NURS1004 assessment 2. social media.... PDF

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Social media sites dedicated to nursing often convey important information to inform and enhance our nursing practices. However, at times, these sites may contain graphic, inappropriate images and unacceptable postings. Some of these posts are often demeaning and derogatory to patients, families and...

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QUESTION Social media sites dedicated to nursing often convey important information to inform and enhance our nursing practices. However, at times, these sites may contain graphic, inappropriate images and unacceptable postings. Some of these posts are often demeaning and derogatory to patients, families and healthcare professionals, with assertions that there is no place for social media in nursing.

Essay question

Critically evaluate and discuss the above statement. In your essay, you should address the following:

• The potential effects of social media on the professionalism of nursing; how nurses’ practice; and patient/family and health care professionals’ confidentiality.

• Include the standards, codes and laws that apply.

• Outline your responsibilities as an undergraduate Registered Nurse (RN) student ESSAY Online platforms have become a significant aspect of our everyday lives. There has been an increase in the global internet and social media usage, growing from 3.9billion in 2018 to 4.4billion in 2019. This increase can be linked to the ease of access to phones and laptops which makes it easier for subscribers to have instant and direct access to the internet. (Statista, 2019). Social media refers to interactive internet-based platforms that allow its user to share, access and discuss information among people. Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube are some examples of social media sites with Facebook having the highest number of monthly subscribers of about 2.2billion. (Statista, 2019). Social media sites can be used for both personal communication and professional purposes. Its use has been incorporated into health care practices where they serve as a mode of interaction between the health practitioners and the patient. (Walker, 2014). In the use of social media, Nurses must adhere to the social policy which explains the relevance of the National law and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) code of conduct. Section 133 of the National law stipulates the guidelines for the advertisement of health care delivery services on social media or any other mode. The NMBA code of conduct sets out guidelines for legal and professional comportment that are expected of all nurses. It stipulates that a patient’s privacy and confidentiality must always be maintained. These laws and codes were developed mainly to protect the public. (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), 2014). There is a perception about the use of social media which tends to discredit its use by general practitioners. However, vital information is being transferred to social media platforms explicitly used for nursing. This information aids nursing proceedings. The content of this 1

platform could be graphically disturbing with unacceptable images and unprofessional postings. Some of these posts are degrading and unflattering to patients, family and healthcare practitioners, with the contention that there should be zero tolerance of social media in nursing practice. Therefore, this essay aims to discuss the uses and effects of social networking sites on the nursing profession and its impact on the general well-being of the patient and their family. It also talks about how the use of social media relates to the nursing code of conducts/ethics and the role of students. Social media has a lot of benefits in nursing practice. It can be used to update relevant information, for contact storage and to keep in touch with our family and friends. A vital use of social media is that it can help facilitate communication between health care providers. Professional sites can be used as an avenue where one can share, acquire, inquire and discuss topics with a broad range of people that have a common interest. This has the possibility to promote the inculcation of updated information into clinical practice (Piscotty et al., 2013). Nurses from less developed countries can obtain information about procedures from the more advanced countries. They can even observe and participate in procedures happening thousands of miles away by streaming them online. They can join online groups where one can ask questions about clinical issues from colleagues with more experience or more advanced skills. (Jianlei and Bingbin, 2017). Social sites like the nurse company, nurse together and ultimate nurse are nursing dedicated social media sites. These sites are excellent forums where nurses can interact with each other and obtain information specifically for nurses. These platforms can be used by nursing students to inquire about career paths in nursing and any aspect of the nursing process. (Work it daily, 2012).

Social media can also serve as a connection between nurses and patients. Nurses can create platforms where patients can access accurate information about diagnoses and any inquiry they may have. Patients can also be reminded and alerted about appointments through social media sites. (Jianlei and Bingbin, 2017). Although social media sites offer a lot of advantages, it can also have some negative impacts on nursing practice when it is not used correctly. In the use of networking sites or platforms, the professional relationship that exists between a patient and their nurse can easily be overstepped. It can cause an infringement on patient's privacy. It can also affect nurses’ privacy. For instance, accepting a facebook friend request from a patient will give them access to personal information about you which you might not have wanted them to have. This can be prevented by creating a professional page for formal acquaintances. (Bodhi and Kaur, 2017). Also, before sharing any information about a patient on social media, it must be ensured that the patient’s privacy is not compromised. It is pertinent that the NMBA code of professional conduct and the international Nursing Council code ethics is minded. Therefore, an essential tool in the use of social media is familiarisation with the codes and the legal ramifications associated with their violation. This will serve as a guide in censoring the contents of the posts being put online. (Dolan, 2008). The third Principle of the nurses’ code of conduct protects the right of patients to have their information held in confidence by the nurses. (NMBA, 2018). Nurses are bound legally and ethically always to respect Patients privacy and confidentiality. Posting a picture of a patient or discussing a patient diagnoses on social media in a way that the Patients identity can be determined is a breach of privacy and confidentiality, no matter the privacy setting of the platform (AHPRA, 2014). A breach can also occur through no fault of the Practioner. Such as hacking, copying and pasting. A breach in patient confidentiality can endanger the patients’ lives and compromises the nurse’s professional image. Confidentiality refers to the duty of care which bounds nurses (health care practitioners) to protect information about a patient, 2

