The widespread use of social media, including healthcare workers such as hospitals and healthcare workers, can be a double-edged sword. Not being used wisely can lead to medical disputes and ethical violations.
Director of Prof Soedomo Dental and Oral Hospital (RSGM UGM), Dr. Julita Hendrartini, mentioned that while social media has benefits, such as expanding social networks, risks can lead to medical disputes and ethical issues, especially for healthcare workers.
“All healthcare workers must avoid legal problems and patient complaints in the future by using social media wisely,” Dr. Hendrartini said during a webinar titled “Wise Use of Social Media in Healthcare Services” held last Saturday (Jun. 8).
Anjar Umarjianto, Founder and Chair of the Indonesian Hospital Public Relations Association (PERHUMASRI), emphasized that healthcare workers hold significant responsibility and esteem in the eyes of the public as a noble profession.
Umarjianto outlined three critical ethics that healthcare providers, hospitals, and personnel should adhere to. The first is general understanding, where healthcare workers are advised against self-promotion, offending race, religion, ethnicity, or language, engaging in hate speech, and sharing unverified information.
The second is professional ethics, where each profession has a code of ethics that must be followed. The third is institutional ethics, which includes workplace ethics that maintain the institution’s dignity and adhere to the hospital’s promotional ethics.
According to MKEK decision 029/PB/K.MKEK/04/2021, there are 13 ethical guidelines for doctors using social media. One of the most important is using social media to address hoaxes or misinformation related to health or medicine, which is considered noble as long as it aligns with scientific truth, general ethics, professional ethics, and applicable laws.
“Currently, health-related hoaxes are the third most prevalent in Indonesia, requiring noble actions to correct such misinformation,” Umarjianto explained.
Dr. Hari Pudjo, an Indonesian Honorary Medical Discipline Council member, stated that dentists and hospitals can simultaneously be sued for ethical, disciplinary, and legal violations. For example, a dentist inviting the public to visit their practice violates the code of ethics.
“If a dentist claims to be able to perform all types of practices while being an orthodontist, they are committing a disciplinary violation,” he said.
Additionally, if a dentist’s practice harms a patient’s health or dental appearance, it can be considered a legal violation, as stated in articles 305 and 306 of the Republic of Indonesia Law No. 17 of 2023 concerning Health.
Dr. Pudjo mentioned that sanctions for healthcare advertising violations include administrative penalties for healthcare facilities, such as revocation of business licenses or practice permits.
“Any ethical or disciplinary violations that cause harm can be considered illegal,” he concluded.
Author: Dita
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Image: Freepik