Social media
From Ganfyd
"Social media" (sometimes abbreviated to "SoMe") is a generic term to describe communication media such as Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and Doctors net uk.
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There has been large uptake of social media by health providers, health related organisations as well as individuals with implications for health. This includes the increased potential liability for healthcare providers when trying to safeguard patients' protected health information but also provides the potential to ascertain relevant health information in a shorter time frame. In an increasing number of jurisdictions there are regulatory rules and formal advice as well as the use of such media by agencies of government.
Examples include:
- The USA FDA draft guidance on ways that a pharmaceutical or medical device company may choose to respond to unsolicited requests for information regarding use of a drug or device for an "off-label" purpose without running afoul of FDA regulations[1]. Similiar developments are known to be taking place in UK with the ABPI/PMCPA.
- The Get Real, Get a Prescription Facebook page and Twitter feed with UK MHRA involvement to attempt to address mecines related SPAM.
- The UK MHRA considering using public drug reaction reporting from smartphones, Facebook and Twitter
- One study revealed that almost early one-third of assisted reproductive technology clinics in the USA host a social networking website such as Facebook, Twitter, and/or a blog[2]
Social media use by medical practitioners
There is a growing literature on this.
Doctors should, of course, be careful to remain professional and avoid breaching patient confidentiality (including by providing sufficient information that a patient's identity may be deduced) when using social media.
Medical practitioners who famously use social media
According to a BMJ blog, Bertalan Mesko has been described as "the world leader in social media and medicine".[3] Dr Mesko has created a free, on-line course in Social Media.
References
- ↑ [http://www.fda.gov/downloads/drugs/guidancecomplianceregulatoryinformation/guidances/ucm285145.pdf Guidance for Industry Responding to Unsolicited Requests for Off-Label Information About Prescription Drugs and Medical Devices - DRAFT GUIDANCE FDA Dec 2011]
- ↑ Omurtag K, Jimenez PT, Ratts V, Odem R, Cooper AR. The ART of social networking: how SART member clinics are connecting with patients online. Fertility and sterility. 2012 Jan; 97(1):88-94.(Link to article – subscription may be required.)
- ↑ Richard Smith. Meet and learn from Dr Twitter. BMJ Group Blogs. 2012 (30 October)
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