Facebook-based medicine, or the doctor’s professional image on the Internet
In times of universal access to the Internet virtual reality is no longer a reflection of the real world, but is beginning to influence people’s behaviour in the real world and their views. The definition of medical professionalism therefore is also changing and doctors, who may be judged on the b...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Medical Communications Sp. z o.o.
2015-09-01
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| Series: | Pediatria i Medycyna Rodzinna |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.pimr.pl/index.php/issues/2015-vol-11-no-3/facebook-based-medicine-or-the-doctor-s-professional-image-on-the-internet?aid=895 |
| Summary: | In times of universal access to the Internet virtual reality is no longer a reflection of the real world, but is beginning
to influence people’s behaviour in the real world and their views. The definition of medical professionalism therefore is also
changing and doctors, who may be judged on the basis of their Internet image and whose knowledge can be verified more
easily these days, face new challenges. This represents both a risk and opportunity; therefore, it is worth investigating the
status of research into this issue conducted to date. In this work we present world data demonstrating an increase in social
media activity of doctors and patients, including on Facebook, which is the second most frequently visited website. We also
point to risks involved in sharing personal data on the Internet (real name, surname, date of birth, photograph). By sharing
their private information online, the doctor allows for confronting their professional image with their private life. A patient
who can see private photographs of their doctor may begin to doubt the doctor’s professionalism and competences and thus
lose confidence in them, which will inevitably compromise the therapeutic process. We also provide a number of rules laid
down by medical associations from many countries, which one should bear in mind when posting content on the Internet
(the main rule is: “We should not post anything on the Internet that we would not say in a crowded lift”). We also describe
the benefits for the doctor that can be derived from sensible use of Facebook and we summarise studies on creating
a professional, coherent Internet image of the doctor. |
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| ISSN: | 1734-1531 2451-0742 |