Hi Class,
This is a group assignment.
Blog assignment - Go to the NCMIC website. Log on with the username “college” and the password “NCMIC”. Click on the “case studies/articles” selection on the left side of the screen. Next, look under the “summer 2011”articles. Select and read: Do the Risks of Social Networking Outweigh the Benefits?
For the blog, discuss the pitfalls and benefits. Your discussion should contain at least 2 key points. The 3rd person in each group will post on the blog. This assignment is worth 2 points and is due August 6, 2012.
For the blog, discuss the pitfalls and benefits. Your discussion should contain at least 2 key points. The 3rd person in each group will post on the blog. This assignment is worth 2 points and is due August 6, 2012.
A pitfall for social netoworking is that once information is on the internet it will always be there. So you have to be careful when posting anything on the internet. A good thing is that your information about your practice is only a click away and more accessable to patients. Another pitfall is the concern of people hacking into the system and getting patients personal information. A good thing about patients information being electronic records is the easy access of transfering information from one care giver to another with permission of patient and less paper and ink to buy.
ReplyDeleteOne advantage of using Social Networking sites is that you can reach a lot of people quickly and inexpensively. Having a site for your office allows you to post research and information that is relevant to your patients. You can quickly announce changes to office hours, or list vacation schedules or office closures. A large number of people utilize social networking sites, and it is an easy way to advertise to people that you may not reach otherwise. A disadvantage is that there are not good controls in place. Data can be hacked, and patients may post their personal health information on the site to ask questions, inadvertently violating their own rights under HIPAA. You could be held responsible for not protecting their info even if they were the one to post it. Also, anything you post gets into a permanent record that lawyers could use against you in cases years later. Group 19
ReplyDeleteThe use of social networking sites for health care professionals/facilities has several pros and cons. Social networking is an effective way to bring awareness to your profession as well as your individual practice. If done correctly, the use of social networking can increase the traffic to your website, generate internet buzz, and possibly even result in patient referrals. Another great facet of social networking is that many sites are free to use (i.e. facebook). On the contrary, the use of social networking can discredit a practice as well. Accepting friend requests from patients can obscure the doctor/patient relationship and compromise the efficacy of patient care. Furthermore, plaintiff attorneys can and will seek information about health care physicians on the internet in the event of a lawsuit. Therefore, anything you post online can be used as leverage against you in a court of law. In short, one must weigh the pros and cons of social networking before making the decision to utilize it. (Group #6)
ReplyDeleteGroup #11
ReplyDeleteFor some people it may be hard to draw a line between their personal life and their practice but it must be done. When social networking is done properly, you will increase the activity to your business's website where relevant information about the doctor and patient conditions can be found which will hopefully get the doctor more new patients. One risk of social networking is that, once you post something on the internet it can never be erased or deleted. If you are worried that something may be unacceptable to post on a social site don't do it as it can potentially be used against you in court. Thus, the doctor must keep their personal life personal and their business as a sperate entity to avoid blurring the lines in a doctor patient relationship and having a jury or judge decide what is appropriate.
Group #7
ReplyDeleteUsing social networking in practice could both hurt and help your practice. Many potential patients will google a doctor before going to see them. They will make a decision to go to a doctor based on reviews found on the Internet, what the doctor's website looks like (if they even have one), and what they can find on Facebook about the doctor. Doctors are missing out on potential patients if they do not have any type of social networking. But then there are the cons of social networking. Social networking can hurt a doctor's reputation if something bad or incorrect is posted about them and whatever has been posted is forever available to be seen. Doctors have no control over what others post about them and cannot stop people from seeing the negative posts. Doctor's must be very careful if they choose to use social networking.
