Social networking and healthcare

Hi all! An interesting topic....

I am sitting through an evening physician presentation tonight and thinking about the topic they are discussing. It is about professionalism, which at first glance doesn't sound like a rip-roaring topic, but is actually quite enthralling.

The physician presenting brought up the topic of social networking as a healthcare provider - and argues that it's not terribly appropriate for physicians to have Facebook accounts. I am not sure that I completely agree, but I can see some of his points.

For example, (as related to Facebook) is it appropriate for physicians to "friend" their patients? Perhaps....but maybe not. Should patients be able to see the photos of their physicians on recent glamorous trips to exotic locations? Might not make them feel good about their "healthcare dollars at work". Or, what if a physician says, "Oh, I had an awful day - whiny patients" and you knew you were one of the patients that visited the clinic that day? How about a photo of your child's pediatrician so intoxicated they are half-dressed at some wet t-shirt contest? Would it change your opinion of them as a clinician?

Another point brought up......we now have websites where physicians get rated online, similar to common goods on Amazon. Is that fair to physicians? Every patient and diagnosis is slightly different and often healthcare consumers who do not have training in the medical field may not understand the entire situation - so you might log on to a site and post something horrible about your physician, potentially without fully understanding the situation. Additionally, how often do you log in and report how awesome your physician is? Even if you love him or her, do you report it online? Or do you just take the good care for granted and move along?

On the flip side....should physicians be treated differently than other people as related to social networking? This has been a fascinating discussion tonight.