Ethics Forum: Facebook Friend Request from Patient Raises Concern for Rheumatologist

Paul Sufka, MD, is a staff rheumatologist with Health Partners & Regions Hospital, St. Paul, Minn. Follow him on Twitter: @psufka.

Acknowledgment

The authors thank Dr. Jane S. Kang, MD, for her critical review of the manuscript.

References

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4. Snyder L. American College of Physicians Ethics Manual: sixth edition. