How Not to Twitter if You Work in Healthcare

Phil Baumann, RN has a few suggestions on How (Not) to Twitter:

Don’t Twitter or use social media when you’re angry.

If your case is fascinating then reflect on it, find an eternal truth and then Twitter your revelation instead of the details.

Assume that anonymity is an illusion.

Even if you don’t disclose identifiers, or if you conceal them behind fiction, be aware of triangulation.

Ask yourself another question: if I came across a Tweet from a patient about me (and it wasn’t nice), how would I feel?

From the comments below the blog post:

"My other piece of advice would be not to use Twitter when you've had too much alcohol to drink!"

Well, you should not be having "too much alcohol" in the first place but if you did, it may be better not to use social media at all - no email, blogs, Facebook, or Twitter.


This CommonCraft video explains what a microblogging platform is by using Twitter as an example.

Tips for Medical Bloggers

- Write as if your boss and your patients are reading your blog every day
- Comply with HIPAA
- List your name and contact information
- If your blog is work-related, it is better to let your employer know
- Inquire if there are any blogging guidelines. If there are, comply with them strictly
- Use a disclaimer, e.g. "All opinions expressed here are those of their authors and not of their employer. Information provided here is for medical education only. It is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice."
- Get your blog accredited by the Heath on the Net Foundation

Related:
How to write a medical blog and not get fired?
Content of Weblogs Written by Health Professionals: More Bad than Good?
A Doctor's Opinion: Why I Started Microblogging on Twitter
Twitter, HIPAA, Privacy and Freedom of Speech. Phil Baumann, 07/2008.