Physicians and Facebook shouldn't mix

When should physicians and patients become friends on Facebook? Only if they have a standing relationship outside of the office, according to Hospital Impact. Physicians should decline friend requests from patients they are not otherwise friends with for two major reasons:

• Physicians must maintain patient confidentiality.  It’s a challenge to do so in the office setting, let alone in a public forum. Patients may not understand physicians’ obligations and initiate conversations on Facebook that cross the line.
• Accepting friend requests from patients allows patients to see personal information, which may change the patient’s perception of the physician.