Opportunities and challenges of using social media communication in patient care and counselling in family practice: a scoping review and ethical analysis.

Background: Healthcare professionals frequently use social media in interacting with colleagues or patients. The aim of this review is to provide a conceptual analysis of ethical issues related to utilization of social media in patient care and health professional training.Methods Using a scoping review, electronic databases (PubMed, HINARI, Google Scholar and ERIC) were searched for publications on use of social media (especially Facebook and WhatsApp) during patient care. Challenges and opportunities faced by users (patients, educators and healthcare professionals) were analyzed.Results Communication between patients and healthcare professionals using WhatsApp and Facebook can improve patient care through improving patients’ understanding of and coping with their illness in family practice. It may also improve the learning environment, increase learning opportunities, complement the teaching/learning process, and enhance professional networking and performance. This presents potential risks and burdens to all related to the technology, user behaviors and nature of interactions. The ethical challenges affect data quality, security and effectiveness of the media.Conclusion Users of WhatsApp and Facebook for communication of educational or patient care-related matters should recognize ethical challenges related to using these media platforms in family practice. User preferences for exchange of medical care-related information or educational material should be sought and respected.