PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - J S Guseh II
AU  - R W Brendel
AU  - D H Brendel
TI  - Medical professionalism in the age of online social networking
AID  - 10.1136/jme.2009.029231
DP  - 2009 Sep 01
TA  - Journal of Medical Ethics
PG  - 584--586
VI  - 35
IP  - 9
4099  - http://jme.bmj.com/content/35/9/584.short
4100  - http://jme.bmj.com/content/35/9/584.full
SO  - J Med Ethics2009 Sep 01; 35
AB  - The rapid emergence and exploding usage of online social networking forums, which are frequented by millions, present clinicians with new ethical and professional challenges. Particularly among a younger generation of physicians and patients, the use of online social networking forums has become widespread. In this article, we discuss ethical challenges facing the patient–doctor relationship as a result of the growing use of online social networking forums. We draw upon one heavily used and highly trafficked forum, Facebook, to illustrate the elements of these online environments and the ethical challenges peculiar to their novel form of exchange. Finally, we present guidelines for clinicians to negotiate responsibly and professionally their possible uses of these social forums.