This document discusses eProfessionalism and managing your digital identity as a medical professional in the age of social media. It provides guidelines for using email, social networks, texting, search engines, blogs, and protecting patient privacy online. The main principles are to exercise restraint when posting online, use privacy settings conservatively, avoid friending patients on social media, do not text with patients, protect your online identity, and consider how online searches of patients could impact treatment. The conclusion emphasizes maintaining separation between personal and professional online activities while upholding the therapeutic relationship framework.

1. eProfessionalismUnderstanding medical professionalism in the age of Facebook and Twitter

2. Disclosures Dr. Gorrindo has no conflict of interest to report as it relates to the current presentation.

3. Learning Objectives - Understand the basics of social networking and online media - Know the basic ways in which social media can influence the relationship - Feel empowered to manage your digital identity

4. The relationship Specific Media Vignette Guidelines Overview

5. A few basic principles Email Use written informed consent to discuss limits of use, potential risks and benefits Consult guidelines (eg AMA) and develop procedures to inform patients of risks, benefits, safeguards and get consent Use email to support but not establish the doctor/patient relationship Use encryptionor secure messaging portals Source: AADPRT. 2010

6. A few basic principles Social Networks Exercise restraint when posting content, especially personal and patient content Examineeach post on your personal "wall" and delete anything questionable Use conservative privacy settings on social networking sites Do not accept online requests to friend; discuss "friend requests" with patients in non-shaming manner Source: AADPRT. 2010

7. A few basic principles Texting Do not use texting with patients. If a patient texts you, call them back and empathically reassert the treatment frame and communication within that frame. Source: AADPRT. 2010

8. A few basic principles Search Engines Protect your identity Inspect what is out there about you ("John Q. Smith") Create alerts to monitor new mentions of your name online Consult web site owners to remove embarrassing or incorrect content or pay for service e.g. Naymz.com, ReputationDefender.com Create more favorable and accurate content about yourself so any "skeletons" fall to the bottom of search results (e.g. own web page or profile) Consider buying your own domain name Source: AADPRT. 2010

9. A few basic principles Protect your Patients 6 questions to ask yourself before Googling a patient Why do I want to conduct this search? Would my search advance or compromise the treatment? Should I obtain informed consent from the patient prior to searching? Should I share the results of the search with the patient? Should I document the findings of the search in the medical record? How do I monitor my motivations and the ongoing risk-benefit profile of searching? Source: Clinton et al, HRP. 2010

10. A few basic principles Blogs Keep personal and professional separate Avoid endorsing products or services Consider using a medical blog to enhance your image

11. Conclusions and Take Home Messages

12. Take Home Messages Search engines Social network sites Deeds registries Political campaign contribution Personal webpages Therapeutic Frame

13. Take Home Messages Search engines Social network sites Deeds registries Political campaign contribution Personal webpages Therapeutic Frame

14. Take Home Messages

15. Questions? Tristan Gorrindo, MD mentalhealthandmedia.org

16. Bibliography AADPRThttp://goo.gl/UPQSz JAMAhttp://goo.gl/RAR2B AMAhttp://goo.gl/SNikS APAhttp://goo.gl/v4jWz Medschool Policieshttp://goo.gl/oy5fX