Ethics Guidance for Occupational Health Practice 9th Edition - Book - Page 70
Social media communication
3.143. Social media use is expanding rapidly, both personally and professionally.
Occupational health professionals may encounter platforms such as Facebook,
X (formerly Twitter), blogs, podcasts and organisational intranet sites used for
communication and collaboration. While these tools can offer benefits, such as
sharing perspectives on complex cases, they require careful and ethical use. Key
principles and considerations are described below.
3.144. Loss of control: Anything shared on social media is no longer under your control
from the moment it is posted. Content can be redistributed, taken out of
context, and should always be considered public.
3.145. Interpretation and impact: Engagements may be interpreted differently by
individuals or organisations. Take extreme care to avoid posts or interactions
that could be misconstrued, harm others, or damage your professional
reputation.
3.146. Privacy risks: Online companies may change privacy policies, meaning content
you believe to be private could become public. Regularly review your privacy
settings and assume that online activity may be visible to others.
3.147. Professional standards: Occupational health professionals must uphold the
same ethical standards online as in clinical practice. Guidance from GMC, NMC,
and HCPC emphasises:
Protect patient confidentiality.
Maintain clear professional boundaries.
Avoid content that could harm individuals or undermine public trust.
Ensure posts are respectful, accurate, and non-discriminatory.
3.148. Professional role: As a rule, occupational health professionals should avoid
engaging in social media in relation to their professional role. If using social
media for professional purposes, think carefully before posting and separate
personal and professional identities.
3.149. Overarching principle: Social media activity is public and permanent. Even
seemingly innocuous posts can take on unintended meanings when removed
from their original context. Always consider the potential consequences before
engaging.
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