Doctors who choose to use social media for their practice should have two separate (Facebook) pages. The personal page should be more difficult to find and should not contain too much personal information. The practice's page should only include pictures of the practice, not of the doctor's personal life. If this is done well, the practice's page will be beneficial to the doctor and thier patients. The doctor will be able to send out reminders for office events or update when certain things are available(massage availability, for example). The visibility of the site can make patients feel the doctor has a presence. If a doctor does not have a website or Facebook page, most individuals would consider them behind the times, also may think they are not legit. There are many downfalls of social media. One that can harm how people view the doctor is spelling and proper grammar. The doctor needs to be careful of this and should be monitoring the site if he/she is allowing a staff member to post. Group 18
ReplyDeleteThe use of social media and online websites can be beneficial for both doctor and patient if they are done properly and professionally. If a doctor chooses to have a Facebook or other social media page, they need to be very careful to maintain the distinction between their personal and professional life. Their personal Facebook page should contain minimal personal information. The doctor also needs to be very careful with what both he and others write on that page. It is my opinion that doctors should not be "friends" with their patients. This helps to maintain a strictly professional relationship with all of your patients. The doctor may choose to have a professional Facebook page as well. This page should contain information about upcoming events at the office or patient education articles and things of that nature. No advice should be given to patients in regard to their chiropractic care over this page. If the patient asks the doctor about something regarding their health care, they should be advised to call the office and/or make an appointment. I think if all of the proper precautions are taken, and the doctor takes great care to present themselves appropriately and professionally, social media and online sources can benefit both the patient's and the chiropractor.
ReplyDeleteGroup # 15
ReplyDeleteSocial networking has changed more than simply how we communicate with others. Every moment we post will be there forever, but also everything posted by others directly about us or just simply with us in the background of a photo will be there forever. This means everyone can possibly become the focal point of a controversy. This means acting like a crazy college student are long gone. So yes social media is a amazing media to reach more people, but we have to remember it is a double edged sword.
Group #3
ReplyDeleteA pitfall would be letting the doctor patient relationship become more than that, such as becoming a friendship. Social networking can be a hazard that may be an accidental HIPAA breach waiting to happen. Also, according to the article the internet is one of the first places that lawyers search to find any hits on the doctor.
A benefit is that it is a good way to promote your business as long as your page stays professional and your staff understands its purposes.
Group #4
ReplyDeleteThe risks of social networking sites certainly outweigh the benefits. Anything that a doctor posts on the internet can be used to discredit that doctors professionalism in the future. Violation of patient confidentiality can have serious repercussions for the doctor and the practice. Communication has changed over the past decade, more and more people are utilizing new technology at an alarming rate. The change in communication may persuade young doctors to create blogs or Facebook pages. Doctor visibility is a benefit of this new technology, this allows the possibility of meeting new patients in which you may have never met. Even though your patients will be able to search for you (Dr.) and "like" the ten year old who doesn't have fluid in his ears anymore, the consequences simply do not out weigh the benefits. I believe staff should not be able to use blackberry devices or social networking sites at work. Due to the ease of posting about certain events that may have occurred within the office. Without knowing your staff could incriminate you at a moments notice, I believe it would be wise to avoid any mistakes if you can see them coming.
Group #20
ReplyDeleteSocial media is great in that we live in a world where sharing information quickly and efficiently is vital. It's easy to update a status, share a photo, pinpoint your location, or send a text all within a matter of seconds. It can be a great way to share ideas and products with the world. While it is great to be able to share information quickly and efficiently it also has its pitfalls. As future chiropractors we must take caution to not cross the doctor patient barrier. Being friends with your patients on social networking sites is not recommended as it can make the distinction between patient and doctor skewed and affect how the doctor and patient treat each other in the office and ultimately affect the care given. If a chiropractor wants to have a social networking account, they should have separate private and professional accounts. Never, in either account should any information regarding a patients health or care be discussed. Many patients may see social networks as an easy way to reach their doctor when they are at home and they know the doctor may not be in the office. Even so, it is not okay to give out advice to patients or potential patients via social network as you may risk giving clinical advice without adequate knowledge of the situation at hand. Ultimately, it is our duty to protect and take care with all information posted or sent because it can not be taken back.
