PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Macauley, Robert
AU  - Elster, Nanette
AU  - Fanaroff, Jonathan M.
AU  - , 
TI  - Ethical Considerations in Pediatricians’ Use of Social Media
AID  - 10.1542/peds.2020-049685
DP  - 2021 Mar 01
TA  - Pediatrics
PG  - e2020049685
VI  - 147
IP  - 3
4099  - http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/147/3/e2020049685.short
4100  - http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/147/3/e2020049685.full
SO  - Pediatrics2021 Mar 01; 147
AB  - Increasing use of social media by patients and clinicians creates opportunities as well as dilemmas for pediatricians, who must recognize the inherent ethical and legal complexity of these communication platforms and maintain professionalism in all contexts. Social media can be a useful tool in the practice of medicine by educating both physicians and patients, expanding access to health care, identifying high-risk behaviors, contributing to research, promoting networking and online support, enhancing advocacy, and nurturing professional compassion. At the same time, there are confidentiality, privacy, professionalism, and boundary issues that need to be considered whenever potential interactions occur between physicians and patients via social media. This clinical report is designed to assist pediatricians in identifying and navigating ethical issues to harness the opportunities and avoid the pitfalls of social media.