Table 1.

Domains, indicators, and items for the instrument of e-professionalism—the danger aspect of SNSs^a.

Domain and indicator		Item	Directionb
Confidentiality
	Disclosure of patient information.	I published some information about my patient.	–
	Publication of photographs of the patient without their consent.	I posted a photo of my patient without their knowledge.	–
	Hiding behind false names when posting online or anonymously posting medical information.	I shared medical/dental advice on SNS without my name being visible.	–
	Confidentiality of communication also applies to SNS.	I shared some information about the patient I received through SNS with others.	–
Privacy of MDs and DMDs profiles
	Active management of the visibility of posts depending on their content.	Depending on the appropriateness of the content of my posts, I determine to whom they will be visible.	+
	Controlling the visibility of other people’s posts that include you, depending on their content.	If I notice that someone else has published something about me (eg, my picture, location, or similar), I control who will see it.	+
	Seeking prior approval from colleagues to publish information about them.	I asked a colleague’s permission to mention them in the post.	+
	Appropriate behavior on published content from a professional context.	I have posted content that shows informal situations at my workplace (eg, drinks with colleagues or parties at work).	–
	The use of profanity and other vulgar expressions in posts.	A curse word or some different vulgar expression occasionally slips out in my posts.	–
Contact with patients
	Inappropriate expression in posts.	In my posts, I am cautious that my expression is entirely professional.	+
	Separation of professional and private communication.	I communicate with patients regarding medical/dental problems and treatment from a private profile.	–
	Inclusion of patient data obtained at SNS in the medical documentation without the patient’s consent.	I included information about the patient I found through SNS in the medical documentation without their knowledge.	–
	Sending a friend request to a patient or a patient’s family member.	Have you ever sent a “friend request“ to a patient or a member of the patient’s family from a private profile on an SNS?	–
Fair distribution of resources
	Communication with patients via SNS and outside working hours is selective (the doctor chooses whom they respond to; patients without SNS cannot reach them)	On SNS, I choose which patients I will make contact with and which I will not.	–

^aSNS: social networking site.

^bFor items formulated in a positive direction (marked +), a higher frequency measures a higher level of e-professionalism. In the case of items formulated in a negative direction (marked –), a higher frequency measures a lower level of e-professionalism.