Social media use and paediatric practice: Hippocratic help, hype or harm?

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Digital Health
• Pediatric Healthcare

Background:

• Social media is integral to personal and professional life.
• Its use by clinicians in digital health contexts presents unique challenges.
• Australian pediatric healthcare settings are increasingly navigating these issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine ethical considerations of social media use by clinicians in Australian pediatric healthcare.
• To highlight the importance of professionalism, boundaries, and patient-family therapeutic alliances.
• To balance the benefits and risks of social media in clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• Reflective analysis of social media use in clinical practice.
• Discussion of ethical considerations related to professionalism and therapeutic relationships.
• Examination of legal and ethical guidelines for digital health interactions.

Main Results:

• Social media use in digital health is ubiquitous and can be beneficial if used cautiously.
• Unfettered social media use poses risks of harm and moral vulnerability to patients, families, and clinicians.
• Clear, consistent, and reviewed professional and personal boundaries are ethically necessary.

Conclusions:

• Digital health and social media require updated Hippocratic principles for modern application.
• Adherence to ethical and legal guidelines is paramount to mitigate risks associated with social media use.
• Establishing and maintaining explicit boundaries is essential for responsible digital health practice and upholding the principle of 'do no harm'.