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Cited by 352Social Media in Health EducationHealth Literacy and Information AccessibilityImpact of Technology on Adolescents

Dangers and Opportunities for Social Media in Medicine

Open access
GEORGE, DANIEL R., ROVNIAK, LIZA S., KRASCHNEWSKI, JENNIFER L.·2013·Clinical Obstetrics & Gynecology
DOI 10.1097/grf.0b013e318297dc38PMC PMC3863578
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Abstract

Health professionals have begun using social media to benefit patients, enhance professional networks, and advance understanding of individual and contextual factors influencing public health. However, discussion of the dangers of these technologies in medicine has overwhelmed consideration of positive applications. This article summarizes the hazards of social media in medicine and explores how changes in functionality on sites like Facebook may make these technologies less perilous for health professionals. Finally, it describes the most promising avenues through which professionals can use social media in medicine-improving patient communication, enhancing professional development, and contributing to public health research and service.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This narrative review summarizes the dangers of social media in medicine and argues that evolving privacy controls on sites like Facebook and Google+ may make these technologies less hazardous for health professionals. It highlights three promising uses: improving patient communication, enhancing professional development, and contributing to public health research and service.

Key findings

  • Social media use by doctors rose from 41% in 2010 to 90% in 2011, while rates were above 90% for medical students; Facebook surpassed a billion users worldwide in 2012, nearly 1/7th of humanity.
  • Privacy functionality evolved with Google+ “Circles” and Facebook “Lists,” an audience selector, and Privacy Shortcuts, potentially reducing privacy concerns that have made patient–professional online connections largely taboo.
  • Opportunities include patient communication, professional development (nearly a third of physicians report being present on physician-specific networks), and public health research/service; examples include Facebook’s organ-donor feature, linked to a 23-fold surge in donor pledges within one week according to Donate Life America, and the Mayo Clinic’s “Know Your Numbers” YouTube campaign, which received 72,000 views.
  • The paper calls for further research on best practices, optimal network size/familiarity, and whether social media adds incremental benefit to health interventions.

Methods

  • Design: Narrative review/commentary; no systematic review, primary data collection, or formal analysis described.
  • Data or sample: Not stated in the paper.
  • Main analysis: Not stated in the paper.

Limitations

  • The paper states further research is needed to determine best practices, optimal network size/familiarity, and whether Facebook made an incremental contribution to positive effects in cited weight-loss and physical-activity interventions.
  • The paper notes valid concerns about liability, litigation, privacy, and lack of time/compensation, and that HIPAA and time commitment may make social media seem too high-risk.
  • Evident from the text: it is a narrative/commentary review with illustrative examples rather than a systematic synthesis or empirical evaluation; no search strategy, inclusion criteria, or primary outcome data are reported.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1097/grf.0b013e318297dc38

Cites

31 of 31 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 45 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingcitation

    The authors used Facebook Groups for a stress-reduction intervention with first-year medical students at Penn State.

    “At Penn State College of Medicine, we have used Facebook Groups to develop a stress-reduction intervention for first-year medical students,37”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [37] George DR Dellasega C Whitehead M Bordon A A Facebook stress management group for first-year medical students Comput Human Behav 2013 29 559 562

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Findingcitation

    It remains unclear whether Facebook added incremental benefit to those interventions.

    “although it was unclear if Facebook made an incremental contribution to the positive effects observed in both interventions.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [35] Napolitano MA Hayes S Bennett GG Ives A Foster GD Using Facebook and text messaging to deliver a weight loss program to college students Obesity 2012 10.1038/oby.2012.107 Epub ahead of print 23505165

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [36] Cavallo DN Tate DF Ries AV Brown JD DeVellis RF Ammerman AS A social media-based physical activity intervention: A randomized controlled trial Am J Prev Med 2012 43 5 527 532 23079176 PMC3479432

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Premisecitation

    Most patients, especially those with chronic illnesses, turn to social media and online sources for health information, peer connection, and greater involvement in care decisions.