which can only be divulged on a “need to know basis”. Confidentiality is shared by someone based on trust and before this can be shared, it must be authorised by the person who gave the information (Bob 2015). During the use of internet platform, one must be wary of the issue of libel which merely refers to written defamation of character, (Sandra and Dejong, 2013) it should also be considered whenever a post is being made. The effect of the post on the reputation of the person whom the public statement refers to should be examined. Libel most times involves discussing your opinions as if they were facts. For example; a nursing student posting a comment like “that nurse or doctor is practising with a fake license” is different from “that nurse is the worst nurse I have ever encountered”. the second statement is just an opinion while the first one is a fact and can harm the nurse being referred to in the comment. (Sandra and Dejong, 2013). Another disadvantage of social media sites and the internet, in general, is that it can distract nurses’ focus on their job. (Piscotty, et al., 2013). When nurses are interrupted by alerts from social media applications or trying to look up information online, it can pose as a distraction to them and can lead to miscalculation of a critical process like medication administration. This miscalculation can have severe repercussions which can be as grave as the death of a patient. (Jianlei and Bingbin, 2017). Nursing Students represent a vital part of the health sector. As soon as one enrols in a nursing school, the standards that bind all other health professionals also apply to the students. When students go on clinical placements, they interact directly with clients/patients and their family, senior nurses, doctors and all other clinical staff. They can perform duties like medication administration (mostly under supervision), helping a patient with personal grooming needs (bathing, toileting and dressing), dressing the bed and documentation. When performing duties that involve personal contact with the patient or the patient’s environment, it is vital to ensure that the patient consents to the activity. This may include things like assessment (example checking for vital signs like heart rate) where one must touch the patient and changing the sheets. (Alejandro, 2018). The basis of “informed consent” is following the nursing code of conduct; principle two (person-centered practice) which stipulates that a patient has to give a voluntary approval to the receipt of medical care. (NMBA, 2018). Nursing students are also expected to have clinical knowledge about their assigned patient diagnosis. The clinical knowledge will help them provide better care for their patient. It will help them detect very easily when a patient is deteriorating so they can inform the appropriate authority. When carrying out this research, it is paramount that students vigorously scrutinise the information obtained online, especially from social media. Social media offers a lot of benefits to nursing students; incorrect use can also lead to severe professional problems. Some case has emerged in the UK and US where students have had to undergo disciplinary actions for indecorous use of Facebook. The students posted a picture with a placenta on Facebook. They claimed to have gotten permission from a superior but were still expelled. (Campbell, 2010). These students were dismissed because their action was an invasion of the patient’s privacy and it violates principle 3 of the Nursing code of conduct (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, 2018). Therefore, as students, one needs to be very cautious about what we post on social media. If possible, always double check with someone before making a post. Only information from reliable and verifiable sources should be accepted. It is a widespread occurrence on social media to see statements that start with “research has shown that’ without this statement being backed up by any reference where the information can be accessed. 3