Using social networks to promote a health care facility, such as a chiropractic office, can sometimes lead to issues with protecting patient health information. To reduce this potential risk, annual HIPAA training may be needed for staff members. Another one of the pitfalls of online social media is that once a comment or photo is shared, it can not be taken back. Even a seemingly innocent comment could come back to haunt you. The internet and social networking sites are actually the first places that a plaintiff's attorney will go to investigate a doctor in the event of a lawsuit. It seems that the risk of social media definitely outweigh the benefits.
ReplyDeleteGroup 5
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Stacy may or may not have said: doctors need to tread a fine line when sharing information publicly. Unlike the general population, we have a greater duty to protect our business information, especially specifics about our patients. This includes the obvious intended content posted online as well as the unintended possible leak of data due to ignorance, theft, viruses, etc. Group 7 said it best, "doctors are missing" the point when running their "cons" on their "patients." Oh yeah, some people may misinterpret your written word either intentionally with malice or unintentionally due to the lack of context conveyed in text.
Group 10
ReplyDeleteMore than ever, the internet being incorporated into an updated practice is a necessity. This includes the application of public websites used for marketing, patient communication, and even EHR storage (The Cloud). The biggest pitfall is that unfortunately, there will never be a way to have electronic patient interactions (either via texting, phone calls, facebook, etc.) to be 100% safe from thieves (also known as computer nerds with nothing better to do). The hard fact is that we must not ignore such a significant consequence of using said technology. It is essential that we adjust our practices, especially our informed consents to cover such violations, and document ALL conversations (from phone calls to e-mail to texting to messaging). Even with this potential deleterious outcome, the benefits of social networking heavily outweigh the costs. As Chiropractors, I feel that one of the most substantial facets (get the pun) of our philosophy and applications to Health Care, is the patient interaction. Therefore, one of the largest positive factors is the ability to not only saturate the market with your product, but to also put a face, even a personality, on the product. Although there is a fine line that needs to be walked when using social networking, if used properly, it entertains the opportunity to not only market a product, but to promote a unique experience exclusive to the individual offering it.
I currently do not use social networking sites and do not plan to use one for practice due to the complications and legal actions that could result from their improper use. I think that if someone wants to contact you via internet then the practice website that you have should have e-mail or scheduling capabilities to ensure patient confidentiality. People today are becoming more computer savvy and although it might be more convient for a person already signed into facebook to view your practice page or "friend" you, simply googling your practice web site and sending an email would be just as effective, without possiblility of breeching doctor patient relationships. Group 16
ReplyDeleteGroup #8
ReplyDeleteUsing social networking as a doctor has advantages and disadvantages. One of the main benefits is being able to use it as a marketing tool for gaining new patients, whether directly or through networking with other professionals. In addition, some doctors create a social networking site for their office where they post information, news, testimonials, and answer common questions. This is another good form of marketing and also a tool for keeping current patients active.
However, social networking is also risky. Doctors need to be careful that personal information is not shared inappropriately (theirs or a patient’s). HIPAA laws apply and penalties can be expensive. In lawsuits, plaintiffs will look at social networking sites and any information about the doctor could be used against them. Keeping a social networking account active and professional can be time-consuming, but entrusting the job to an employee is a risk. Finally, using networking sites can create an avenue for cybercrime and put your entire computer system, including PHI, in danger.
If you are going to use social networking, you need to know how to separate personal from professional and be cautious about what is posted online. If not, it could be used against you.
