The Impact of Physician Social Media Behavior on Patient Trust

Abstract

Introduction: Institutions have developed professionalism policies to help guide physician social media behavior in light of professionalism lapses that have resulted in serious consequences. Prior research has gathered perspectives on online professionalism; however, the public’s views remain poorly understood. Importantly, the impact of physician social media behavior on patient trust is unknown. Methods: To determine whether patients’ trust might change based on their physicians’ social media behavior, we conducted a cross-sectional survey across three U.S. cities (n = 491). The survey assessed patient trust using hypothetical scenarios. Results: Most respondents reported they would have less trust if their physician posted racist comments online, wrote a disrespectful patient narrative, appeared intoxicated in a photograph, or wrote profanity. Respondent age and education impacted change in trust. Conclusions: We conclude that physicians’ social media behavior may affect patient trust. Better understanding of how physicians’ online presence impacts their relationships with patients can help guide policy and inform educational efforts.

Keywords:

• Professionalism
• communication
• doctor–patient relationships

Conflicts of interest

None.

Ethical approval

This study was approved by the institutional review board(s) at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, George Washington University, University of California at San Francisco, and Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Javad J. Fatollahi

Study conception: Agarwal, Chretien, Colbert, Lee, L. Lehmann. Study design: Agarwal, Chretien, Colbert, Fatollahi, Lee, L. Lehmann, Yuan. Data collection: Fatollahi, E. Lehmann, Yuan. Data analysis: Lee. Drafting and critical revision of article: all authors.

James A. Colbert

Study conception: Agarwal, Chretien, Colbert, Lee, L. Lehmann. Study design: Agarwal, Chretien, Colbert, Fatollahi, Lee, L. Lehmann, Yuan. Data collection: Fatollahi, E. Lehmann, Yuan. Data analysis: Lee. Drafting and critical revision of article: all authors.

Priyanka Agarwal

Study conception: Agarwal, Chretien, Colbert, Lee, L. Lehmann. Study design: Agarwal, Chretien, Colbert, Fatollahi, Lee, L. Lehmann, Yuan. Data collection: Fatollahi, E. Lehmann, Yuan. Data analysis: Lee. Drafting and critical revision of article: all authors.

Joy L. Lee

Study conception: Agarwal, Chretien, Colbert, Lee, L. Lehmann. Study design: Agarwal, Chretien, Colbert, Fatollahi, Lee, L. Lehmann, Yuan. Data collection: Fatollahi, E. Lehmann, Yuan. Data analysis: Lee. Drafting and critical revision of article: all authors.

Eliyahu Y. Lehmann

Study conception: Agarwal, Chretien, Colbert, Lee, L. Lehmann. Study design: Agarwal, Chretien, Colbert, Fatollahi, Lee, L. Lehmann, Yuan. Data collection: Fatollahi, E. Lehmann, Yuan. Data analysis: Lee. Drafting and critical revision of article: all authors.

Neal Yuan

Study conception: Agarwal, Chretien, Colbert, Lee, L. Lehmann. Study design: Agarwal, Chretien, Colbert, Fatollahi, Lee, L. Lehmann, Yuan. Data collection: Fatollahi, E. Lehmann, Yuan. Data analysis: Lee. Drafting and critical revision of article: all authors.

Lisa Soleymani Lehmann

Study conception: Agarwal, Chretien, Colbert, Lee, L. Lehmann. Study design: Agarwal, Chretien, Colbert, Fatollahi, Lee, L. Lehmann, Yuan. Data collection: Fatollahi, E. Lehmann, Yuan. Data analysis: Lee. Drafting and critical revision of article: all authors.

Katherine C. Chretien

Study conception: Agarwal, Chretien, Colbert, Lee, L. Lehmann. Study design: Agarwal, Chretien, Colbert, Fatollahi, Lee, L. Lehmann, Yuan. Data collection: Fatollahi, E. Lehmann, Yuan. Data analysis: Lee. Drafting and critical revision of article: all authors.