Table 2.

Common Guidelines for the Use of Social Media by HCPs⁷,¹⁵

Context	Concept
Content credibility	Share only information from credible sources. Refute any inaccurate information you encounter.
Legal concerns	Remember that the content you author may be discoverable. Comply with federal and state privacy laws. Respect copyright laws.
Licensing concerns	Know professional licensure requirements for your state.
Networking practices	Do not contact patients with requests to join your network. Direct patients who want to join your personal network to a more secure means of communication or to your professional site.
Patient care	Avoid providing specific medical advice to nonpatients. Make appropriate disclosures and disclaimers regarding the accuracy, timeliness, and privacy of electronic communications.
Patient privacy	Avoid writing about specific patients. Make sure you are in compliance with state and federal privacy laws. Obtain patient consent when required. Protect patient information through “de-identification.” Use a respectful tone when discussing patients.
Personal privacy	Use the most secure privacy settings available. Keep personal and professional profiles separate.
Professional ethics	Disclose any in-kind or financial compensation received. Do not make false or misleading claims.
Self-identification	Identify yourself on professional sites. Make sure that your credentials are correctly stated. Specify whether or not you are representing an employer.