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Cited by 92Social Media in Health EducationHealth Literacy and Information AccessibilitySocial Media and Politics

Professionalism in a Digital Age: Opportunities and Considerations for Using Social Media in Health Care

Gagnon, Kendra, Sabus, Carla·2015·Physical Therapy
DOI 10.2522/ptj.20130227
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Abstract

Since the beginning of the millennium, there has been a remarkable change in how people access and share information. Much of this information is user-generated content found on social media sites. As digital technologies and social media continue to expand, health care providers must adapt their professional communication to meet the expectations and needs of consumers. This adaptation may include communication on social media sites. However, many health care providers express concerns that professional social media use, particularly interactions with patients, is ethically problematic. Social media engagement does not create ethical dissonance if best practices are observed and online communication adheres to terms of service, professional standards, and organizational policy. A well-executed social media presence provides health care providers, including physical therapists, the opportunity—and perhaps a professional obligation—to use social media sites to share or create credible health care information, filling a consumer void for high-quality online information on fitness, wellness, and rehabilitation. This perspective article provides a broad review of the emergence of social media in society and health care, explores policy implications of organizational adoption of health care social media, and proposes individual opportunities and guidelines for social media use by the physical therapy professional.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This perspective article reviews the rise of social media in health care and argues that physical therapists have an opportunity—perhaps a professional obligation—to use social media to share credible rehabilitation and wellness information and refute misinformation. It proposes a nested framework and practical guidelines for professional social media use while noting the lack of empirical outcome evidence.

Key findings

  • Social media use in health care is expanding: as of early 2014, the Mayo Clinic reported that more than 1,500 US hospitals managed 6,500 social media accounts on sites such as YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, 4square, and blogs.
  • A cited study in the *American Journal of Medical Quality* found that, for a group of New York hospitals, there was a one percentage point decrease in 30-day mortality rate for every 93 “Likes” on the hospitals’ Facebook pages; Facebook “Likes” were more closely related to mortality than patient satisfaction surveys.
  • Professional bodies have adopted social media guidance: the AMA became the first health care professional body to adopt social media guidelines in 2010; the ANA and NCSBN acted in 2011; ASHP in 2012; and APTA adopted *Standards of Conduct in the Use of Social Media* in 2012, requiring adherence to existing ethics standards.
  • The authors propose guidelines for health care providers: define goals, never share patient-specific information, follow employer policies, take ownership of views, practice digital professionalism, control information sharing, take an agnostic approach to platforms, and monitor one’s online identity.

Methods

  • Perspective article providing a broad review of the emergence of social media in society and health care, policy implications of organizational adoption, and proposed individual opportunities and guidelines for physical therapy professionals.
  • Uses a conceptual framework of nested “spheres of use”: social media terms of service, professional standards, organizational policy, and individual best practices.
  • No empirical data collection, sample, intervention, or formal analysis is described; the paper draws on cited literature, organizational policies, and expert commentary.

Limitations

  • The authors state a major weakness: the lack of empirical evidence on outcomes of using social media in physical therapist education, practice, or research.
  • The text makes evident that this is a perspective/commentary article, not primary research, and that much available health care social media literature is expert commentary similar to this article.
  • Recommendations are based on a broad review and consensus-building principles rather than tested interventions or measured outcomes.

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

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.2522/ptj.20130227

Cites

22 of 22 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 42 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Premisecitation

    People living with chronic disease are particularly likely to seek peer-to-peer social media sites for support.

    “People living with chronic disease are particularly likely to seek peer-to-peer social media sites for support.9”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [9] Fox, 2011, Medicine 2.0: Peer to Peer Health Care. PewResearch Internet Project

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Premisecitation

    For a group of New York hospitals, there was a one percentage point decrease in 30-day mortality rate for every 93 Facebook Likes on the hospitals' pages.

