1. Purpose
This policy outlines the guidelines for the appropriate use of social media by PrimeCare Medical staff, contractors, students, volunteers, and affiliated healthcare professionals. It ensures compliance with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Standards for General Practices (5th edition) and relevant legislation, including:
- Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and Australian Privacy Principles (APPs)
- Health Records Act 2001 (Vic)
- Medical Board of Australia’s Code of Conduct
- AHPRA Social Media Policy
The policy aims to:
- Protect patient confidentiality and privacy.
- Maintain professional boundaries.
- Ensure responsible and ethical social media use.
- Mitigate risks associated with online engagement.
2. Scope
This policy applies to all:
- General Practitioners (GPs)
- Nurses
- Administrative staff
- Contractors and locums
- Students and volunteers
3. Social Media Guidelines
3.1 Professional Use of Social Media
- Staff may use social media for professional purposes (e.g., sharing health promotion messages) with prior approval from the Practice Manager/Principal GP.
- Any official clinic social media accounts must be managed by authorised personnel.
- Posts must be evidence-based, respectful, and align with the clinic’s values.
3.2 Patient Privacy & Confidentiality
- Never post identifiable patient information, including:
- Names, photos, or case details.
- Comments that could reveal a patient’s identity.
- Avoid discussing patient cases, even in private groups.
- Report any accidental breaches immediately to the Practice Manager.
3.3 Personal Use of Social Media
- Staff must maintain professional boundaries—avoid accepting friend requests from patients.
- Do not discuss work-related matters or make derogatory comments about patients, colleagues, or the clinic.
- Ensure personal opinions are not attributed to the clinic.
3.4 Responding to Patient Enquiries & Reviews
- Do not provide medical advice via social media. Direct patients to book an appointment.
- Respond to negative reviews professionally and privately (e.g., "Please contact our Practice Manager to discuss your concerns").
- Escalate serious complaints to the Practice Manager.
3.5 Prohibited Conduct
- Posting defamatory, discriminatory, or offensive content.
- Engaging in online arguments with patients or colleagues.
- Sharing misleading medical information.
4. Breach Management
- Violations may result in disciplinary action, including termination or reporting to AHPRA.
- All breaches must be reported to the Practice Manager.
5. Training & Compliance
- Staff will receive training on this policy during induction and annual updates.
- Compliance will be monitored through regular audits.
6. Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if legislation changes.