Minimising the Risk of Breaching Confidentiality on Social Media

CONFIDENTIALITY ON SOCIAL MEDIA
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How nursing students can minimize the risk of breaching confidentiality on social media
Social media comprises web-based applications allowing users to create and share content publicly (Aichner et al., 2020). Profiles may contain various elements such as images, remarks, and personal details relating to themselves, their contacts, or individuals under their care. Nursing students must exercise caution when utilizing social media as an assistant and comply with the standards of confidentiality outlined by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code of Conduct. This includes refraining from posting photographs, comments, or personal details of themselves, peers, colleagues, and patients. The NMC Code declares that all nurses must observe confidentiality with those under their care (NMC, 2018).
Social media can empower nurses to enhance engagement with patients and other healthcare professionals (Ventola, 2018). It can facilitate positive relationships and promote communication while providing opportunities to stay abreast of developments in the field. Breaching confidentiality on social media can have severe repercussions for nurses, including disciplinary action from the regulatory body. This could lead to decreased trust from patients, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals, resulting in strained professional relationships (Noroozi et al., 2018). Nurses may also be subject to legal action for divulging confidential patient information, as this may violate data protection regulations.
Nurses must exercise professionalism and respect when using social media to minimize the risk of breaching confidentiality (Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2013). This includes avoiding posting confidential information about patients, colleagues, or their profession and refraining from participating in any online debates or arguments that could be considered unprofessional. Furthermore, nurses should be aware of the platform and the type of information shared on each. For example, confidential information should not be shared on a public platform, such as Facebook, Twitter, or TikTok, as unauthorized persons could access it.
Nurses must bear in mind that information posted online is not necessarily secure. Even if a post is marked "private," others can still share it. Nurses should be mindful of online activities and cautious when protecting patient information. It is essential to consider the potential ramifications of any posts that involve confidential or personal information, as this could lead to a breach of privacy. Moreover, nurses must be aware that their posts may represent their professional practice and must adhere to the appropriate guidelines when using social media. Therefore, discretion should be employed to maintain confidentiality, particularly when discussing professional or workplace topics. Caregivers must also ensure they do not post confidential information about their patients.
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