Framework for the Creation of Ethical and Professional Social Media Content

Background: Social media are powerful tools that allow users to communicate directly with an online community. Plastic surgeons were early adopters of social media, recognizing their educational and marketing potential. With the use of social media comes ethical and legal concerns. The lack of professional society policies on social media use has led to calls for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons to establish guidelines regarding the use of social media in medical practice. The authors propose a framework for the creation of ethical and professional social media content. Methods: The authors reviewed the updated American Society of Plastic Surgeons Code of Ethics, current professional organization codes of ethics and social media guidelines, recently published articles, and legal documents pertaining to social media use in medical practice. Results: The updated American Society of Plastic Surgeons Code of Ethics provides adequate guidance for the professional use of social media in plastic surgery practice. The authors drew on the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Code of Ethics along with existing professional society guidelines to develop a framework for the professional and ethical creation of social media content. The authors also propose a sample informed consent form for social media use. Conclusions: Social media are powerful tools that will continue to transform the practice of plastic surgery and medicine at large. Plastic surgeons must uphold values of professionalism and ethics when using social media to protect patients and maintain the high professional standards of the specialty.