Residents and Social Media Facebook, and Twitter, and Blogs, Oh my…

1. Residents and Social MediaFacebook, and Twitter, and Blogs, Oh my… Pediatrics Chief Residents Brian Flaherty, LahiaYemane, Jamie Holland

2. Discussion Points • eProfessionalism • Pitfalls of Social Media • Benefits of Social media • Social Media Policy • eProfessionalism Cases

3. Professionalism ACGME expects professional residents to: “Demonstrate integrity and compassion; subordinate their needs to the needs of the patient; respect patient diversity, privacy and autonomy; and be accountable to patients, society, and the medical profession”

4. eProfessionalism The application of classic concepts of “professionalism” to our behavior in the on-line world

5. Common Breaches of eProfessionalism • Divulging privileged information • Inappropriate physician-patient relationships • Displaying images or posting remarks that lower society’s trust in physicians

6. Benefits of Social Media • Distribute common information/education to large numbers of patients • Discuss puzzling cases with colleagues • Distribute education to students

7. Why is a Policy Important? • Protect the Residents • HIPPA violations result in automatic implementation of University and Hospital level disciplinary policies • Employers and fellowship programs routinely screen applicants social media pages • Link to policy: http://peds.stanford.edu/policies/socialmedia.html

8. Scenario 1 An 8yo patient with ALL who a resident has taken care of during his induction therapy is finally ready to go home after a 2 week hospital stay. The resident has gotten along well with the patient and his family. As they are leaving, the patient asks if the resident will be his Facebook “friend.” • How can a resident politely decline such a request? • What alternatives can be used to communicate with patients/families?

9. Scenario 2 A resident is called in for their 3rd jeopardy shift in a row, taking them away from a day on an exciting elective rotation. The resident expresses their anger with a rapid series of “tweets” proclaiming that “some residents in my program are so lazy, they don’t deserve to be doctors and I am tired of picking up their slack.” • Is this an appropriate thing to say in a public forum? • How can residents avoid publishing permanent records of unprofessional speech against their patients, coworkers, and employer?

10. Scenario 3 At the annual hospital Halloween celebration, the patients are encouraged to create masks and other costume items during art time at the activity center. During the end of art time, a resident walks by the activity center and sees several children have made animal masks. The resident quickly pulls out their smartphone and posts a picture to their instagram account. • Is this a HIPPA violation ? • How can HIPPA violations such as this be avoided ? • How can images intended for teaching of exam findings/procedures be used?

11. Scenario 4 After a well deserved vacation to Mexico a resident posts numerous pictures on their facebook account. Several of the pictures are from a party the resident attended and he is seen with various alcoholic drinks. • Do photos like this change the perception of the resident, their residency program, or physicians in general? • Would you feel comfortable taking a child to this physician? • What social events are acceptable to post?

12. eDevices • Only access Stanford/Hospital material from encrypted/protected devices • If a device is lost, report it immediately • Don’t share passwords

13. Some final thoughts • Pause before you post • Avoid posting when angry • Caution with “CC”, “BCC”, “Reply All” • Post things you would show your grandparents • Avoid discussing patients • When in doubt, don’t do it

14. Thoughts? Questions?