    “for a group of New York hospitals, there was a one percentage point decrease in 30-day mortality rate for every 93 “Likes” on the hospitals' Facebook pages.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [12] Timian, 2013, Do patients “like” good care? Measuring hospital quality via Facebook, Am J Med Qual source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Premisecitation

    Facebook Likes were more closely related to mortality than patient satisfaction surveys.

    “Facebook “Likes” were more closely related to mortality than patient satisfaction surveys.12”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [12] Timian, 2013, Do patients “like” good care? Measuring hospital quality via Facebook, Am J Med Qual source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Interpretationreasoning

    The spread of social media use can be understood as a bottom-up, consumer-driven phenomenon that is changing demand for and access to health information.

    “The spread of social media use can widely be understood as a bottom-up, consumer-driven phenomenon that is changing demand for and access to health information.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Premisecitation

    Many consumers say that information found on social media sites influences decisions to seek a second opinion, choose a specific provider or facility, cope with a chronic condition, or manage diet, exercise, and stress.

    “many consumers say that information found on social media sites influences decisions to seek a second opinion, choose a specific provider or facility, cope with a chronic condition, or manage diet, exercise, and stress.11”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [11] PwC Health Research Institute. Social Media “Likes” Healthcare: From Marketing to Social Business. 2012:1–38. Available at: http://www.pwc.com/us/en/health-industries/publications/health-care-social-media.jhtml. Accessed July 16, 2014.

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims. 18
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 33

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The vast majority of Internet users look for health care information online, with many seeking online sources for self-diagnosis or to diagnose someone else.

    “The vast majority of Internet users look for health care information online, with many seeking online sources for self-diagnosis or to diagnose someone else.7,8”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [7] Fox, Health Online 2013. PewResearch Internet Project

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [8] Fox, The Social Life of Health Information, 2011. PewResearch Internet Project

      Not checked in the free run.

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

    Interpretationreasoning

    A well-executed social media presence gives health care providers, including physical therapists, the opportunity to use social media to share or create credible health care information and fill a consumer void for high-quality online information on fitness, wellness, and rehabilitation.

    “A well-executed social media presence provides health care providers, including physical therapists, the opportunityand perhaps a professional obligation-to use social media sites to share or create credible health care information, filling a consumer void for high-quality online information on fitness, wellness, and rehabilitation.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

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

    Interpretationnone given

    The emergence of social media has shifted information-seeking behavior in society.

    “The emergence of social media has shifted informationseeking behavior in society, whether that information informs buying decisions, determines news exposure, or becomes the basis for health care decisions.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    Consumers have moved from consulting local telephone books to using online directories to find a physical therapist and may now choose a provider based on their Facebook page, blog, or user-created ratings.

    “Consumers have moved from consulting their local telephone book to using online directories to find a physical therapist and may now choose a provider based on their Facebook page, blog, or user-created ratings on sites such as yelp.com.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Most US adults use the Internet, own a smartphone, and use social media to access and share information.

    “the vast majority of US adults are Internet users, have a smartphone, and use social media sites to access and share information.[1][2][3]”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [1] Who's Online: Internet User Demographics. PewResearch Internet Project. 2014. Available at: http://www.pewinternet.org/three-technology-revolutions/. Accessed July 17, 2014.

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [2] Fox S , RainieL. The Web at 25 in the U.S. PewResearch Internet Project. 2014. Available at: http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/02/27/the-web-at-25-in-the-u-s/. Accessed March 7, 2014.

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [3] Duggan M , SmithA. Social Media Update 2013. PewResearch Internet Project. 2013. Available at: http://www.pewinternet.org/2013/12/30/social-media-update-2013/. Accessed May 8, 2014.

      Not checked in the free run.

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

    Interpretationnone given

    Social media engagement does not create ethical dissonance when best practices are followed and online communication complies with terms of service, professional standards, and organizational policy.

    “Social media engagement does not create ethical dissonance if best practices are observed and online communication adheres to terms of service, professional standards, and organizational policy.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

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

    Premisecitation

    The most popular social media are social networking sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn.

