Post 3: Social media considerations/ issues

1.Avoiding Remarks That May Constitute Defamation:

Posted statements that are offensive and insulting to individuals (or constituencies or organizations) typically do not alone violate the Code, even though such postings may be viewed as uncivil, unprofessional, or demeaning to the professions. The reason that these types of statements alone don’t violate the Code is because the Code is focused on professional conduct that is unethical, not expressive statements that are rude or uncivil. In short, the Code is not a civility code. Rather, the guiding tenets of civility inform, but do not dictate, the professional conduct regulated by the Code to “ensure the welfare of the consumer and to protect the reputation and integrity of the professions.” (Code Preamble) .

2.Avoiding Misrepresentation in the Promotion of Services and Products, and the Listing of Credentials:

Social media can be an effective tool in which to (a) communicate with colleagues and friends and (b) promote your services and the professions. However, posting information on social media that misrepresents your services or credentials, or products you have created or offer for sale, may violate the Code. For example, a private practitioner who uses social media as a no-cost advertising platform to post, "Cure stuttering in just one day! Buy my book!" violates the Code because the private practitioner has no evidence to support these claims. Similarly, an audiologist in an area ear, nose, and throat (ENT) practice who promotes himself by posting that he is the "most highly qualified practitioner in the city" violates the Code because it is misleading to the public if no basis exists for the statement.

3.Breaching Confidentiality:

Posting a detail or details about a client, no matter how insignificant, may allow others to identify your client and reveal that this client is receiving treatment from you. It is imperative that you protect your patients’ identity and keep treatment details confidential. A breach of confidentiality could occur from situations such as (a) posting a seemingly innocent Facebook comment that could potentially allow others to identify your client, (b) posting an unredacted or partially redacted page of a patient’s treatment records to Instagram to show how much progress a client has made using your services, or (c) seeking online guidance through a listserv to treat a difficult medical issue that could inadvertently reveal your client’s private information. Similarly, you have an ethical obligation to keep confidential any personal information about persons participating in your research projects.