    “a growing majority of modern patients – particularly those with chronic conditions – are seeking out SM and other online sources to acquire health information, connect with others affected by similar conditions,4–6 and play a more active role in their healthcare decisions.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [4] Fox S Jones S The Social Life of Health Information Pew Internet & American Life Project 2009

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites [5] Fox S Purcell K Chronic Disease and the Internet Pew Internet and American Life Project 2009

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites [6] Shrank WH Choudhry NK Swanton K Variations in Structure and Content of Online Social Networks for Patients With Diabetes Arch Intern Med 2011 171 1589 91 21949173 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Premisecitation

    Organizations like the AMA have issued ethical guidelines for social media use.

    “professional organizations such as the American Medical Association (AMA) have published guidelines for the ethical use of social media,20”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [20] Shore R Halsey J Shah K Report of the AMA Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs: Professionalism in the Use of Social Media J Clin Ethics 2011 22 2 165 172 21837888

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Premisecitation

    Physician social media use increased from 41% in 2010 to 90% in 2011.

    “recent estimates of social media usage by doctors has risen dramatically from 41% in 20101 to 90% in 2011,2”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [1] Bosslet G Torke A Hickman S Terry C Helft P The Patient–Doctor Relationship and Online Social Networks: Results of a National Survey J Gen Intern Med 2011 1 7 PMC3181288 21706268 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [2] Modahl M Tompsett L Moorhead T Doctors, Patients & Social Media 2011 Available at: http://www.quantiamd.com/q-qcp/DoctorsPatientSocialMedia.pdf Accessed January 15, 2013.

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims. 6
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 8

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Recent US health policy changes stress community-based care, improved patient-family communication, and team-based prevention.

    “given recent changes in US healthcare policy ushered in by passage of the Affordable Care Act, there is greater relative emphasis being placed on extending care into the community, communicating better with patients and families, and fostering team-based preventive care.13”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [13] Barnes KA Kroening-Roche JC Comfort BW 2012. The Developing Vision of Primary Care N Engl J Med 2012 367 891 893 22931258

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Current guidelines stress risks over benefits and assume misuse rather than positive use.

    “the tone and content of existing guidelines focuses disproportionately on the risks rather than the benefits of SM, and suggests an expectation of misuse rather than consideration of how technologies might be used in a positive manner.11”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [11] George DR Green MJ Beyond Good and Evil: Exploring Medical Trainee Use of Social Media Teach Learn Med 2012 24 2 155 157 22490097 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Penn State College of Medicine's experience suggests junior faculty programs may benefit from non-medical expertise in social media.

    “as we have demonstrated at Penn State College of Medicine,27 junior faculty development programs might find it advantageous to reach out to non-medical disciplines (i.e., communications, marketing, information technology, medical humanities, etc.) to provide useful SM knowledge, skills, resources, strategies, and ethical and professional guidance.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [27] George DR Friending Facebook?: A mini-course explores what the “Social Media” era means for the health professions J Contin Educ Health Prof 2011 31 3 216 220 21953663

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Social media may help advance public health goals like reducing disease burden, improving outcomes, avoiding ER visits, and lowering costs.

    “by reaching multiple patients simultaneously, SM may contribute to greater progress on public health goals such as lowering chronic and infectious disease burden, improving patient outcomes, avoiding emergency room visits, and reducing overall healthcare costs.12”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [12] George DR Making ‘Social’ Safer: Are Facebook and Other Online Networks Becoming Less Hazardous for Health Professionals? J Clin Ethics In press 23469697

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Reckless social media use can blur professional boundaries, display unprofessional behavior, create a permanent online image, invite fines or imprisonment, and waste time.

    “If used recklessly, the technology can blur professional boundaries, serve as a conduit for the display of unprofessional behavior, contribute to building an irreversible online image, open the door for fines, litigation, and imprisonment, and serve as a massive time drain.20”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [20] Shore R Halsey J Shah K Report of the AMA Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs: Professionalism in the Use of Social Media J Clin Ethics 2011 22 2 165 172 21837888

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationcitation

    Social media should be seen as a supplement to, not a replacement for, in-person patient interactions.

