Declaration on the use of social media for rheumatology professionals

Background

We stand at the intersection of revolutionary digital transformation and evolving healthcare delivery in rheumatology. Social media platforms offer unprecedented opportunities to democratise knowledge, accelerate research dissemination and enhance patient care through global connectivity.^{1 2}

The EULAR study group for social media in rheumatology was established to explore and maximise the potential of social media in advancing rheumatology practice, research and education.³ Since its inception, the group has fostered collaborative discussions, multidisciplinary exchange and exploration of effective evidence-based approaches to harnessing digital tools. The group now consists of 25 members from diverse backgrounds in rheumatology and communication sciences, representing Europe, North America, Asia, South America and Africa—reflecting the truly global and borderless nature of social media engagement.

Purpose of this declaration

This Declaration articulates our collective vision for the responsible and strategic use of social media to enhance rheumatology practice, education and research while upholding professional standards. Drawing from extensive clinical and research experience across diverse settings, this framework addresses common challenges in professional social media use and provides practical solutions for healthcare professionals in digital spaces.

This Declaration serves all stakeholders in rheumatology: clinical practitioners (rheumatologists, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists), researchers, policy advocates, allied specialists, patient research partners and anyone contributing to rheumatology care, research, education or policy. Through strategic social media engagement, we aim to strengthen our speciality’s impact on healthcare systems, scientific advancement and patient outcomes worldwide.

Core principles

Our social media engagement is guided by evidence-based practice and professional integrity. We commit to disseminating scientifically rigorous information while clearly distinguishing between established evidence and emerging hypotheses. Patient dignity remains paramount; we safeguard confidentiality, maintain ethical boundaries and centre patient voices in healthcare discussions.

Our declaration embraces inclusive dialogue that transcends geographical, linguistic and cultural barriers. We support transparent engagement through relevant conflict of interest disclosures and authentic digital presence to preserve trust with colleagues and patients alike (figure 1).

Figure 1. Core principles of social media for rheumatology.

We explicitly acknowledge legal dimensions including General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance, patient consent requirements for sharing anonymised data and the importance of institutional review for social media use in clinical education or advocacy. We recognise that digital access disparities significantly impact our ability to reach under-represented communities and professionals in low-resource settings through limited internet connectivity, reduced access to smartphones or computers, data cost barriers and varying digital literacy levels.² We advocate for content creation that accommodates low-bandwidth environments, including text-based summaries of visual content and partnership with local healthcare organisations to amplify reach. Our multilingual approach must extend beyond translation to include culturally appropriate messaging that resonates with diverse communities.

Strategic imperatives

Social media accelerates research dissemination, facilitates rapid knowledge translation and fosters collaborative initiatives beyond traditional institutional boundaries.

Our digital presence strengthens rheumatology’s advocacy position in healthcare policy discussions and public health initiatives. Social media platforms provide unprecedented opportunities for mentorship, networking and knowledge exchange across hierarchical structures.

We commit to patient empowerment, delivering accurate, accessible information that counters misinformation, enhances health literacy and supports informed decision-making in rheumatological care.

We advocate for democratised rheumatology knowledge by ensuring equitable access to educational resources for professionals and patients across diverse healthcare settings.

Implementation framework

• A structured implementation framework is essential to harness the transformative potential of social media while mitigating its challenges (table 1). The first step involves understanding the digital landscape, including platform-specific dynamics, audience characteristics and the broader rheumatology community’s needs. Identifying the primary objectives of social media engagement in rheumatology, including education, research dissemination, advocacy and patient communication.

Table 1. Priority focus areas for digital rheumatology ethics.

