Canadian physicians and social media: a survey

Canadian physicians and social media:

Activity and attitudes

Pat Rich – Director, CMA Online Content

Doctors and social media

Social media use is ubiquitous in Canadian society.

Numerous articles/blogs exhort physicians to embrace social media to improve patient care…

But numerous barriers to SM use by physicians in Canada:

* regulatory

* time constraints

* remuneration lacking

Doctors and social media: Example of regulatory activity

FACEBOOK 

The Council has recently become aware that some physicians have posted information on Facebook … such that specific patients have been inadvertently identified.  Council wishes to remind physicians of the potential risk of a complaint, and disciplinary action, for posting or disclosure of any information which has any possibility of identifying a patient.  Council does not believe there is ever a need, or a point, to posting any information regarding a physician’s professional or clinical activity in such a fashion, considering the many risks and no discernable benefits.

College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick

Doctors and social media

Data lacking on Canadian physician uptake of social media and attitudes about SM

Canadian Medical Association is a national, non-profit association representing 74,550 Canadian physicians (80% of practising community)

CMA e-Panel

“Help us represent the views of Canada's physicians by joining a panel of doctors who have agreed to be contacted by email four to six times per year for their input on matters of importance to the profession.”

started in 2007 currently 3,258 participants (practising physicians,

medical students, residents, retired physicians)

Doctors and social media

1) What forms of social media do you use on a regular basis for personal or professional purposes?

2) Have you:

* joined a Facebook group with a medical theme?

* joined a social networking site specifically for physicians?

* posted a video to YouTube on a medical topic?

* participated in an online discussion forum on a medical topic?

* had a patient ask to “friend” you on Facebook?

Doctors and social media

3) Do you think the use of social media in medicine:* helps patients gain a sense of community?* poses professional or legal risks?* increases public knowledge of medical issues?* permits patients and physicians to share information in a collaborative way?* provides platforms for better peer-to-peer sharing?* can help physicians provide better care more efficiently?* is of little value in day-to-day medical practice?

Response rate

647 responses from 3,258 e-panellists (20%)

30% family physician or general practitioner 43% other specialist 7% medical resident (trainee) 7% student 13% retired

Response rate

Demographics

67% male 47% age 55 or older 17% under age 35

Main survey findings I

51% have a Facebook account 17% have a LinkedIn account 12% have a Twitter account 9% have an account on another social networking

site 7% have a blog

Main survey findings II

Few use their social media sites for professional purposes

* Facebook – 1% professional only; 8% both professional and personal

* Twitter – 11% professional; 21% both

* Other social networking – 22% professional; 10% both

* Blog – 19% professional; 22% both

Main survey findings III

43% ― participated in a medical discussion forum

26% ― joined an MD social networking site

15% ― had a Facebook “friend” request from a patient

14% ― joined a Facebook group with a medical theme

2% ― have posted a medical video to YouTube

Main Survey Findings IV

80% ― believe social media pose professional and legal risks

51% ― think SM increase public knowledge about medicine

49% ― think SM help patients gain a sense of community

44% ― believe SM is of little value in day-to-day practice

Main Survey Findings V

Only 18.2% of medical students agree that social media are of little value in day-to-day medical practice, versus 47.5% of practicing physicians

However, 84.1% of medical students believe social media pose professional and legal risks to physicians versus 77.5% of practicing physicians

MDs and social media - comments

180 comments received (very high percentage)

Majority expressed concerns about use of social media in their practice:

* privacy and security considerations

* lack of knowledge about SM

* time constraints

MDs and social media - comments

“(I have) a great deal of concern using this form of communication with patients. Boundary issues (exist), as well as level of responsibility and accountability for responding to any questions.”

“I personally feel threatened by all the electronic media. I don’t like to be ‘on display’ and (prefer) to use the little spare time I have for family activities.”

“Given the weight of privacy issues, using social media in a physician-patient relationship is a dangerous trap, best to be avoided.”

MDs and social media - comments

“Used wisely, social networking sites could be a great boon to prevention, treatment and rehabilitation as well as provision of support and guidance.”

“If physicians don’t get into social media we will be so far behind we will never catch up.”

“Social media is very important for us and should be harnessed. I greatly welcome this for patient-patient and physician-physician interaction.”

Survey strengths/weaknesses

Strengths

Drawn from representative sample Canadian physician population

asked questions for which little data exists

relatively good response rate

Weaknesses

Did not use random sampling method

voluntary; self-selected responders

generalized questions relatively poor response

rate

CMA and social media I

Many responses to e-Panel requested more information or guidance about social media

Only Canadian guidelines/statements issued by two provincial licensing authorities and malpractice insurer (CMPA)

* statements essentially telling doctors “don’t go there”

Guidelines/guidance for members issued by AMA, BMA and Australian/New Zealand medical associations

CMA and social media II

CMA finalizing guidelines/rules of engagement for Canadian doctors:

* based on best practices and widespread consultation with other physician groups

* attempt to balance potential risks/benefits of social media in health care

* outline certain key principles to keep in mind for physicians if they use social media

* goes to CMA Board of Directors for approval

Concluding statements

“It is an important challenge for us as researchers and health system leaders to work with the public to find ways to use the social media to achieve the ideal state … where important decisions are based upon a combination of evidence of needs and impacts; costs and affordability; and fairness and justice.”

Andreas Laupacis

Notes for the Justice Emmett Hall Lecture

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

May 11, 2011

Concluding statements II

“I think its well within the realm of possibility that the generation of medical students today will use social media to communicate with patients.”

Robin Clouston

VP Communications

Canadian Federation of Medical Students

Acknowledgments

Carole Deburggraeve and Angela Moffatt for e-Panel management

Marla Fletcher, Shannon O’Brien and Jean Nelson for review and editing of content