Physicians warned about risks of using Facebook.The CNN (12/16) "The Chart" blog reported, "Doctors with a Facebook profile could be jeopardizing their relationship with patients if they don't correctly use the website's privacy settings, according to a study in the Journal of Medical Ethics." The study "surveyed 200 residents and fellows at the Rouen University Hospital, France, in October 2009." Approximately "half of those surveyed believed that the doctor-patient relationship would be changed if the patient learned that their doctor had a Facebook account; most believed this would happen only if the patient had unrestricted access to the doctor's profile."
MedPage Today (12/17, Fiore) reports, "Nearly all doctors thought physicians shouldn't be forbidden from signing up on Facebook, but 82% said they should limit their access to Facebook friends only." In order "to help doctors navigate some of the issues that were raised in the article, the authors offered recommendations on physician Facebook etiquette." The recommendations include that "doctors must be aware that comments and pictures posted online may be misinterpreted" and that doctors should "use caution and restraint in displaying online material."
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