Social Media in Healthcare
What is considered an acceptable online presence as a healthcare professional?
I believe healthcare professionals should maintain a professional digital image of themselves and should use the same level of professionalism in their online posts as they would in face-to-face interactions.
It is important to be cognizant that posting is permanent even long after you delete it. When using social media you are leaving a digital footprint of yourself that is traceable.
We are hearing more and more about nurses being penalized for their actions on social media. Recently a Saskatchewan nurse was found guilty of professional misconduct after criticizing her grandfather's palliative care in a facebook post.
Even when off duty, nurses are accountable for their actions including what they choose to post online. So what resources are available on appropriate use of social media for nurses?
Here is what I found...
The International Nurse Regulator Collaborative (INRC) is a group comprised of seven nursing regulators, including the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). The INRC has developed a position statement with recommendations on social media use for nurses. Within this document they discuss the 6 'P's of social media use as guidelines for nurses when posting on social media.
The 6 'P's of Social Media Use:
Professional- Act professionally at all times
Positive- Keep posts positive
Patient/Person Free- Keep posts patient or person free
Protect Yourself- Protect your professionalism, your reputation and yourself
Privacy- Keep your personal and professional life separate, respect privacy of others
Pause before you post- Consider implications, avoid posting in haste or anger
Social media can be a valuable tool when used wisely, however it does not come without risk. One of the major risks of social media use is the ability to post instantaneously with the simple click of a button. Below is a link to The College of Nurses of Ontario webcast on Social Media: Reflect Before You Post.
Here are some additional resources that I found helpful on the use of social media by nurses:
References
College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). (2016). Position Statement. Social Media Use: Common Expectations for Nurses. Retrieved from
College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). (2013). Social Media: Reflect Before You Post Webcast. Retrieved from http://www.cno.org/en/learn-about-standards-guidelines/educational-tools/webcasts/social-media-reflect-before-you-post/