The Digital Edge of Medicine: Navigating the Bioethical Challenges of Social Media Use by Doctors and Patients

Abstract

Background: The increasing integration of social media in daily life has transformed the interaction between doctors and patients, presenting opportunities for communication and education, but also significant bioethical challenges. The management of confidentiality, professionalism, relationship boundaries, and misinformation are central concerns. The objective of this review is to synthesize the key bioethical considerations for the use of social media by doctors and patients.

Methods: A narrative review was carried out, analyzing recent literature on ethical challenges, the impact on the doctor-patient relationship, proposed guidelines, privacy risks, and the management of misinformation on social media in the health context.

Results: The main ethical challenges for doctors include the risk of violating patient confidentiality, the difficulty in maintaining clear professional boundaries, the management of online identity, and responsibility for the dissemination of erroneous information. The use of social media by patients impacts the doctor-patient relationship by blurring boundaries and posing privacy risks, although it can also foster patient participation. There are ethical guidelines proposed by professional organizations and academic literature, focused on confidentiality, professionalism, and responsible communication. Significant bioethical risks focus on data privacy, confidentiality, and potential “privacy fatigue.” Addressing misinformation requires doctors to balance factual correction with sensitivity to patients' perspectives and promote health literacy.

Conclusions: The use of social media in the health field presents a complex bioethical panorama. Careful navigation is required by doctors and patients, guided by solid ethical principles, clear guidelines, and continuous education on digital professionalism and information management. A balanced approach can take advantage of the benefits of these platforms while minimizing their inherent risks.