As you prepare to commence internship, it's a good time to review your social media presence and online habits. Working as a doctor brings new professional responsibilities, including protecting patient confidentiality, maintaining professional boundaries and managing your own privacy.
Here are some practical dos and don'ts to help you get social media ready for internship.
Dos
Review your digital footprint
Search your name online to see what others can find about you.
Review past posts, photos, comments and tags. Remove or restrict anything you would prefer not to be publicly visible.
Protect your personal privacy
Review and strengthen privacy settings across your social media accounts.
Consider using a non-identifiable username for personal accounts.
Be mindful of sharing details about where you work, live or spend your time.
Keep personal and professional boundaries clear
Think carefully before connecting with colleagues, supervisors or managers on personal accounts.
Consider keeping your personal and professional social media accounts separate.
Remember that even private posts can be shared beyond your intended audience.
Be thoughtful about what you share
Consider how your posts, comments and online interactions might be interpreted by others.
You are entitled to express personal views and participate in public discussion. Be mindful of your professional responsibilities, including respectful communication, confidentiality and maintaining public trust.
Don'ts
Don't connect with patients through personal social media
Avoid accepting friend requests or following patients through personal accounts.
Keep patient communication within appropriate professional channels.
Don't share patient information or workplace content
Never post information that could identify a patient, even if names and obvious identifying details have been removed.
Don't share workplace photos, clinical experiences or conversations without appropriate authorisation. Patient confidentiality must always be protected.
Don't assume private means private
Avoid posting anything you would be uncomfortable having shared more widely.
Remember that screenshots, forwarded messages and deleted posts can leave a lasting digital footprint.
Don't use personal social media for work-related communication
Use approved workplace systems for patient information and clinical communication.
Avoid discussing patients, colleagues or workplace matters in online forums where confidentiality or professional obligations could be compromised.
Key reminder
You don't need to stop using social media when you become a doctor. It's about developing good habits, understanding your professional responsibilities and making informed decisions about what you share and who you connect with.
Pause before you post. Consider who might see it, how it could be interpreted and whether it respects the privacy of others.
For further guidance, refer to the Medical Board of Australia's Social media guidance and Good medical practice: a code of conduct for doctors in Australia.