Should Nurses Interact With Patients on Social Media?

Social media is a popular place to post about life’s updates and keep in touch with friends and family, however far they may be. Over the long course of treatment, oncology nurses can often become very close with patients and their families and want to friend or follow them online. However, many institutions have policies against this.

When and how should oncology nurses interact with their patients online? Take our survey and let us know what you think, for a chance to be featured in an upcoming issue of Oncology Nursing News.

This question is becoming increasingly important, as 72% of adults in the United States have at least 1 social media profile, according to Pew Research Center statistics from February 2019. This is up from 62% 5 years prior. While Facebook, Twitter, and other sites obviously are not HIPAA compliant, nurses may feel more of a personal connection with some of their patients, that extends outside the realm of treatment. And then what happens to those relationships after the patient is no longer being treated at the nurse’s institution?

The answer to the question of social media — when and how – might not be so cut-and-dry. We want to hear your thoughts!

Visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MXKDTC9 to take our survey.