[SOCIAL MEDIA USE AND THE DOCTOR-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP - IS PROGRESSION REALLY LEADING US FORWARD?]

Lately, social media have become a pivotal aspect in our communication with the world around us. It seems that it is only a matter of time until it will take a major role in the communication with our patients. Before we hand ourselves over to this new technology, it is necessary to examine the consequences that this media will have on this interaction and the changes that follow the utilization of this tool. This paper deals with the basic conflict that stands between the principles of medical practice and the nature of social media, focusing on the importance of boundaries, empathy and physical contact in the doctor-patient interaction. Different aspects of social media in the doctor-patient relationship are discussed, raising the question of whether this progress in technology really leads to a better therapeutic interaction.