Alberta College of Pharmacy provides advice on social media use

While pharmacy technicians and pharmacists have, for the most part, navigated the complexities of social media well, the Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP) says there are cases when engaging in social media leads to unintended negative consequences. That's why ACP has taken the initiative to provide tips to pharmacy professionals in navigating the pitfalls associated with social media. The advice is divided into three categories: professionalism, privacy, and technology. Here are some key points from each:ProfessionalismAlways exercise professional judgement, and hold yourself accountable to the Code of Ethics, and Standards of Practice for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians.Protect your reputation, the reputation of your profession, and the public trust. Do not post content that could be viewed as unprofessional, inaccurate, or misleading.Read: Helping patients choose OTC productsMitigate conflicts of interest. When posting content as a health professional, be transparent. Clearly identify who you are and identify any conflicts of interest you may have in conjunction with the information you provide. Present information that is accurate. Avoid any misrepresentation of facts.Do not provide professional services or clinical advice to a specific patient through social media. Do not establish online personal connections with patients or people closely associated with them. Do not engage in professional, business, or personal disputes with patients, customers, or colleagues via social media.Statements to separate personal account profiles from employers and the profession are not effective. Some professionals will state on their account that their comments are their own and do not reflect the opinions of their employers or the professions. These statements do not protect you from complaints to ACP if your behaviour could be viewed as unprofessional and there is a clear connection between your posts and the pharmacy profession.Consider the reaction of your post by all segments of the population, not just your intended audience. Read: OCP provides three tips for detecting fraudulent prescriptionsPrivacyDo not post any information online that identifies an actual patient. Protect the identity of other health professionals. Assume that all online content in both personal and professional accounts is public and accessible to everyone. TechnologyUnderstand the technology you are using. Know the social media site or app’s terms and conditions.Be aware that social media platforms are constantly evolving; be proactive in considering how professional expectations apply in any given circumstances.View the complete article at Social media advice to the professions.

Alberta College of Pharmacy provides advice on social media use

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