Although many physicians are communicating with patients online, the majority do not "friend" their patients on Facebook for a variety of reasons, according to CNN.
Here are seven reasons to know:
1. Many physicians do not want to mix their personal lives with their professional lives, which could get intertwined if a patient has access to a physician's personal information on Facebook.
2. Physicians also worry about privacy issues that may arise when discussing medical concerns on various Internet platforms.
3. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists did not advise members against becoming Facebook friends with patients in their social media guidelines. Rather, they stated it was up to the physician whether to become friends with patients on Facebook.
4. Professional groups such as the American College of Physicians and American Academy of Family Physicians have advised against communicating through Facebook in the past. While the American Medical Association acknowledged social media may be a valuable tool to spread information, they encouraged physicians to separate their personal and professional online identities in its 2010 guidelines.
5. Some physicians choose to be friends with patients on Facebook because it fits the recent trend in which patients seek more equal footing with their physicians. The trend follows the consumer approach to medicine where physicians can be available at any time.
6. Many physicians worry about breaking HIPAA if they discuss specific health concerns online. HIPAA was written before email and social media's ascent, and therefore may not address patient preferences or behavior.
7. Some medical professional believe social media can be used in a professional manner by creating professional Facebook and Twitter pages. The pages would have health tips, allowing patients to obtain useful information without compromising security or professional boundaries.
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