ASHP Intersections Summer 2010 - 10

education technology at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy in Lexington. “They’ve had Facebook for several years already and used it a certain way with their peers. They don’t realize that they’re no longer seen as a student but as a future professional.” Cain, who has published widely on the issue and has presented at ASHP meetings about professionalism in the electronic age, believes that there is a disconnect between how Facebook

was intended to be used—as a social hub—and how it may actually be used by some people—to gain insight into a person’s character, judgment, and professionalism. Cain suggests that pharmacists ask themselves one question before posting anything online: Is it something you would want pharmacy faculty, your colleagues, or your patients to see? Friendly Patients Most online social networks allow members to connect as friends. With 400 million users on Facebook alone, sooner or later, you are bound to receive a friend request from a patient. How should you handle it? “There’s an entire range of possible responses,” said Bill G. Felkey, M.S., professor emeritus of health care informatics at Auburn University’s Harrison School of Pharmacy in Auburn, Ala. “I have seen professionals who maintain a high level of

professional distance. Others are very comfortable with including patients and look at it as a form of relationship building.” Many professionals fall somewhere in the middle. “It’s a sticky situation,” said Cain. “It’s like a room. If patients come into that room, they’re coming into your social life. That’s a line that wasn’t crossed before.” Many institutions are starting to enact professional policies regarding social networking and the requirements of “e-professionalism.” In the meantime, if you are not comfortable with “friending” patients, you can always deny the request. However, in the interest of diplomacy, you might wish to explain that you use your social networks for your family and close friends only. Better yet, if you have a professional site, point your patients to it. Tools for Collaboration Although it is wise to be cautious when using

Jeff Cain, Ed.D., M.S.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists

ASHP Intersections Summer 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ASHP Intersections Summer 2010