Group #12
ReplyDeleteIn a society where we have the capability to access the internet through smart phones and wireless tablets, the use of social media and social networking programs becomes essential for business advertising and promotion. I believe the use of a business webpage should be the root of your practice advertising, communication, and patient education methods. Secondary to your webpage, a Facebook page would be beneficial to briefly summarize your business webpage. Although Facebook may be may be a better tool than your homepage, it also has a better chance of getting you in trouble. Facebook is a great way to post articles and keep your patients in tuned with latest research, but it may also obscure patient/doctor relationships, which threatens the doctor’s professionalism. I agree with the article in the sense that Facebook pages should be separated between personal to professional, and therefore, maintaining those doctor/patient relationships as professional as possible. A quick and efficient way this can be done is referring viewers to your business webpage and posting links on your Facebook webpage that redirects you to your homepage. This keeps activity levels on both webpages high, allowing your business to be found easier through search engines.
Group 17.3
ReplyDeleteBenefits-Social networking is becoming a regular part of people's daily routine. Utilizing apps such as Facebook or Twitter, for example, as a marketing tool is an easy and inexpensive way to reach a variety of groups.
Pitfalls- Other people's information could inadvertently be posted to these type of websites without the doctor's knowledge. For example, a very popular feature on Facebook right now is the ability to check in to a variety of locations. If someone took a picture while in the office there is a risk that other people's information could be exposed.
Group #13
ReplyDeleteAs a doctor, your entire life is scrutinized and can either enhance your reputation or discredit you. A good reputation is incredibly hard to build and only take a moment of indiscretion to ruin it permanently. While there is nothing inherently wrong with social media, great care must be taken when using it. A few cares that must be taken are to keep patient privacy, not dispensing medical advice, and never bashing another professional. These all can lead to the ruin of your reputation, both with patients and with other professionals. That being said, social media can be a great tool. It can help you affectively educate your patients with well thought out answers. It can allow you to interact with patients and answer their health questions, as long as those questions are not related to their own personal health. It can also help you gauge the interest of your patients in various health related topics. Social media is a free marketing tool. It also helps doctors to connect with the current generation and helps build your reputation with them in a manner that “traditional” things won’t. It is the modern version of the word of mouth referrals. It helps you to network with other professionals around the country. This is beneficial if one of your patients is traveling and needs care in another part of the country. It can also help you learn from your colleagues or give you new ideas for your clinic. Over all, social media is a great tool that can add value to your patients. Just remember, your reputation is with you everywhere and you must use social media properly. If you are going to use it, you must put the same amount of work into it as you would any other aspect of your clinic.
As a doctor, one should respect the power of social media. Having the ability to reach many individuals, every word, comment, blog, picture, marketing ad can be scrutinized, analyzed and judged by everyone that views that message. As many of my colleagues have mentioned once anything has been posted on social media it is always out their to be viewed, this is something that doctors do not approach critically enough. I personally think it is a very valuable asset to have, but needs to be approached with great caution because the risk is huge. "Befriending" potential patients, and or existing patients is a risky behavior, and a slippery slope, so approach with caution in order to maintain the professional boundaries your patient's deserve.
ReplyDeleteThere are many points of view on social networking. In some respects it is a great way to keep relevant and have you name and voice be seen and heard. In the clinic though, social networking can become a major distraction. It up to the either the doctor or someone in charge to see that the uses of social media are being monitored. Let me explain.
ReplyDeleteFirst, there must be distinct and separate page for a doctor’s personal communication and a page that represents the clinic. The info put on that clinic page should only inform those following it of relevant facts about their health, events within the clinic, and perhaps events in the community that the clinic supports. The line should never blur. The doctor’s personal page can have more casual updates that could be shared amongst friends and not patients. In that regard, it would be wise to keep those friends separate and do not friend patients simply because they are your patients.
One would have to be a plum idiot to think that people’s personal health information can be sent in social media communication. There has to be a level of security that can only be found in certain forms. Yes personal email can work along with mail and direct communication. That is all, not text or chatting.
It is my opinion that phones should be off and put away in the clinic. With cameras and recorders on all smart phones, it is easy to capture data that can be used for mall purpose. So too, the staff should not have access to social media on desktop computers and policies about cell phone use should apply in some form to staff as well. The only person updating the clinic page should be the doctor or the person in charge of marketing.