So it happened again. Yesterday a patient mom friended me on Facebook and asked me for advice The answer was an easy no.
So what’s the big deal? Why not just offer some friendly advice? Truthfully, the nature of the question was one that could easily have been answered.
Here’s the thing. Patient interaction in the public domain is a no no for doctors. But what about a personal message? Still, public domain. And there’s no way to insure that you have all the information you need on the problem. The proper dialogue would be too cumbersome. How would I document what I’ve suggested? I could go on all day but that’s not me.
Bottom line: This kind of interaction is loose. It’s cool, it’s convenient, but it’s loose.
While we’re not ready to formally interact with patients in the social media space, we are getting close. Jay Parkinson’s Hellohealth broke the ice last month with a platform that allows patients and docs to be closer through video, text, email on a platform that looks and feels like Facebook. Clever but not ready for mass consumption.
Until then, I’ll continue to meet, talk and touch, the old-fashioned way.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
It is becoming something that is closer and closer to the surface. Patients are going to start demanding more connectivity with healthcare providers, but how do we want to provide it to make sure that we can provide proper information and care.
The other thing that seems problematic about this interaction is that Facebook communications are not confidential. Particularly if you are practicing under HIPPA there is no way any Facebook interaction can be considered secure.
Thanks Keely. I do want to make it very clear that while I may write about this issue of a patient asking to friend me on FB I don't encourage it or condone it. As the post says, I'm very clear about my engagement online. I do think that challenges like this will continue to increase. As a general policy, I do not friend parents on FB unless I share an outside relationship of some sort. I do invite families to read and comment on 33 Charts or follow me on Twitter. Patient care issues are off limits
DrV, I think it's great that you have a clear policy. I think a lot of clinicians are getting in over their heads by not thinking through their policies until they are confronted with challenging situations as they dive into social networking. I'm working on trainings for mental health professionals who are trying to manage the clinical/ethical issues related to technology and mental health. Keep up the good work!
Interesting. I searched facebook looking for people I know, and found one of my docs. I didn't friend her, though, because I thought it might be an invasion of her privacy. I can't imagine asking her for medical advice on line
As a person who works in a pediatric clinic, I enjoy getting to know the patients that visit our office. I feel that the parents like knowing who they are engaging in conversation with. Don't get me wrong, I love my computer and text messaging. I just feel that healthcare is something that needs the one on one attention and not the patient vs whomever is on the other end of the computer.