    “The most popular social media are social networking sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn.6”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [6] Social Networking Fact Sheet. Available at: http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/social-networking-fact-sheet/. Accessed July 17, 2014.

      Not checked in the free run.

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

    Interpretationnone given

    Health care providers and organizations have recognized and responded to the reality that consumers rely on Internet sources and social media for health information and in making health care decisions.

    “Health care providers and organizations have recognized and responded to the reality that consumers rely on Internet sources and social media for health information and in making their health care decisions.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Although online social media review sites may be vulnerable to bias, there seems to be some validity in using a provider's or organization's social media presence as a measure of quality.

    “However, although online social media review sites may be vulnerable to bias, there does seem to be some validity in using a provider's or organization's social media presence as a measure of quality.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    Violation of a social media site's terms of service may result in removal of content, account suspension, or prosecution.

    “Violation of a social media sites' terms of service may result in removal of content, account suspension, or, in extreme situations, prosecution.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Although most platforms allow social media content to be deleted, content can never be completely eradicated.

    “Although most platforms allow social media content to be deleted, content can never be completely eradicated.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

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

    Interpretationnone given

    Social media for health care communication is a more recent development that requires institutions and providers to acknowledge and assess multiple societal, organizational, professional, and individual considerations and implications.

    “However, social media for health care communication is a more recent development that requires institutions and providers to acknowledge and assess multiple societal, organizational, professional, and individual considerations and implications.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisenone given

    Health care professionals are obligated to adhere to their profession's standards of ethical and professional conduct in all interactions, including those on social media sites.

    “Health care professionals are obligated to adhere to their profession's standards of ethical and professional conduct in all interactions, including those that occur on social media sites.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

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

    Interpretationnone given

    Social media will continue to evolve as platforms change, but online communication will persist.

    “Social media will undoubtedly continue to evolve as sites fade in popularity and new platforms emerge, but it is clear that online communication is here to stay.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

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

    Interpretationreasoning

    Deleted content may be retained through screen shots or screen captures, downloading, e-mail notifications, archiving, and cache storage.

    ““Deleted” content may be retained through screen shots or screen captures, downloading, e-mail notifications, archiving, and cache storage.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

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

    Premisecitation

    The American Physical Therapy Association maintains 8 active Twitter accounts, 3 event-specific accounts, 3 Facebook pages, 2 YouTube channels, and 1 LinkedIn group.

    “the organization maintains 8 active Twitter accounts (3 event-specific accounts, 3 Facebook pages, 2 YouTube channels, and 1 LinkedIn group).15”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [15] American Physical Therapy Association. Social Media & Networking. Available at: http://www.apta.org/socialmedia/. Accessed July 21, 2014.

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning

    Given the ubiquity of social media in society, it is likely that a large proportion of health care providers use social media, at least for personal purposes.

    “Given the ubiquity of social media in society, it is likely that a large proportion of health care providers use social media, at least for personal purposes.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    When an individual uses a social media site, he or she enters into a legal agreement with that site to adhere to the terms of service.

    “When an individual uses a social media site, he or she is entering into a legal agreement with that site to adhere to the “terms of service.””
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

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

    Premisecitation

    Health care organizations run thousands of social media accounts on various platforms.

    “Health care organizations run thousands of social media accounts on various platforms.14”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [14] Mayo Clinic. Health Care Social Media List. Social Media Heal Network. 2013. Available at: http://network.socialmedia.mayoclinic.org/hcsml-grid/. Accessed March 4, 2014.

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisenone given

    The spheres of use that guide social media participation for the health care provider include terms of service, professional standards, organizational policy, and individual best practices.

    “These nested spheres include social media sites' terms of service, professional standards, organizational policy, and individual best practices.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The Standards of Conduct in the Use of Social Media did not change existing standards or introduce new legal and ethical standards.

    “Like the policies adopted by other health care organizations, the Standards of Conduct in the Use of Social Media did not change existing standards or introduce new legal and ethical standards.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [21] American Physical Therapy Association. Standards of Conduct in the Use of Social Media. HOD P06-12-17-16. 2012. Available at: http://www.apta.org/uploadedFiles/APTAorg/About_Us/Policies/Ethics/StandrdsConductSocialMedia.pdf. Accessed March 4, 2014.

