Security For The Digital Doctor
Four rules for physicians who want to securely engage online without ruining their reputations – or careers.
By John W. Little, manager of physician relations, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
As physicians rush to embrace social media, their online visibility is rising and the factors that influence reputation are changing. With growing visibility comes growing risk and the real potential that a lifetime of work could be negatively impacted by a single misguided mouse click.
Imagine discovering that the social media accounts you use to promote your work or practice have been used to promote illegal internet pharmacies, or that your patients have received an email from your account directing them to purchase and take illegal drugs. Now imagine the potential negative impact that communication, seemingly from a trusted physician, could have on your patients or your social media audience. Imagine also the potential legal implications. When all is said and done your tarnished reputation may be the least of your concerns. Lives could be at stake.
This scenario may sound far-fetched, but it is not. These types of cyber attacks take place countless times per day. Unfortunately, executing them is trivial if a hacker is malicious and motivated. Luckily, the vast majority of these threats can be defeated with basic knowledge, awareness, and changes in behavior.
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