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Cited by 16Social Media in Health EducationVeterinary Practice and Education StudiesPrivacy, Security, and Data Protection

Facebook use among early-career veterinarians in Ontario, Canada (March to May 2010)

Open access
Weijs, Cynthia A., Coe, Jason B., Christofides, Emily, Muise, Amy, Desmarais, Serge·2013·Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
DOI 10.2460/javma.242.8.1083
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Abstract

Objective—To explore the nature and content of information publicly posted to Facebook by early-career veterinarians. Design—Cross-sectional descriptive study. Sample—352 early-career veterinarians. Procedures—Publicly accessible Facebook profiles were searched online from March to May 2010 for profiles of early-career veterinarians (graduates from 2004 through 2009) registered with the College of Veterinarians of Ontario, Canada. The content of veterinarians’ Facebook profiles was evaluated and then categorized as low, medium, or high exposure in terms of the information a veterinarian had publicly posted to Facebook. Through the use of content analysis, high-exposure profiles were further analyzed for publicly posted information that may have posed risks to an individual's or the profession's public image. Results—Facebook profiles for 352 of 494 (71%) registered early-career veterinarians were located. One-quarter (25%) of profiles were categorized as low exposure (ie, high privacy), over half (54%) as medium exposure (ie, medium privacy), and 21% as high exposure (ie, low privacy). Content analysis of the high-exposure profiles identified publicly posted information that may pose risks to an individual's or the profession's reputation, including breaches of client confidentiality, evidence of substance abuse, and demeaning comments toward others. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Almost a quarter of veterinarians’ Facebook profiles viewed in the present study contained publicly available content of a questionable nature that could pose a risk to the reputation of the individual, his or her practice, or the veterinary profession. The increased use of Facebook and all types of social media points to the need for raised awareness by veterinarians of all ages of how to manage one's personal and professional identities online to minimize reputation risks for individuals and their practices and to protect the reputation and integrity of the veterinary profession.

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. Cain J. Online social networking issues within academia and pharmacy education. Am J Pharm Educ 2008;72:1-7.
  2. Mayan MJ. An introduction to qualitative methods: a training mod- ule for students and professionals. Edmonton, AB, Canada: Qual Institute Press, 2001.
  3. Tapscott D. The net generation comes of age. In: Grown up digital: how the net generation is changing the world. New York: McGraw Hill, 2009;9-38.

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Authors
Weijs, C. A., Coe, J. B., Christofides, E., Muise, A., & Desmarais, S.
Affiliations
  • Ontario Veterinary College (CA)
  • University of Toronto (CA)
ORCID
Venue
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
Publisher
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
Published
2013-04-15
Volume
242
Issue
8
Pages
1083-1090
ISSN
0003-1488 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.2460/javma.242.8.1083
OpenAlex
W2095726710
Cited by
16
References
28
Citations by year
2021: 1 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 1
FWCI
3.79
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Social Media in Health Education
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Speech and Hearing › Veterinary Practice and Education Studies
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Privacy, Security, and Data Protection
Keywords
Facebook, social media, professional identity, privacy settings, client confidentiality, substance abuse, professional integrity
MeSH terms
Aging, Confidentiality, Data Collection, Humans, Ontario, Computer Security, Veterinarians, Social Media

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