Graduating student pharmacists’ perspectives on e-professionalism and social media: Qualitative findings

Recommendations for health care educators on e-professionalism and student behavior on social networking sites

“…22 For example, students are willing to clean up or delete their social media profile or make themselves unsearchable before important career fairs where potential employment contracts are signed. 23 However, evidence suggests that improvements or even a complete change in the educational approach is needed for the behavioral change to occur. 24 Hence, educators should begin teaching their students about e-professionalism in their early undergraduate years.…”

“…23,[31][32][33] In order to cater toward this trend, students should leverage on the advantages of social media by: [50][51][52] • Using professional SNSs such as LinkedIn as their professional SNS so that potential employers can review their profiles as electronic résumé (some alternatives to professional networking are also provided in the Search Engine Journal) 53 • Reviewing the content on their SNS regularly and keeping their professional profiles up to date • Removing public content that would make them feel uncomfortable (eg, venting their frustrations about their job, colleague, or company) • Engaging in online communities that they are passionate about and being involved in topics that are in their area of professional interest and expertise. The openness and social nature of SNSs are the main attractive features of SNSs, but these same features can also act as a double-edged sword.…”

“…21,23,[31][32][33] This was probably because they felt that SNSs could help improve patient-practitioner communication, as echoed by medical students and residents. 13 Interestingly, medical residents (8%) and students (1%) were aware of patients visiting their SNS profiles.…”

“…[21][22][23]31,33 Therefore, as a form of guidance, they should refrain from posting foul language and personal and derogatory comments reflecting their disgruntlement about their institution/ employer, peers, faculty, and/or patients. 55,56 In addition, they should exercise caution when "liking" groups that contain controversial topics or material.…”

“…Furthermore, photos that are posted on SNSs by students may not be representative of who they are today, since the photo may have been posted several years back. 23 Educators should inform their students to consider whether comments or photos that they post online are acceptable to the "open public" if conveyed on another medium. If they feel uncomfortable or embarrassed, then restraint should be exercised.…”