Defining content standards	Establish evidence-based criteria for identifying harmful rheumatology content. Provide practical guidance for clinicians and patients to recognise misinformation. Promote verification protocols for online medical information.
Patient privacy protection	Develop guidelines for discussing rare conditions while preventing inadvertent patient identification. Balance educational objectives with ethical consent requirements.
Emergency information protocols	Create reliable channels for disseminating accurate information during healthcare crises. Coordinate crisis communication among relevant stakeholders.
Other key priorities
Transparency	Mandatory disclosure for AI-generated content and personal or professional engagements.
Algorithmic advocacy	Evidence-based information over viral misinformation.
Accessibility	Creating inclusive standards and diverse technological access.
Professional-patient boundaries	Establishing clear ethical frameworks for interactions with patient communities and influencers.

AI, artificial intelligence.

• We encourage tailored communication strategies:

  • Professional networks (LinkedIn, ResearchGate): academic exchange and career development.

  • Public engagement platforms (Bluesky, X, Instagram): patient education, awareness campaigns and community outreach.

  • Emerging digital spaces: explore innovative knowledge dissemination and networking and platform-specific communication tools.

• Comprehensive programs should focus on:

  • Digital professionalism: maintaining appropriate personal-professional boundaries, consistent online identity and adherence to institutional policies.

  • Content curation: prioritising accuracy, accessibility and engagement through multimedia formats with health literacy considerations.

  • Audience engagement: balancing responsiveness with professional boundaries, particularly regarding clinical advice.

• Content creation must:

  • Ensure scientific accuracy and evidence-based information.

  • Enhance accessibility through various formats (videos, infographics, audio).

  • Incorporate creative approaches for diverse audiences, underrepresented voices and varying health literacy levels through multilingual content and lay summaries.

• Healthcare platforms should establish:

  • Mandatory disclosure requirements for artificial intelligence-generated medical content.

  • Priority visibility for evidence-based information over engagement-driven misinformation.

  • Inclusive accessibility standards for patients with physical limitations.

• Finally, we recommend developing crisis communication approaches for:

  • Addressing health misinformation effectively.

  • Managing professional disagreements constructively.

  • Navigating reputational challenges.

  • Responding to emerging field developments and controversies.

Case vignettes: framework in practice

Case 1: managing controversial treatment discussions

Scenario: a rheumatologist encounters a heated social media debate about a new biologic therapy following preliminary conference data, with colleagues posting conflicting interpretations and patients expressing concern.

Framework application: the rheumatologist applies our core principles by¹—acknowledging the preliminary nature of the data in their response,² directing followers to established treatment guidelines while noting the emerging research,³ disclosing any relevant conflicts of interest and⁴ encouraging patients to discuss treatment options with their healthcare providers rather than making specific clinical recommendations online. This approach maintains scientific integrity while addressing community concerns constructively.

Case 2: multilingual patient education initiative

Scenario: a rheumatology clinic wants to create social media content about lupus awareness for their diverse patient population, which includes significant Spanish-speaking and Mandarin-speaking communities.

Framework application: following our implementation guidelines, the team¹: develops lay summaries alongside core educational content for low health literacy levels,² collaborates with native speakers and cultural liaisons of professional networks to ensure scientifically accurate translation while maintaining cultural sensitivity,³ uses visual infographics and videos to enhance accessibility and⁴ engages with patient advocates to disseminate information. This demonstrates our commitment to inclusive dialogue and equitable access to rheumatology knowledge.

Ensuring the best use of social media in rheumatology

We call upon rheumatologists worldwide to embrace social media as an integral component of modern professional practice. The digital landscape offers powerful opportunities to amplify our collective impact on patient care, scientific advancement and public health policy.⁴ By engaging strategically while upholding professionalism and scientific integrity, we can transform rheumatology’s digital presence into a cohesive global community of practice.⁵

This transformation requires intentional engagement, continuous learning and collective responsibility. Our approach emphasises educational resources initially, recognises that solutions must adapt to diverse healthcare environments and acknowledges practical constraints while maintaining commitment to substantive advancement.

This Declaration was developed by the EULAR Study Group for Social Media in Rheumatology in consultation with rheumatologists, health professionals in rheumatology, patient representatives and digital health experts.