A QuantiaMD survey of more than 4,000 physicians cited in the report found 67 percent of physicians use social media for professional purposes. However, a 2010 survey of state medical boards found 92 percent of the boards received reports of violations of online professionalism, and 72 percent of boards had received reports of violations that were severe enough to warrant formal disciplinary proceedings.
The guidelines aim to protect physicians from unintended consequences of social media use by protecting the privacy and confidentiality of their patients, avoiding online requests for medical advice, acting with professionalism, being forthcoming about potential conflicts of interest and being aware any information posted online could become available to anyone.
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