The document discusses how health professionals can use social media. It notes that communication has become more complicated with multiple ways to communicate now through social media. It asks what social media means for health professionals and discusses issues around privacy, confidentiality, and engagement when health professionals use social media. The document questions how health professionals in the UK should use social media.

1. Health Professionals and Social Media Or “what #nhssm means to me” Dr. Anne Marie Cunningham @amcunningham

2. We used to know what communication meant... http://www.flickr.com/photos/bepster/120018144/

3. ..of course, there were always opportunities for misunderstanding... http://www.flickr.com/photos/dilaudid/278649026/

4. ... we had phones.... http://www.flickr.com/photos/strep72/4031267011/

5. ...but then it all started to get more complicated. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mimirnm/1664474078/

6. Now there are multiple ways to communicate. http://www.flickr.com/photos/dailypic/1459055735/

7. We call these social media. http://www.flickr.com/photos/constantine-graphics/3859971253/sizes/z/

8. What is social media? “Social media have been modernized to reach consumers through the internet. Social media have become appealing to big and small businesses. Credible brands are utilizing social media to reach customers and to build or maintain reputation.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_media 4/8/2010

9. Engagement? http://www.flickr.com/photos/eyermonkey/2830385093/

10. The other kind of engagement http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanomaggi/3980730952/

11. Hospital marketing.... http://hospitalonlinemarketingeducation.ning.com/profiles/blogs/quick-tips-for-social-media

12. #nhssm The NHS may be looking more closely for branding opportunities.....

13. But what does social media have to do with health professionals?

14. Freedom...? http://www.flickr.com/photos/horrigans/4762673801/

15. What are the rules? http://www.flickr.com/photos/litherland/2614531003/

16. Tweeting about sexual health

17. Who is @RothSexHealth?

18. The ‘old way’ of communicating

19. Sexual health on Facebook

20. Protecting confidentiality

21. People talk about lots of things in public.... http://www.flickr.com/photos/strandloper/485288761/

22. But what would you talk to them about? http://www.flickr.com/photos/mckln/3449315633/

23. We could put ads in public places...... http://www.flickr.com/photos/tupwanders/89267174/

24. Social and community networks impact on health Dahlgren G, Whitehead M. Policies and strategies to promote social equity in health. Copenhagen: World Health Organization, 1992.

25. It is important that we use every means possible to make sure that people get the information that they need. But communication between an individual and a health professional about health should be private. Do you agree? How should health professionals in the UK use social media?