social media – not hide from it.

15. Reference
 Jones C 2012 Social networking in the health
professions. Essentially MIDIRS (3)7; 32-36