Pharmacists Must Effectively Balance Risks, Benefits of Social Media Use

With the use of social media reaching far beyond everyday individuals, pharmacists must be aware of the potential harms and benefits of social media when considering its use for personal or professional purposes.

“Unfortunately, this has become a professional risk for pharmacists and other licensed providers because once the state hands you over that license and says you've met the requirements to practice as a provider in the state, it's done so with the responsibility to act ethically and professionally,” Jennifer Flynn, CPHRM, vice president of health care risk management at the Healthcare Provider Service Organization (HPSO) and manager of health care risk management at Aon, told Drug Topics. “If you're going to use it in a professional area, you want to make sure that not only are you using professional judgment but you are using evidence-based guidelines.”

As an expert on health care risk management, Flynn understands the playbook for safe and effective social media use among certified medical providers. While she and her organization work to protect providers when others hold them accountable, HPSO has also stayed up-to-date with appropriate use of evolving technologies.

As many providers—as well as the general public—understand, social media is a tool that can be used for improving or harming its users. Along with due diligence and professional judgment that all providers should exhibit throughout their social media use, HPSO serves as another resource for ensuring proper use of social media among US providers.

Learn about these harms, risks, and more when it comes to social media use in this week’s episode of Over the Counter powered by Drug Topics. Get expert insights from a risk management and health care expert working on a daily basis with providers to ensure the safe delivery of health care services.

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