      Not checked in the free run.

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

    Premisecitation

    As of early 2014, more than 1,500 US hospitals managed 6,500 social media accounts on sites such as YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, 4square, and blogs, as reported by Mayo Clinic.

    “As of early 2014, the Mayo Clinic reported that more than 1,500 US hospitals managed 6,500 social media accounts on sites such as You-Tube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, 4square, and blogs.14”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [14] Mayo Clinic. Health Care Social Media List. Social Media Heal Network. 2013. Available at: http://network.socialmedia.mayoclinic.org/hcsml-grid/. Accessed March 4, 2014.

      Not checked in the free run.

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

    Interpretationreasoning

    Health care organizations typically have existing policies addressing reputation, privacy, and productivity and often direct employees back to these existing policies when using social media.

    “Health care organizations typically have existing policies addressing these 3 themes and often direct employees back to these existing policies when using social media.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Using separate personal and professional social media accounts does not ensure privacy or keep a user's personal and professional images separate.

    “Users may choose the dual citizenship option to stratify content and messaging to particular audiences but should be cautioned that separate accounts will not guarantee privacy or separation of the user's personal and professional images.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

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

    Interpretationreasoning

    Social media give health care providers a far-reaching platform on which to contribute high-quality online content and amplify positive and accurate health care information and messages.

    “Social media give health care providers a far-reaching platform on which to contribute high-quality online content and amplify positive and accurate health care information and messages.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

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

    Interpretationreasoning

    Social media platforms, even within private accounts, small circles, or closed groups, cannot be assumed to provide the level of security that would support any patient-specific discussions.

    “Social media platforms-even within private accounts, small circles, or closed groups-cannot be assumed to provide the level of security that would support any patient-specific discussions.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The medical literature has not settled whether health care providers should 'friend' patients, and the topic is only beginning to be studied.

    “There is no single answer to this question, which is just beginning to be explored in the medical literature.28,36”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [28] Bosslet, 2011, The patient-doctor relationship and online social networks: results of a national survey, J Gen Intern Med source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [36] Dizon, 2012, Practical guidance: the use of social media in oncology practice, J Oncol Pract source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The rise of new media requires an educational response and a shift in professional development toward treating social media communication as a professional technical competency.

    “The evolution of new media has necessitated an educational response, as well as a shift in the habits of professional development, toward consideration of social media communication as a professional technical competency.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

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

    Interpretationnone given

    Social media provide a forum for correcting misinformation and addressing misconceptions.

    “It also provides a forum for correcting misinformation and addressing misconceptions.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

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

    Interpretationnone given

    Social media policies and guidelines do not necessarily prevent problematic events involving social media, even though they may protect organizations or individuals.

    “Policies and guidelines may provide cover for organizations or individuals, but they do not necessarily prevent a problematic event from occurring using social media.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

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

    Interpretationreasoning

    Integrating digital professionalism throughout the physical therapy curriculum will embed these competencies into physical therapist education and practice culture.

    “This approach will ensure that technology competencies and digital professionalism become part of the culture of physical therapist education and practice.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

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

    Premisecitation

    In 2011, Cain outlined the need for health care organizations to address new questions by developing social media policies and described organizational concerns about social media as falling into 3 primary categories: reputation, privacy, and productivity.

    “In 2011, Cain outlined the need for health care organizations to address these new questions by developing social media policies and described organizational concerns about social media as falling into 3 primary categories: (1) reputation, (2) privacy, and (3) productivity.24”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [24] Cain, 2011, Social media in health care: the case for organizational policy and employee education, Am J Health Syst Pharm source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Active social media use can give users more control over their Internet search results than leaving them to unknown sources and review sites.

