Vol. 18 • Issue 4
• Page 48
Facebook. Twitter. LinkedIn. MySpace. You probably use at least one of these social networking sites to connect with family members and friends. You share photos, play games, recount adventures.
But social media can also be a tool to help you grow professionally. You can market yourself as a nurse practitioner and market the profession. You can network with other professionals. You can educate your patients by sharing credible health information. And you can, to a small degree, manage your patients.
Market Yourself
Social media is a great place to look for employment - recruiters are everywhere. But beware: Employers look at your social media activities. Avoid posting content that may be embarrassing.
Whether you work in someone else's practice or own your own, social media is a great tool for promoting yourself professionally. People want to do business with those they know, like and trust. You can easily set yourself up as the expert you are.
Patient Contact
Healthcare consumers have expressed an interest in communicating with their providers online. They want to be able to ask a quick question and find out if they should come into the office, visit the ED or just watch and wait. Social networking, e-mail and text messaging can let you get and give immediate feedback.
I recently spoke with Chad Priest, an attorney, clinical nurse specialist and faculty member at the Indiana University School of Nursing, about the implications of "friending" patients. Priest advises caution - especially where privacy and liability are implicated.
Rules of Engagement
Although no federal or case law about social media sites exists right now, it's only a matter of time, according to Priest. So with no official rules for social networking with patients, here are some suggestions.
Do not practice medicine through social media. If you share health information online, be sure it comes from credible sources. It needs to be generic and meant for many, not just one person.
Have your patients sign a disclaimer if you will be connecting with them online. Your form should discuss security and proper use as defined by your practice (e.g., emergent health issues).
If you post anything about yourself, make it squeaky clean. If you think it could be used against you by a prosecuting attorney or employer, don't post it.
Avoid any identifying information. Priest even cautions against using the statement, "I saw an interesting patient this morning," because it can potentially be used against you.
Think before tweeting or using video during a procedure. Determine what you'll do if there is a problem. Consider implications for billing, especially with Medicare.
Proceed With Caution
In a recent small survey I took of my NP colleagues, nearly 80% said they do not friend their patients on Facebook, and 57% said they did not believe providers should engage with their patients through social media.
I personally have chosen, at least for now, not to connect with patients this way. When I'm contacted by my patients, I just explain my policy. So far, they all understand. After all, I am available to them via telephone.
Use your own judgment in deciding your policies and strategies. Remember, once it's out there, you can't take it back.
Barbara C. Phillips is a family and gerontologic nurse practitioner. She is the founder and CEO of Nurse Practitioner Business Owner. To learn more about business development, marketing and social media, visit www.barbaracphillips.com.
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