West J Emerg Med. 2014 Feb;15(1):26-30. doi: 10.5811/westjem.2013.7.14945.

Social media guidelines and best practices: recommendations from the council of residency directors social media task force.

Pillow MT1, Hopson L2, Bond M3, Cabrera D4, Patterson L5, Pearson D6, Sule H7, Ankel F8, Fernández-Frackelton M9, Hall RV7, Kegg JA10, Norris D11,Takenaka K12.

Author information

• 1Baylor College of Medicine, Section of Emergency Medicine, Houston, Texas.
• 2University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
• 3University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
• 4Mayo Clinic, Department of Emergency Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota.
• 5Brody School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Greenville, North Carolina.
• 6Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina.
• 7Thomas Jefferson University, Department of Emergency Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• 8University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
• 9University of California Los Angeles, Department of Emergency Medicine, Los Angeles, California.
• 10Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Springfield, Illinois.
• 11Ohio State University Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Columbus, Ohio.
• 12University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Department of Emergency Medicine, Houston, Texas.

Abstract

Social media has become a staple of everyday life among over one billion people worldwide. A social networking presence has become a hallmark of vibrant and transparent communications. It has quickly become the preferred method of communication and information sharing. It offers the ability for various entities, especially residency programs, to create an attractive internet presence and "brand" the program. Social media, while having significant potential for communication and knowledge transfer, carries with it legal, ethical, personal, and professional risks. Implementation of a social networking presence must be deliberate, transparent, and optimize potential benefits while minimizing risks. This is especially true with residency programs. The power of social media as a communication, education, and recruiting tool is undeniable. Yet the pitfalls of misuse can be disastrous, including violations in patient confidentiality, violations of privacy, and recruiting misconduct. These guidelines were developed to provide emergency medicine residency programs leadership with guidance and best practices in the appropriate use and regulation of social media, but are applicable to all residency programs that wish to establish a social media presence.