Social Media in the Medical Laboratory Workplace: A Literature Review

Abstract

Social media has become a source of debate in the medical laboratory community as to what is appropriate and what is inappropriate for sharing through online communication. As of today, more and more medical institutions are reaching outside their secure network in soliciting social media forums, like Twitter and Facebook, to actively engage and directly communicate with their constituents, patients or staff. In addition, institutions are generating original content and encouraging discussion about their techniques and services through blogs and chat rooms on their websites. The ever-expanding world of social media has become a contentious subject for many institutions, as their employees' usage may blur the lines between what is professional and personal in the workplace. Although it still applies, social media creates the effect that it removes boundaries regarding privacy and confidentially as seen in the workforce setting. Despite the relatively widespread adoption of social media among medical institutions, many lack internal policies or systems to adequately address protocol of when, how and where to use social media. Reciprocally, as the number of smartphones, tablets and personal laptops increase in usage, so will the use of social media in the medical laboratory workplace. Undoubtedly, as this increase occurs, the establishment of policies and procedures will be essential in addressing proper protocol regarding social media usage in the workplace.