    “Rather than being seen as a substitute for in-person interactions with patients, SM should be viewed as a resource that might enhance such interactions.26”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [26] Department of Health & Human Services Principles of Community Engagement 2 2011 NIH Publication No. 11-7782

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Academic writing frequently warns that social media dangerously crosses traditional medical boundaries.

    “the academic literature replete with admonishments of how SM are dangerously breeching the old “boundary markers” of medicine: enabling all manner of distasteful content to be publically posted by medical students, residents, and other healthcare providers,7,14–17”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 5 sources checked
    • cites [7] Chretien KC Greysen SR Chretien JP Kind T Online Posting of Unprofessional Content by Medical Students JAMA 2009 302 1309 15 19773566 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [14] Thompson L Dawson K Ferdig R The Intersection of Online Social Networking with Medical Professionalism J Gen Intern Med 2008 23 954 7 18612723 PMC2517936 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [15] Farnan JM Paro JAM Higa JT Commentary: The Relationship Status of Digital Media and Professionalism: It’s Complicated Acad Med 2009 84 1479 81 10.097/ACM.0b013e3181bb17af 19858794 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [16] Lagu T Kaufman E Asch D Armstrong K Content of Weblogs Written by Health Professionals J Gen Intern Med 2008 23 1642 6 18649110 PMC2533366 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [17] Greysen S Kind T Chretien K Online Professionalism and the Mirror of Social Media J Gen Intern Med 2010 25 1227 9 20632121 PMC2947638 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Liability, litigation, privacy, and time/compensation concerns are valid and widespread among health professionals.

    “Concerns about liability, litigation, privacy, lack of time/compensation are valid and shared across the spectrum of health professionals,2”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [2] Modahl M Tompsett L Moorhead T Doctors, Patients & Social Media 2011 Available at: http://www.quantiamd.com/q-qcp/DoctorsPatientSocialMedia.pdf Accessed January 15, 2013.

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Selective control over what online friends can see may reduce some privacy worries for medical professionals.

    “if one can selectively control the data that one’s online friends have access to, it perhaps reduces (if not totally eliminates) some of the privacy concerns that have been so niggling for the medical professions”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Google+ allows users to segment their network into Circles and share information with specific subgroups.
    • Rests on an assumption: Facebook has changed its functionality to allow users to group friends into Lists and manage privacy with an audience selector.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    These privacy changes may make it easier for clinicians to include patients in their online networks.

    “These systemic changes may also make it more feasible for medical professionals to enlist patients in their personal network in ways that can add to the art of medicine and enhance the provision of healthcare”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Google+ allows users to segment their network into Circles and share information with specific subgroups.
    • Rests on an assumption: Facebook has changed its functionality to allow users to group friends into Lists and manage privacy with an audience selector.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Strategies to change health practices online include connecting patients to specialists or groups and targeting influential network members.

    “there are various strategies to change health practices within online networks such as connecting patients to health specialists or groups that can foster positive behavior change, and targeting popular leaders within networks who may influence other network members.31”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [31] Valente TW Network Interventions Science 2012 337 6090 49 53 22767921

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The Mayo Clinic's 'Know Your Numbers' YouTube campaign received 72,000 views.

    “Their “Know Your Numbers” campaign launched on YouTube in 2011 has presently received 72,000 views and helped inform about the importance of knowing one’s profile for blood pressure, lipids, and body mass index to prevent heart disease1.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [1] Bosslet G Torke A Hickman S Terry C Helft P The Patient–Doctor Relationship and Online Social Networks: Results of a National Survey J Gen Intern Med 2011 1 7 PMC3181288 21706268 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning

    Evolving social media privacy features and US healthcare changes require medical professionals to consider using these tools for individual and public health.

    “the evolving nature of SM functions and privacy settings, coupled with the changing healthcare landscape in the United States necessitate that medical professionals strongly consider how the powerful tools of our age can be harnessed to promote individual and public health as well as personal growth and development.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationreasoning

    Social media pose formidable dangers to health professionals.

