top of page

Assignment 1: Professionalism

Healthcare practitioners communicate with patients on a daily basis. These interactions can be easily influenced by the practitioners professional and personal values/identity. The big question is, what is the difference between professional and personal values/identity? Personal values are often choices that effect someone individually while professional values are often guided by their occupation or selected by the occupation to shape the groups identity (Moyo et.al, 2016). If a health professionals core values are related personally and professionally, it has been shown that there is an increase in work place satisfaction (Melrose et.al, 2018).

(Melrose et.al, 2018)

Both professional and personal values of healthcare practitioners can influence patient care (Moyo et. al, 2016). Studies show that effective communication, grounded by core values improves the overall health outcome for the patient. These core values are; compassion, respect for persons, commitment to excellence and justice in healthcare (Rider et.al, 2014). The Canon's of Ethics for my profession closely resemble these core values. As an Orthotist our professional core values are listed in our Canons of Ethics to ensure each patient interaction is upheld to the highest standards. The Canons of Ethics list three main categories that are of importance.

(Canons, 2016)

These professional values should be instilled in all patient interactions including online interactions through social media. Patient interactions have typically always been behind clinical doors. However, patient interactions are now often online via social media, sometimes even without the healthcare professionals knowledge.

"Currently more then 40% of the health care consumers, utilize social media for their healthcare information needs.... 90% of the health care consumers in the 18-24 age group utilize and believe health care information presented in the social media.. 41% of the healthcare consumers chose social media to decide on their health care providers." (Surani et al. 2017)

Interactions online are meant to enhance the relationship with the patient not to replace or disintegrate. How you present yourself on social media should always coincide with your personal and professional values to maintain a professional relationship with your patients, colleagues and other professionals. The American Medical Association released guidelines in 2010 on the ethical use of social media (Kind, 2015). The use of social media has been found to have positive and negative effects to current healthcare. As long as proper precautions are taken, the positive effects out way the negatives.

(Smith et al, 2017)

(Surani et al, 2017)

Social media is a great tool in so many aspects of healthcare and has really shaped healthcare the past few years. Social media is an avenue that many professionals use to advocate for their profession, so the general public is aware of who they are and what they do. One of the main purposes of this E-Portfolio is to illustrate social media in healthcare, discuss professional values and identity and explain my role within the health system. A lot of people do not know what an Orthotist is. The role of the Orthotist is to provide comprehensive care for individuals who have some form of motor or sensory disability. (Certified Orthotist, 2016). Certified Orthotists are regulated by Orthotics Prosthetics Canada (OPC) and become certified through the Canadian Board for Certification of Prosthetists and Orthotists (CBCPO). The devices that are fabricated for patients with disabilities by a Certified Orthotist is funded through the provincial budget. Each province has its own funding source which varies in re-imbursement. In Ontario the program for these devices is called the Assistive Devices Program (ADP) which is funded through the Ministry of Long Term Health (Canada's Health, 2018). Federal funding will fund devices for specific groups such as Aboriginals through Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) or Veterans through Veterans Affairs.

The take home message from this blog post is to respect the use of social media as a tool to benefit the patient and you professionally. However, there needs to be awareness of the appropriate ethics and regulations associated with social media and healthcare.

References

_____________________________________________________________________________

Assistive Devices Program. (2017, December 6). Retrieved from http://www.auditor.on.ca/en/content/annualreports/arreports/en09/301en09.pdf

Certified Orthotist. Received April 2016. https://opcanada.ca/_uploads/56e35h15h.pdf

Gordon, P., Kerzner, L., Sheldon, T., Hansen, E. (2007, June). Assistive Devices In Canada: Ensuring Inclusion and Independence. Retrieved from http://www.archdisabilitylaw.ca/sites/all/files/ASSISTIVE%20DEVICES%20FINAL%20REPORT%20(incl.%20exec%20summary)%20-%20June%2029%202007%20-%20PDF.pdf

Kind, T. (2015). Professional Guidelines for Social Media Use: A Starting Point. American MedicalAssociation Journal of Ethics, Volume 17 (5). 441-447. Retrieved from http://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/2015/05/pdf/nlit1-1505.pdf

Melrose, S., Park, C. & Perry, B. (2015). Creative clinical teaching in the health professions. Retrieved from http://epub-fhd.athabascau.ca/clinical-teaching/

Moyo, M., Goodyear-Smith, F.A., Weller, J., Robb, G. & Shulruf, B. (2016). Healthcare Practitioners' Personal and Professional Values. Adv in Health Sci Educ, Volume 21. 257-286.

Rider, E.A., Kurtz, S., Slade, D., Esterbrook Longmaid III, H., Ho, M.J., Kwok-Hung Pun, J., Eggins, S., Branch Jr, W.T. (2014). The International Charter for Human Values in Healthcare: An Interprofessional Global Collaboration to Enhance Values and Communication in Healthcare. Patient Education and Counseling, Volume 96. 273-280.

Smith, J.N., Coffin, Janis. (2018, April/May 2018). Social Media, Physicians, and Points to Consider. Retrieved from http://www.podiatrym.com/pdf/2018/4/SmithCoffin418web.pdf

Surani, Z., Hirani, R., Elias, A., Quisenberry, L., Varon, J., Surani, S., Surani, S. (2017). Social Media Usage Among Health Care Providers. BMC Research Notes, Volume 10. 654.


bottom of page