The American Pharmacists Association (APhA)36 Code of Ethics for Pharmacists and the APhA-ASP/AACP37 Commitment to Professionalism are 2 documents that traditionally provide guidance on appropriate ethical and professional behavior. However, both were adopted before the advent of social media and are therefore somewhat open to interpretation when it comes to personal attitudes and behaviors in the virtual sense. The use of social media ranges from purely personal communication with friends and family to purely professional communication with colleagues and clients. Sometimes contexts overlap (e.g., Pharmacy student, sister of her sister, high school friend) and, when seen through social media, become inextricably linked.38 Because of this mix of public and private life, discussions about the ethical use of social media can quickly disintegrate into a seemingly endless network of controversy. The first ethical problems identified in the previous review4 have not yet been fully resolved and others have emerged. However, the identification and understanding of fundamental ethical issues has increased in part due to research on the subject and media attention. The heart of the ethical dilemma of social media is that social media is designed for social communication, which for most adults has traditionally been seen as a private and protected space. However, the inherent nature of social media makes this communication accessible to a wider audience. Once the information becomes public, how it is used is no longer under the control of the moderator. This fundamental dilemma is at the heart of the ethical debate, from which several other ethical questions emerge. These ethical issues can be categorized according to 5 main criteria: (1) Who sees social media information; (2) how social media information is accessed; (3) For what purposes is the social information used; (4) What are the criteria used to make a judgment about social media information? and (5) what is the nature of “relationships” on social media. To provide the reader with a concise understanding of ethical issues, the following sections provide a brief summary of these topics, including some of the key questions asked by pharmacists and other educators. 31.

Hodge MJ Commentary: The Fourth Amendment and Privacy Issues in the “New” Internet: Facebook.com and MySpace.com. 31 S ill ULJ 95 2006. Other potential legal entanglements arising from the use of new social media include civil liability for defamation, most likely defamation, fraud, labour law issues, identity theft, and student-related issues related to the Family Education Rights and Protection of Privacy Act of 1974.35 New social media can create a variety of potential legal entanglements for those who seek to use the Technology. A brief description of some of the issues is presented here only to make the reader aware of this potential, and not to discuss all facets of the potential challenges exhaustively or even comprehensively. It is preferable to discuss these issues with the institutional advisor in the context of particular circumstances. One of the key ethical questions is, “Is it acceptable for someone outside of a person`s social network to see that person`s information on social media?” While it can be argued that information posted online can be considered “public,” there is still an ethical question as to whether that “audience” is an “open audience.” Much of the conversation that takes place via social media is aimed at a select group of friends, colleagues, and cohorts. According to some, anyone who is outside of this audience and watches social media can violate the basic concept of the individual`s privacy. Questions of freedom of expression exist only when it comes to state action. One of the major decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court in this area established the rule that students` speech can only be restricted if it significantly disrupts the operation of a school.6 Privacy issues are closely related to privacy issues.

“There is a dual requirement as to the appropriateness of search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment: first, that an individual has demonstrated a genuine expectation of privacy and, second, that the expectation be one that society is willing to recognize as appropriate.” This has both subjective and objective dimensions.31 Consent is an exception to the expectation of privacy in the area of searches and seizures. The U.S. Supreme Court has always held that a person has no legitimate expectation in the confidentiality of information shared with a third party. In the area of health care, the privacy expectations contained in the 199632 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and the Economic and Clinical Health Information Technology Act are an additional consideration.33 The dissemination of patient-specific information via social media can be fraught with potential problems. It is important and mandatory to note that this discussion is for educational purposes only and is not intended to serve as legal advice. As in many areas of law, not all of these questions have precise and quick answers. While this often frustrates student pharmacists, the observation is also applicable here. The purpose of this discussion was to raise awareness of these issues among professors and administrators of pharmacy and other health professions, and to guide the debate on legal and ethical issues. Extensive discussions have not yet taken place to guide faculty members and administrators in decisions related to the use of social media by faculty members and pharmacy students.

How someone learns about someone else`s information on social media is an important ethical issue. It`s one thing to post information on social media from someone who has specifically granted access to it. However, it is another matter to access this information if it is presented by a third party, such as a classmate, colleague or competitor for an award, honor or job. Philosophically, many believe that information that is freely and voluntarily made available to the public can be examined regardless of how it is disclosed. Others believe that only information that has been expressly given access should be subject to judgment and interpretation. The ethical question that faculty members and administrators should ask themselves is, “If a student is actively trying to keep their online character secret from the authorities, should this information be used if it comes from someone else who has access to it?” Since this topic concerns legal and ethical issues, it is intrinsically appropriate for a somewhat negative and critical nature. However, social media tools can be a great way to build and maintain relationships between faculty, staff, schools, students, and alumni. They have the potential to improve communication and improve relationships with the college”`s “family.” At the same time, the opening of social media offers the possibility of ethically and legally difficult confrontations when one or more members of the “family” provide inappropriate information. Educators must take certain steps to protect themselves and the reputation and well-being of their students. Search and seizure issues related to cases based on the use of social media relate to the Fourth Amendment: The use of social media information to be considered in admission and employment decisions is a common topic of discussion.

Arguably, this information may be more revealing than can be found in transcripts, applications and interviews. Perhaps this information could lead to admissions committees making better decisions about candidates who present similar results or assessments based on the criteria listed above. Questions that contradict this perspective include: “Is it fair to judge some people`s information when other people`s information is inaccessible due to privacy features?” and “Is it ethical to use that information unless specified in the eligibility or employment criteria?” Some approach this issue by citing that the way you present yourself publicly in an online environment is an indicator of judgment and attention to detail.