Virtual colleagues, virtually colleagues—physicians’ use of Twitter: a population-based observational study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate potential violations of patient confidentiality or other breaches of medical ethics committed by physicians and medical students active on the social networking site Twitter.DesignPopulation-based cross-sectional observational study.SettingThe social networking site Twitter (Swedish-speaking users, n=298819).PopulationPhysicians and medical students (Swedish-speaking users, n=237) active on the social networking site Twitter between July 2007 and March 2012.Main outcome measurePostings that reflect unprofessional behaviour and ethical breaches among physicians and medical students.ResultsIn all, 237 Twitter accounts were established as held by physicians and medical students and a total of 13 780 tweets were analysed by content. In all, 276 (1.9%) tweets were labelled as ‘unprofessional’. Among these, 26 (0.2%) tweets written by 15 (6.3%) physicians and medical students included information that could violate patient privacy. No information on the personal ID number or names was disclosed, but parts of the patient documentation or otherwise specific indicatory information on patients were found. Unprofessional tweets were more common among users writing under a pseudonym and among medical students.ConclusionsIn this study of physicians and medical students on Twitter, we observed potential violations of patient privacy and other breaches of medical ethics. Our findings underline that every physician and medical student has to consider his or her presence on social networking sites. It remains to be investigated if the introduction of social networking site guidelines for medical professionals will improve awareness.

Social media and clinical research

“…This report provides a clear summary of the current state of social media use in the pharmaceutical industry. We can find examples of cautionary statements [10] and of how we are learning to engage in this setting [11]. Considering research outside the industry, three speakers at ASCO 2014 addressed social media specifically.…”

Innovations in Educating and Building the Paediatric Theatre Team. The use of Social Media

“…As a tool for education it can be both motivating and engaging to see how other units run things and allow good ideas to spread within our own teams. 5 The number of physicians using social media in a professional capacity is increasing, averaging 1 in 8 medically related tweets (13%). 5 A 2011 survey of physicians found that 24% of respondents used social media daily and 61% weekly to explore online medical information.…”

“…5 The number of physicians using social media in a professional capacity is increasing, averaging 1 in 8 medically related tweets (13%). 5 A 2011 survey of physicians found that 24% of respondents used social media daily and 61% weekly to explore online medical information. 7 By selecting a medically and educationally focused list of people and organizations to follow on Twitter, one can quickly glean the most discussed topics and quickly and efficiently communicate and engage with their own team.…”

“…Users can create, share and interact with posted content. 5 Relationships on Twitter do not have to be reciprocal, meaning that account holders may interact with professionals and institutions, eradicating hierarchy and making it attractive for users. This can be empowering for junior staff members -who have the ability to ask questions whilst keeping a degree of anonymity if they wish.…”

“…Happy employees are: less absent from work, more productive and more engaged at work. 5 One way to boost happiness and promote teamwork is to cultivate an environment where workplace friendships can thrive. On social media, employees can interact with managers, senior staff and colleagues, engage in instant messages and discuss non-patient identifiable clinical content with other employees.…”