Social Media in Intensive Care

Abstract

The use of social media in intensive care has increased steadily since their development in the early 2000s. Usage of social media platforms are now part of everyday life for a sizable proportion of the world’s population. The success of social media relies upon developing a culture where openness and sharing are the norm. This is at odds with traditional medical ethical values such as confidentiality and privacy. Social media can be used for both social and professional purposes, which can lead to unhelpful blurring of lines between personal and professional roles. This chapter discusses guidelines for use of social media for communication purposes by healthcare professionals in the United Kingdom, the benefits and pitfalls of the use of social media for medical education, and the legal aspects of use of social media with respect to intensive care.