Students need to be aware that anything uploaded on the internet is always difficult to remove and can easily spread across a wide range of people. Even though students have the right to lead their personal life (and social media is part of their personal life), one needs to be aware of the image we present to others on social media. Any improper or unseemly behaviour/posts or comments on social media can affect one’s interaction with the patient, fellow students, teacher, employers and general professional image. The nursing professional standards should always be upheld during the use of social media. (AMA et al., 2010). The improper use of social media has a lot of adverse effects both on nurses, colleagues, and patients. As nursing students, our question should be “how do we make appropriate use of social media?”. According to Robert (2011), the best ways to curb the risks associated with social media use is to imbibe the laws that apply. In this case, section three of the national law and the Nursing regulatory body standards (NMBA code of conducts). It is also useful to know the Employers policy, follow Professional standards and use Personal judgement. Also, when making a post, there are a few things we must consider which will help prevent the issue of a breach of confidentiality and privacy. It is unethical to disclose a patient’s name, upload pictures, disclose your facility’s location as well as the time of the incident. Always generalise your posts and Avoid accepting friend requests from patients (Robert, 2011). In conclusion, social media can be of tremendous use for nurses to foster their professional lives by providing easy access to information, connection with friends and colleagues, advertising and so many other advantages (DeJong, S. M. 2014). Social media use can also have dire professional consequences and can bring harm to the nurses, students and people around them if not used appropriately. It is necessary to fully understand how to use the online platform being assessed and understand its privacy settings before having an active social media presence. Also, nursing students need to note their place as part of the nursing sector.

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REFERENCES AMA, NZMA, NZMSA and AMSA. (2010). Social Media and Medical Profession: A guide to online professionalism for medical practitioners and medical students. pp 1-14. Retrieved .March 20, 2019, from https://ama.com.au/sites/default/files/Social_Media_and_the_Medical_Profession_FI NAL.pdf Alejandro R., (2018). A Student Nurse's Duties. carrier trend Retrieved March 4, 2019, from https://careertrend.com/student-nurses-duties-2797.html Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) (2014). National board policy for registered health practitioners. social media policy. AHPRA. Retrieved March 2, 2019, from https://www.psychologyboard.gov.au/documents/default.aspx? record=WD14%2f13327&dbid=AP&chksum=PvNCit4JNxlpCjqOenrKvQ%3d%3d Bodhi, V., Kaur, J. (2017). Impact of internet use and academic performance. International Journal of Education and Management Studies, 7(4), 515. Retrieved March 20, 2019, from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy1.library.usyd.edu.au/docview/1986564268? rfr_id=info%3Axri%2Fsid%3Aprimo Campbell, M. (2010) Four Nursing Students Expelled from University after Posting Pictures of Themselves Posing with a Human Placenta on Facebook. Retrieved .April 4, 2019, from https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1343628/4-nursing-students-expelledposting-Facebook-human-placenta-pictures.html Sandra M., DeJong (2014). Blogs and tweets, texting and friending: Social media and online professionalism in health care. San Diego, CA, US: Elsevier Academic Press. Accessed March 2, 2019, from https://ebookcentral-proquestcom.ezproxy1.library.usyd.edu.au/lib/usyd/reader.action?docID=1273491 Jianlei, H., Bingbin, G. (2017). Advantages and disadvantages for nurses of using social media. Journal of primary health care and general practice. Retrieved March 20, 2019, from https://scientonline.org/open-access/advantages-and-disadvantages-fornurses-of-using-social-media.pdf#page=1&zoom=75,-377,842 Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. (2008). Code of professional conduct for Nurses in Australia. Melbourne: Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Retrieved .April 2, 2019, from http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/documents/default.aspx? record=WD17%2F23850&dbid=AP&chksum=L8j874hp3DTlC1Sj4klHag%3D%3D Piscotty R., Voepel-Lewis T., Lee, S. H. Annis-Emeott A., Lee E., Kalisch B (2013). To Tweet or Not to Tweet? Nurses, Social Media, and Patient Care. Nursing Management (Springhouse), 44(5), 52–53. DOI: 10.1097/01.NUMA.0000429012.15882.d9. Accessed April 4, 2019 Robert F. (2011). The Nurses social media advantage How Making Connections and Sharing Ideas Can Enhance Your Nursing Practice. Indianapolis; Sigma Theta Tau International. Pp 47-64. Retrieved March 4, 2019, from https://ebookcentral-proquestcom.ezproxy1.library.usyd.edu.au/lib/usyd/reader.action?docID=3383910 Statista (2019, January). Global digital population. Statista. Retrieved March 3, 2019 from https://www.statista.com/statistics/617136/digital-population-worldwide/

Walker, L. (2014). Promoting nursing's professionalism. Kai Tiaki : Nursing New Zealand, 20(3), 2. Retrieved April 2, 2019, from https://search-proquestcom.ezproxy1.library.usyd.edu.au/docview/1519493705? OpenUrlRefId=info:xri/sid:primo&accountid=14757 Work it daily (2012). Top social media sites for nurses. Accessed March 10, 2019, from https://www.workitdaily.com/social-media-sites-nurses...