    “Using social media may give users increased control over their Internet search results rather than leaving it to unknown sources and online review sites.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Active social media users will find that their own profiles push down less prominent search results.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The AMA policy did not introduce novel standards but stated the relevance of existing standards during online interactions.

    “However, the policy did not introduce novel standards but stated the relevance of existing standards during online interactions.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [16] American Medical Association. Opinion 9.124—Professionalism in the Use of Social Media. 2011. Available at: http://www.ama-assn.org//ama/pub/physician-resources/medical-ethics/code-medical-ethics/opinion9124.page. Accessed July 21, 2014.

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [17] Shore, 2010, Report of the AMA Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs: professionalism in the use of social media, J Clin Ethics source

      Not checked in the free run.

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

    Interpretationreasoning

    Despite legal, ethical, and professional concerns, social media provide networks for learning and platforms for physical therapists to provide credible rehabilitation and wellness information to the public.

    “Although social media introduce many legal, ethical, and professional considerations, they provide networks for learning and platforms on which physical therapists may provide the public with credible rehabilitation and wellness information.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

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

    Interpretationcitation

    Educators can model and support professional social media use for technology-competent students, helping them build digital citizenship through consistent and effective online activity.

    “Educators have an opportunity to model and support professional social media use to these highly engaged and technology-competent students, thus helping students develop digital citizenship through regular and effective Internet use.39”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [39] Mossberger, 2008

      Not checked in the free run.

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

    Interpretationreasoning

    Realizing the benefits of social media and engaging responsibly for societal benefit requires broader considerations than etiquette and manners.

    “For users to realize the benefits of social media and to responsibly engage in social media that benefits society, broader considerations are introduced.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Social media content is highly public and identifiable.

    “Social media users are better served by acknowledging the highly public and identifiable nature of all posted content and should not confuse social media forums with private correspondence.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    Terms of service often cover privacy and security, safety, intellectual property rights, content limitations, user identity, and age requirements.

    “Items covered in terms of service often include, but are not limited to, privacy and security, safety, intellectual property rights, content limitations, user identity, and age requirements.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

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

    Interpretationreasoning

    A health care provider's social media presence does not exist in isolation.

    “appreciating that as a health care provider, an individual's social media presence does not exist in isolation.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

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

    Interpretationreasoning

    Anonymity should not be expected to make social media commentary untraceable.

    “Anonymity should not be expected to make social media commentary untraceable.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
41 of 41

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Many health care providers have been slow to adopt social media, usually citing privacy and liability concerns.

    “However, many health care providers, usually citing privacy and liability concerns, have been slow to adopt social media.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    There is very little research related to health care social media, and much of the available literature is expert commentary similar to this perspective article.

    “There is very little research related to health care social media, and much of the available literature is expert commentary similar to this perspective article.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Most social media guidelines recommend that users do not engage anonymously in social media.

    “However, most social media guidelines recommend that users do not engage anonymously in social media.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Nearly every US hospital has a website, and many support interactive social media features.

    “Nearly every US hospital has a website, and many support interactive social media features.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Technology and social media affect health behaviors and decision making.

    “Technology and social media affect health behaviors and decision making.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Creating multiple profiles breaches the user agreements of many social media platforms, including Facebook.

    “Users also should be warned that creating multiple profiles violates the terms of use of many social media sites, such as Facebook.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Online communication is changing.

    “Online communication is evolving.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Popular technologies today will lose favor and new ones will appear.

    “It is certain that currently popular technologies will fall out of favor while new technologies emerge.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Almost everyone in the United States has an online presence whether or not they use social media.

    “Nearly everyone in US society has an online presence regardless of whether they choose to engage in social media or not.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    It is almost impossible to remove oneself from all websites that publish public information.

    “It is nearly impossible to opt out of all sites that publish publicly available information.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Active social media users will find that their own profiles push down less prominent search results.

    “Users who are active on social media platforms will notice that these user-created profiles will crowd out more obscure listings.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    A provider in a small community may have many overlapping personal and professional interactions.

    “A provider in a small community may experience a high degree of overlap in personal and professional interactions.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    New tools in a society require new skills and knowledge.

