Ethical Issues With Patient-Provider Interactions in an Evolving Social Media Landscape

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Digital Health Communication
• Patient-Provider Relationships

Background:

• Social media use is prevalent among patients, families, and healthcare providers.
• Increased online sharing by families about medical experiences presents new ethical challenges for providers.
• Complex cases involving medically complex children and high-profile social media parents require careful ethical consideration.

Observation:

• A case study involving a resident physician and a medically complex child whose parent has a large social media following.
• The resident considered viewing the parent's public posts detailing the child's medical journey.
• Commentaries from ethicists, family advocates, and pediatric residents addressed privacy, influencer culture, and communication.

Findings:

• Viewing patient social media content surreptitiously carries risks to the therapeutic relationship and patient privacy.
• Direct communication is generally preferred over indirect information gathering through social media.
• Potential benefits of viewing posts, like understanding home life, are outweighed by ethical concerns.

Implications:

• Healthcare providers should prioritize transparent communication with patients and families regarding sensitive information.
• Policies may need updating to address the ethical implications of social media in healthcare.
• Maintaining patient trust and privacy is paramount when navigating digital interactions in medicine.