    “the dangers these technologies pose to health professionals are formidable.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
14 of 14

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Medical professionals are finding ways to safely and productively integrate social media into healthcare.

    “there is emerging evidence demonstrating that medical professionals are finding ways to safely and productively integrate SM into healthcare.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Social media can provide cost-effective two-way communication between health professionals and patients.

    “SM – which can provide unprecedented opportunities for cost-effective two-way communication between health professionals and patients – can complement modern medical practice.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Google+ allows users to segment their network into Circles and share information with specific subgroups.

    “Google+ allows users to segment their network into “Circles” (i.e., “family”, “friends” “work colleagues”, etc.) and share particular information with the relevant subgroup of one’s network.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Facebook has changed its functionality to allow users to group friends into Lists and manage privacy with an audience selector.

    “Facebook has changed its functionality to allow users to easily group existing friends into smaller, segmented “Lists” akin to Google+ Circles; in fact, when adding new friends, users are automatically prompted to sort the person into a particular “List”.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Social media have immense power to quickly spread information and mobilize people.

    “Social media have created vast global networks with immense power to quickly spread information, mobilize high numbers of people behind a cause, or even foment political change”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Social media sites connect colleagues via online networks.

    “SM sites have served to connect colleagues via online networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and more professional-oriented platforms such as LinkedIn and ResearchGate.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The CDC tracks Tweets for flu outbreaks and maintains an active presence on Twitter and Facebook.

    “the CDC tracks Tweets for information pertaining to flu outbreaks while maintaining an active presence on Twitter and Facebook to share frequent flu-related updates.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Humans are affected by their friends' friends, not just proximate friends.

    “As a highly social species, humans are affected not merely by proximate and more distal friends but also by their friends’ friends.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Health behavior both influences and is influenced by the health behaviors and outcomes of others.

    “Across our vast in-person and online networks, our health behavior both influences, and is influenced by, the health behaviors and outcomes of others.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Investigators have been able to develop methods for protecting confidentiality on social media platforms consistent with IRB guidelines.

    “investigators have been able to develop methods for protecting confidentiality on SM platforms that are consistent with IRB guidelines.”
10 of 10

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Studies from the past decade showed that doctors have limited presence on social media and are unsure how to respond to modern ethical dilemmas.

    “Studies dating from the past decade showed that doctors have limited presence on social media and are unsure as to how to respond to modern ethical dilemmas [10, 13].”

    From Future healthcare providers and professionalism on social media: a cross-sectional study (2022) · cites this paper as [13]

Cites

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Related

Authors
GEORGE, D. R., ROVNIAK, L. S., & KRASCHNEWSKI, J. L.
Affiliations
  • Pennsylvania State University (US)
  • Pediatrics and Genetics (US)
Corresponding author
GEORGE, DANIEL R.
ORCID
Venue
Clinical Obstetrics & Gynecology
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Published
2013-09
Volume
56
Issue
3
Pages
453-462
ISSN
0009-9201 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1097/grf.0b013e318297dc38
PMC
PMC3863578
OpenAlex
W2024051683
Semantic Scholar
8040987142064c8c95fc774a869a5938c9e5078a
Cited by
352
References
31
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 28 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 27 · 2022: 41 · 2021: 44 · 2020: 49 · 2019: 29 · 2018: 30 · 2017: 32 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 1
FWCI
12.52
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Clinical Obstetrics & Gynecology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (UL1TR000127, KL2TR000126)
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R00HL088017)
  • National Center for Research Resources (UL1RR033184, KL2RR033180)
  • National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Social Media in Health Education
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
Keywords
social media, healthcare workers, social media risks, Facebook, patient communication, professional development, professional networks, obstetrics and gynecology
MeSH terms
Communication, Confidentiality, Health Personnel, Humans, Physician-Patient Relations, Social Networking, Social Media

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Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-09.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-09.

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