TABLE 3.

Recommendations aimed at maintaining a professional social media presence

• Social media is a method of building relationships and a professional reputation. Content posted may have a positive or negative effect among patients and colleagues.

• Identify yourself and be cautious of your online image. Adhere to institutional rules and recommendations.

• Distinguish private from professional online presence by using different accounts and adjusting privacy settings. Redirect patients’ requests to professional accounts. Avoid providing specific medical advice.

• Maintain patients’ confidentiality. Avoid disclosing specific information. It can still be linked to the particular patient, even after anonymization. Do not acknowledge a physician‐patient relationship online.

• Once content is online, it is almost impossible to remove and can quickly spread beyond one’s control.

• Social media abusers can be blocked and reported to the platform where the issue was raised.