Social Media Guidelines
for Healthcare Professionals
Responsible and ethical use of social media for healthcare professionals in the Philippines — developed by the Philippine Digital Medicine Society (PDMS) to protect patients, uphold professional integrity, and advance digital health.
• Effective: April 08, 2026
• Sections: 9
• Pages: 8
• Target: All healthcare professionals
• Jurisdiction: Philippines
Section 1
Professionalism Online
Digital platforms are an extension of your professional identity. The same standards of conduct that apply in a clinic or hospital apply online — without exception.
1.1
Treat Digital Platforms as Professional Spaces
Apply the same principles of conduct online as in offline, face-to-face settings. Before posting, ask yourself: "Would I convey this in a professional setting or directly to a patient?"
1.2
Maintain Respect, Integrity, and Dignity
Ensure respect, integrity, and dignity in all online activities. Communicate clearly and refrain from attacking other content creators. Resolve disagreements through appropriate private channels.
1.3
Separate Professional and Personal Presence
Maintain a clear distinction between professional and personal online affairs. See the table below for guidance on how each differs.
Category
Professional Presence
Personal Presence
Identity
Real name, Title (MD, RN, etc.)
Nicknames, private handles
Privacy Settings
Public / professional page
Private / friends only
Patient Interactions
Public education / redirect to clinic
Strictly prohibited
Content Focus
Evidence-based, health-related
Family, hobbies, personal views
1.4
Digital Hygiene
Maintain basic digital hygiene — including Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) — to prevent account takeovers that could lead to the dissemination of harmful misinformation under your name.
Section 2
Content Creation
Healthcare professionals have a responsibility to share accurate, evidence-based information. Every piece of content published under your professional name carries the weight of your medical credentials.
2.1
Stay Within Your Expertise
Share information within your area of expertise, ensuring it is evidence-based. Collaborate with or seek guidance from specialists for topics outside your expertise. Use APA format when citing references.
2.2
Exercise Caution with Sensitive Content
Exercise caution with content that is humorous, sexual, sensitive, religious, cultural, political, or satirical in nature. Think before you post.
2.3
Include a Standard Disclaimer
Include a standard disclaimer in each post stating that the content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship.
2.4
Actively correct health misinformation when encountered, provided it can be done professionally and within your scope of expertise. When correcting misinformation, focus on the scientific inaccuracy — not the individual. Avoid public shaming, which may diminish public trust in the profession.
Section 3
Patient Privacy & Confidentiality
Patient privacy is non-negotiable. The obligation to protect patient information does not diminish on digital platforms — it is amplified by the permanence and reach of online content.
3.1
Obtain Informed Consent Always
Obtain informed consent before sharing any patient-related content — including content that has been anonymized. Patients must understand what will be shared and how it will be used.
3.2
Never Disclose Patient Information
Never disclose personal patient information in any form on any digital platform. This includes comments, responses, and live sessions.
3.3
Actively Protect Privacy in All Interactions
Actively protect patient privacy in all online activities — not just in primary posts but also in replies, story responses, and during live streaming sessions.
Section 4
Collaborations & Endorsements
Commercial relationships must be transparent, ethical, and compliant with Philippine regulations. Your credibility as a healthcare professional is not for sale.
4.1
Declare Conflicts of Interest
Actively protect patient privacy in all online activities — not just in primary posts but also in replies, story responses, and during live streaming sessions.
4.2
Product Endorsements are Prohibited
Direct personal endorsements of medical products for promotional purposes are prohibited. All sponsored content must be clearly labeled as such and comply with FDA Philippines regulations governing the advertising of medicines and medical devices.
4.3
Have Written Agreements Reviewed
Have written agreements thoroughly reviewed before signing. Seek legal counsel when necessary. Refrain from engaging in collaborations directly tied to political campaigns or partisan advocacy.
Section 5
Engagements & Interactions
How you engage online shapes public trust in the entire medical profession — not just in you personally.
5.1
Distinguish Health Education from Medical Advice
Maintain a clear distinction between Health Education (general information for the public) and Medical Advice (patient-specific guidance). Refrain from providing specific medical advice unless through an official medical channel. Encourage users to seek a formal consultation.
5.2
Respect Differing Opinions
When there is disagreement, opt for constructive discussion and intellectual debate. Avoid ad hominem attacks. Maintain harmonious and professional relationships among content creators and colleagues.
5.3
The Troll Policy
Exercise discretion when engaging with trolls or bad-faith actors online. Prioritize the safety and quality of the online community over winning an argument. Disengagement is a valid and professional response.
Section 6
Transparency & Honesty
Transparency is not optional — it is a professional obligation. Your audience trusts you because of your credentials. Honor that trust by being open about who you are and what you represent.
6.1
Use Your Registered Professional Name
Use your registered professional name when identifying yourself as a healthcare professional online. Do not use pseudonyms when representing yourself in a professional capacity.
6.2
Disclosure Placement
Disclose all affiliations and financial interests clearly. Disclosures should always appear at the beginning of any piece of content — whether video or text — before substantive content begins.
Section 7
Adherence to Regulatory & Institutional Policies
PDMS guidelines exist alongside — not instead of — existing regulatory frameworks. All healthcare professionals must comply with Philippine law and their institutional obligations.
7.1
Comply with Regulatory Bodies
Comply with guidelines from the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), and all other relevant regulatory bodies governing professional conduct.
7.2
Respect Institutional Policies
Respect institutional policies regarding online content and workplace conduct guidelines as set by your employer or professional institution. Local society and chapter requirements may be additional to statutory obligations.
Section 8
Continuous Self-Audit & Reflection
Publishing is not a one-time act. Healthcare professionals are responsible for the ongoing accuracy and currency of all content published under their name.
8.1
Regularly Review Published Content
Regularly review published online content to ensure ongoing alignment with these guidelines. If new evidence refutes previously shared content, publish an updated post promptly.
8.2
Respond within 24 Hours
Welcome feedback and address any inaccuracies promptly. Maintain an accessible and active channel of communication, with a target response window of 24 hours for substantive queries or corrections.
8.3
Update or Archive Outdated Content
When content is found to be outdated, inaccurate, or inconsistent with current evidence, update it with a visible note stating the date of revision and the nature of the change. Content that cannot be responsibly updated should be archived or removed.
Section 9
Responsible Use of AI in Content Creation
Generative AI is now a reality in healthcare communication. These guidelines establish the ethical framework for its responsible use — where the physician remains the author, and the AI remains the tool.
The Core Principle
Healthcare professionals remain solely responsible for any content published under their name — even if generated by AI. AI tools should be used as a drafting assistant, never as the final author. Professional judgment must always be applied before publication.
9.1 Human-in-the-Loop Accountability
You are responsible for all content published under your name, regardless of whether AI generated it.
9.2 Transparency and Disclosure
Clearly disclose when AI has been used to generate health advice, synthetic medical images, or educational content.
9.3 Fact-Check for Hallucinations
All AI-generated medical claims must be cross-referenced with peer-reviewed sources before posting.
9.4 Data Privacy in AI Prompts
Never input identifiable patient data into public AI tools. This violates patient confidentiality and the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (RA 10173).
9.5 Bias Awareness
AI content must reflect the diversity of the Philippine population — including age, skin tone, and socioeconomic context — to avoid perpetuating healthcare inequities.
Frequently asked questions
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