By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: JAMA Viewpoint Calls for Revising Physician Social Media Guidance
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Business > Hospital Administration > JAMA Viewpoint Calls for Revising Physician Social Media Guidance
eHealthHospital AdministrationMedical EthicsPolicy & LawSocial Media

JAMA Viewpoint Calls for Revising Physician Social Media Guidance

thielst
thielst
Share
3 Min Read
physicians social media
SHARE

physicians social mediaIn a viewpoint published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, three ethics and psychiatry experts from Johns Hopkins University argue that industry guidelines on online medical professionalism inappropriately call on physicians to separate their personal and professional identities.

physicians social mediaIn a viewpoint published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, three ethics and psychiatry experts from Johns Hopkins University argue that industry guidelines on online medical professionalism inappropriately call on physicians to separate their personal and professional identities.

Instead, social media guidance should focus on what is appropriate for physicians to share in the public realm, the authors write.

In the viewpoint, Matthew DeCamp, Thomas Koenig and Margaret Chisolm outline four reasons why calling on physicians to maintain distinct professional and personal online identities is not a practical requirement. They argue that such guidelines:

More Read

How to Participate in Crowdsourced Cancer and Alzheimer’s Disease Research
Meet the Bone Ninja, an iPad App That Analyzes Bone Deformities!
Kinesiology Taping: The Modern Therapy For Pain Relief
What are the Innovative Approaches to Combat Melasma? An In-Depth Guide for the Healthcare Sector
5 Questions to Ask When Buying for Medicare
  • Are operationally impossible, since “no current technology” can prevent the public from using the Internet to “connect [physicians’] professional and personal content;”
  • Lack user consensus and have been unable to garner “physician endorsement and adoption;”
  • Are inconsistent with the concept of professional identity; and
  • Are potentially harmful because physicians would have to manage the “psychological or physical burden of trying to maintain [two] identities” and patients might miss out on certain benefits and might experience less trust if they “sense that their physician is intentionally hiding something.”

The authors suggest that physicians’ social media content should be decided “on whether it is appropriate for a physician in a public space.” They argue that this guidance would have several advantages:

  • It does not require physicians to perform an “impossible” task or rely “on an incorrect concept of professional identity;”
  • It likely would be accepted by the physician community because it builds “on the vast experience physicians already have in navigating public spaces, rather than asking them to do something new or unfamiliar;” and
  • It fits into “existing general professionalism curricula at medical schools, which encourage students to be mindful of professional identity in public and private spaces, not to fully separate their identities.”

The authors conclude, “Absent this approach, the professional transgressions motivating guidelines will persist and the potential benefits of social media will remain unrealized” (DeCamp et al., JAMA viewpoint, 8/14). 

I think it is important to keep in mind that the AMA released mere “guidelines” for those who need some guidance in identifying the boundaries. However, our professional reputations are on the line and it is up to us, as individuals, to manage them.

(Physicians and social media / shutterstock)

TAGGED:JAMA
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

a woman walking on the hallway
6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
Health
September 9, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
Global Healthcare
September 9, 2025
travel nurse in north carolina
Balancing Speed and Scope: Choosing the Nursing Degree That Fits Your Goals
Nursing
September 1, 2025
intimacy
How to Keep Intimacy Comfortable as You Age
Relationship and Lifestyle Senior Care
September 1, 2025

You Might also Like

Entitlements and Estate Taxes: the Medicare Connection

July 26, 2011

Election 2012: Romneycare vs. Obamacare

October 11, 2011

How Secure are Your Systems?

March 7, 2011

Data Analysis, the Election and Health Care Reform

November 9, 2012
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?