Social Media

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to provide guidance to Registrants regarding responsible use of social media and how to use social media in a manner that is compatible with the BPC’s Standards of Conduct, Practice and Ethics.

Naturally, social media offers many benefits, both professionally and personally to Registrants including the ability to:

• Connect, and establish national and international professional networks;
• Engage with the public and help them to understand what the profession does;
• Advertise their professional services;
• Access resources for Continuing Professional Development (CPD);
• Raise the profile of the profession;

This guidance is not intended to address every issue that may arise when using social media but instead focuses on good practice and issues that Registrants may come across frequently.

The BPC accepts that most Registrants will already be using social media responsibly and in a manner that is compatible with the Standards of Conduct, Practice and Ethics.

This guidance should be read in conjunction with the Standards of Conduct, Practice and Ethics and any social media policy imposed by a Registrant’s employer or MI, as and where applicable.

Social Media

Social media covers a number of web-based tools that enables users to create and share content or participate in online communication. Examples of social media include Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, Flickr, and You Tube as means of example.

The principles outlined in this guidance can be generally applied to other kinds of online communication such as personal websites, blogs, talks at online conferences, publishing clinical content online and discussion boards.

Standards of Conduct, Practice and Ethics

The relevant parts of the BPC’s Standards of Conduct, Practice and Ethics are as follows:

Confidentiality

Standard 8.4 – Preserve the confidentiality of personal information acquired through your professional practice and protect the privacy of individuals and organisations about whom information is held.

Standard 8.5 – At the outset of treatment, inform patients about confidentiality and how and in what circumstances you may share personal information with others if relevant to their treatment.

Standard 8.8 – When sending patient information electronically or by other means,
ensure the process is confidential and secure.

Standard 8.10 – When sharing confidential information with another person:

• use anonymised information if possible and consider whether it will serve the purpose for which it is shared;
• not share more identifiable personal information than is necessary for the purpose for which it is shared;
• be satisfied that the recipient understands and will respect the confidential nature of the information;
• not share identifiable personal information without the patient’s consent unless it is required or permitted by law (such as in safeguarding against the risk of serious harm to the patient or others) or is justified in the public interest; and
• tell the patient about any such disclosure unless it would undermine the purpose of the disclosure.

Standard 8.11 – When using clinical material for clinical research or publication:

• carefully consider the potential impact on the patient of publishing material concerning their therapeutic experience; and
• either ensure the patient has given informed consent for its use, which clearly involves considering the impact on the patient of asking them; or
• ensure that the material is effectively anonymised as far as possibleso that the patient cannot be sure of recognising themselves or be recognised by others

Conduct

Standard 9.1 – Work effectively and collaboratively with colleagues with the patient as the primary concern.

Standard 9.2 – Treat colleagues fairly and with respect.

Standard 4.1 – Not unlawfully discriminate against actual or prospective patients,
whether directly or indirectly, on the grounds of:
• age;
• disability;
• gender reassignment;
• marriage and civil
partnership;
• pregnancy and maternity;
• race, including colour, nationality,
culture, ethnic or national origin;
• religion or belief;
• sex;
• sexual orientation.

Standard 4.2 – Not let your own religious, moral, political, or personal beliefs and
values prejudice or adversely affect the treatment provided to a patient.

Fitness to Practise

Registrants may place their BPC registration at risk if they act in a manner, on social media, which is unlawful or contrary to the Standards of Conduct, Practice and Ethics.

Such unprofessional behaviour could include, but is not limited to:

• Sharing confidential information inappropriately online and without consent;
• Building or pursuing physical/sexual relationships with patients;
• Inciting hatred or discrimination;
• Acting in a bullying or intimidating manner;
• Making defamatory personal statements about individuals

If a Registrant becomes aware that another Registrant is using social media in any of the ways outlined above, they should report their concerns to the BPC using the following email address FtPO@bpc.org.uk.

Tips for Social Media use

Before a Registrant decides to post, tweet, or share information online they should:

• Think before they post e.g who will see it and how will they feel if the post goes viral online or is viewed by the BPC, their MI or employer.

• Think whether the post will bring the reputation of the profession into disrepute e.g. Is the content of the post appropriate and in accordance with the Code? If therapeutically inclined, is the information credible, accurate, thoroughly researched and evidenced based etc.

• Check the privacy settings e.g. Are the privacy settings at the highest and have they been reviewed recently, is the profile open or closed to the public etc.

• Verify and authenticate before sharing or liking e.g. Apply the same level of caution that would ordinarily be applied in connection with a more formal publication.

• Admit wrongdoing where required e.g. If something is published that is incorrect, quickly delete the post and issue a separate correction post thereafter.