Question

what can hospitals do to maintain confidentiality on social media? what are some policies healthcare organizations have enacted to protect themselves? what are ways healthcare organizations use social media? what do you feel are the positive AND negative aspects of social media when it comes to health care?

Answer 1

Organisation specific guidelines should be provided to health care workers in-order to set the terms of usage of social media. The legislations in place which emphasize de-identification of patient during discussions should be emphasized. Healthcare practitioners should be educated about the institutional policies as well as laws in place. Consequences regarding policy violations should also be defined and violators should be penalised appropriately.

The various policies that health care institutions have enacted to protect themselves include: · Set codes about expectations regarding employee behaviour inside and outside hospital premises · Limit or monitor employee access to the internet and social networking sites. · Limit use of cellphones, tablets and devices in workplace. Ban use of organizational email addresses and graphics or logos for personal use. Encourage separate social media accounts for personal and professional purposes. Disciplinary actions for the inappropriate use of social media. Education of medical staff and employees with state and federal guidelines regarding patients’ privacy. Ensure disclaimer when employees are not speaking on behalf of the organization.

Use of social media in Healthcare:

· Professional networking

· Education and Development of skills

· Collaborations and sharing of information among peers

· Organizational promotion

· Patient education

· Public engagement

· Promotion of healthy lifestyle

· Patient motivation

· Engagement with students

Positive aspects:

Social media is very useful in the enhancement of professional networking and education, organizational promotion, patient care, patient education, and public health programs. It promotes debates on public healthcare policies. It improves accessibility to information that can potentially make the patients more self sufficient in the management of their healthcare requirements. It promotes understanding of health and healthcare issues.

Negative aspects:

The quality of nformation available through social media is poor. It presents Potential risks to patients and healthcare practitioners including damage to professional image, breaches of patient privacy, violation of personal–professional boundaries, and licensing or legal issues.