    “Introduction of new tools Professionalism in a Digital Age within a society demands new competencies and knowledge.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    A systems perspective on professionalism compels attention to how outside forces affect professional behavior.

    “A systems view of professionalism forces us to consider the impact of external forces on professional behaviors.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Many physical therapists in practice are new to social media and may be uncomfortable using it to read and share health information or network with colleagues online.

    “Many practicing physical therapists are new to social media and may not be comfortable with using social media sites to read and disseminate health information or network with colleagues online.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Many students entering professional programs have social media accounts dating back to their teenage years.

    “Many students now entering professional programs have social media accounts that date back to their teen years.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    It is common for millennials to have a social media history that records intimate details of their adolescence, including material that might look inappropriate professionally.

    “Although it may seem excessive or even surprising to a baby boomer or member of generation X, it is not unusual for individuals of the millennial generation to have a social media presence that chronicles minute details of their adolescence, including content that could be viewed as inappropriate in the professional context.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Educators might be inclined to treat digital citizenship as merely etiquette, manners, and norms of electronic communication.

    “Educators may be tempted to reduce digital citizenship to proper etiquette, appropriate manners, and norms of engagement in electronic correspondence.”
18 of 18

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?

  • Even with separate personal and professional accounts, absolute privacy and control over the personal account do not exist as any content posted online can remain available in perpetuity and be misused or inappropriately interpreted by colleagues and patients.

    “even with separate personal and professional accounts, absolute privacy and control over the personal account do not exist as any content posted online can remain available in perpetuity and be misused or inappropriately interpreted by colleagues and patients [3, 42, 53].”

    From Future healthcare providers and professionalism on social media: a cross-sectional study (2022) · cites this paper as [3]

  • The majority's view that professional standards differ between real and virtual worlds is perhaps due to widespread misguidance of healthcare students in numerous countries on the professional use of social media and the hasty transcendence of professionalism from face-to-face consultations to online interactions.

    “This is perhaps due to the widespread misguidance of healthcare students in numerous countries on the professional use of social media and the hasty transcendence of professionalism from face-to-face consultations to online interactions [3, 12].”

    From Future healthcare providers and professionalism on social media: a cross-sectional study (2022) · cites this paper as [3]

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Vanderbilt policy is cited to an unrelated reference

    Minor

    The quotation from Vanderbilt's social media policy cites reference 27, but reference 27 is a survey about patient-doctor relationships, not the stated policy.

  • The 12-word Mayo policy is assigned the wrong reference number

    Minor

    The text cites reference 35 for the Mayo Clinic's 12-word policy, while the reference list identifies that policy as reference 34.

  • Lesser and colleagues are given the wrong reference number

    Minor

    The text attributes the quotation to Lesser and colleagues but cites reference 37. The reference list places Lesser and colleagues at reference 36; reference 37 has different authors.

3 of 3

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. 2011, Principles for Social Networking and the Nurse

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Gagnon, K., & Sabus, C.
Affiliations
  • Rockhurst University (US)
  • University of Kansas Medical Center (US)
Corresponding author
Gagnon, Kendra
ORCID
Venue
Physical Therapy
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2015-03-01
Volume
95
Issue
3
Pages
406-414
ISSN
  • 0031-9023 (ISSN-L)
  • 1538-6724
DOI
10.2522/ptj.20130227
OpenAlex
W2120966849
Semantic Scholar
928f983fa69fdca09adb8fb70c13398c853622a8
Cited by
90
References
22
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 1
FWCI
5.52
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Physical Therapy (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Social Media in Health Education
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
  • Social Sciences › Communication › Social Media and Politics
Keywords
social media, healthcare communication, professionalism, physiotherapists, professional ethics, online patient communication, user-generated content, health data sharing
MeSH terms
Communication, Delivery of Health Care, Humans, Professional Competence, Organizational Policy, Ethics, Clinical, Physical Therapy Specialty, Social Media

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

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.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

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