Samuel Merritt University Social Media Guidelines and Best Practices
Samuel Merritt University
Social Media Guidelines and Best Practices
Introduction
The Samuel Merritt University Social Media Policy (published in 2013), is the University’s official policy regarding confidentiality, consent, personal responsibility, representing SMU, logos and intellectual property, and the creation and management of SMU-sponsored social media sites.
The following guidelines and best practices, though not part of the official policy, offer suggestions that may help you navigate the sometimes-tricky world of social media. Because of the inappropriate use of social media, some medical professionals have lost their jobs, been disciplined by their Board, and have even been a target of lawsuits and criminally charged. And, a study in the September 2012 Journal of the American Medical Association found that 60% of U.S. medical schools surveyed reported incidents of students posting unprofessional content online. These types of infractions can lead to disciplinary actions, and even dismissals.
We hope that you will find these guidelines and best practices helpful. If you have any feedback or suggestions, please contact Judi Baker at . This document is meant to be a flexible, updatable tool.
Confidentiality and Privacy
These points are covered in the official SMU Social Media Policy, but it is the most important take-away for any future or current health care provider. Do not use or disclose any identifiable student or client information of any kind, including medical records or images, on any social media platform without written authorization. Refer to the Social Media Policy for more information.
Social Media Sites are Public Forums
Assume everyone can read your posts, no matter how obscure or secure the site to which you are posting may seem. Remember that someone within your social circle could easily share your content, on purpose or accidentally.
Think before you post. Though you may be able to edit content after you post it, remember that once something is posted, it can never be fully removed from the Internet. Even if you don’t see it, it has been captured.
Set your privacy settings as high as possible, and check your settings often. A change in privacy policies may change how your information is viewed. Sign out and view your accounts to see what is visible to the public.
Although a law in California recently went into effect prohibiting hiring managers and higher education institutes from demanding that students, employees and job applicants divulge their Facebook and other social media logins and passwords, it does not mean that potential employers and school administrators will not Google your name and view your accounts.
Professional vs. Private Accounts
Maintain clear lines between professional and personal social media activities.
It is recommended to consider setting up both personal and professional accounts for platforms like Facebook and Twitter if you are going to use them for both purposes.
Online contact between health care practitioners (or students) and patients or former patients is not advisable, particularly when using a personal account. Online contact with patients or former patients blurs the distinction between a professional and personal relationship. The fact that a patient may initiate contact with a health care practitioner does not permit them to engage in a personal relationship with a patient.
When working as a health care practitioner, always maintain appropriate boundaries of the patient-practitioner relationship online in accordance with professional ethical guidelines. Conduct yourself online in a way that is similar to a clinical encounter between patient/client and practitioner.
Health care practitioners must recognize that actions online and content posted may negatively affect their reputations among patients and colleagues, may have consequences for their medical careers (particularly for health care professionals in training and medical students), and can undermine public trust in the medical profession.
In the University environment, professors, supervisors and managers should be careful when connecting with their students/employees on social media sites. For example, a friend request from a professor or supervisor can put the student/reporting employee in an uncomfortable situation.
Do not use Samuel Merritt University’s name or logo on any personal online sites you might maintain.
Use Good Judgment and Be Respectful
Refrain from posting material that is profane, libelous, obscene, threatening, abusive, harassing, hateful, defamatory or embarrassing to another person or entity.
Respectfully withdraw from discussions that go off topic or become profane.
Protect SMU’s mission by avoiding comments, postings, photos, videos or images that could be interpreted or perceived as slurs, demeaning, inflammatory, unduly suggestive, inappropriate or otherwise contrary to SMU’s mission.
Avoid criticizing your current employer/school. Even if you don’t divulge their name, criticizing them might make potential employers think twice.
If you spot a potential issue, and believe an official response is needed from Samuel Merritt University, contact the Office of the President at .
Successful Social Media
Used correctly, social media can be a great tool to:
- Connect with the right people—cohorts, industry professionals, potential employers
- Showcase your professional interests and skills
- Join discussions across social networks and communities
- Stay up-to-date on the latest research and treatment standards
- Share your knowledge: answer questions, provide respectful opinions and constructive feedback
- Increase awareness and visibility of a cause, program, or service
- Educate and inform; combat misinformation posted online
Sources and Resources
Though many of these sources come from Nursing associations and councils, the information is pertinent to all health care practitioners.
Federation of State Medical Boards Social Media Guidelines
National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) Social Media Guidelines
National Council of State Boards of Nursing: A Nurse’s Guide to the Use of Social Media
American Nurses Association (ANA): Navigating the World of Social Media
National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA): Recommendations For Social Media Usage and Maintaining Privacy, Confidentiality and Professionalism
Health Information Policy (HIPAA) Privacy Rule & Patient Confidentiality
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.
UCSF Social Media Guidelines and Best Practices
Social Media: Friend or Foe to a Healthcare Provider
USCF
ArticlesHealthcare Professionals and Social NetworkingSouth University
Social Media: For health care providers, a new kind of ‘house call’Bizjournals My Shrink Tried To Friend Me: Doctors with Bad Social Media Etiquette.Slate
Facebook and Physicians: Not Good Medicine Doctors warned to stay off social media to avoid patient privacy conflict Computerworld
Professors Navigate Social Media Boundaries in Providing Effective Counsel to StudentsDiverse Issues in Higher Education
New State Law Bans Employers from Getting Your Facebook PasswordNBC News
Even if It Enrages Your Boss, Social Net Speech Is ProtectedNYTimes
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