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Risks and benefits of sharing patient information on social media: a digital dilemma

van der Boon, RMA; Camm, AJ; Aguiar, C; Biasin, E; Breithardt, G; Bueno, H; Drossart, I; Hoppe, N; Kamenjasevic, E; Ladeiras-Lopes, R; et al. van der Boon, RMA; Camm, AJ; Aguiar, C; Biasin, E; Breithardt, G; Bueno, H; Drossart, I; Hoppe, N; Kamenjasevic, E; Ladeiras-Lopes, R; Mcgreavy, P; Lanzer, P; Vidal-Perez, R; Bruining, N (2024) Risks and benefits of sharing patient information on social media: a digital dilemma. EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL - DIGITAL HEALTH, 5 (3). pp. 199-207. ISSN 2634-3916 https://doi.org/10.1093/ehjdh/ztae009
SGUL Authors: Camm, Alan John

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Abstract

Social media (SoMe) has witnessed remarkable growth and emerged as a dominant method of communication worldwide. Platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have become important tools of the digital native generation. In the field of medicine, particularly, cardiology, attitudes towards SoMe have shifted, and professionals increasingly utilize it to share scientific findings, network with experts, and enhance teaching and learning. Notably, SoMe is being leveraged for teaching purposes, including the sharing of challenging and intriguing cases. However, sharing patient data, including photos or images, online carries significant implications and risks, potentially compromising individual privacy both online and offline. Privacy and data protection are fundamental rights within European Union treaties, and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) serves as the cornerstone of data protection legislation. The GDPR outlines crucial requirements, such as obtaining ‘consent’ and implementing ‘anonymization’, that must be met before sharing sensitive and patient-identifiable information. Additionally, it is vital to consider the patient’s perspective and prioritize ethical and social considerations when addressing challenges associated with sharing patient information on SoMe platforms. Given the absence of a peer-review process and clear guidelines, we present an initial approach, a code of conduct, and recommendations for the ethical use of SoMe. In conclusion, this comprehensive review underscores the importance of a balanced approach that ensures patient privacy and upholds ethical standards while harnessing the immense potential of SoMe to advance cardiology practice and facilitate knowledge dissemination.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: © The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. For commercial re-use, please contact journals.permissions@oup.com
Keywords: Social media, Legal, Ethical, Privacy, Patient information, Education
Journal or Publication Title: EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL - DIGITAL HEALTH
ISSN: 2634-3916
Dates:
DateEvent
May 2024Published
12 February 2024Published Online
5 February 2024Accepted
Publisher License: Creative Commons: Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0
Projects:
Project IDFunderFunder ID
UNSPECIFIEDEuropean Society Of Cardiologyhttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000860
Web of Science ID: WOS:001175531300001
URI: https://openaccess.sgul.ac.uk/id/eprint/116400
Publisher's version: https://doi.org/10.1093/ehjdh/ztae009

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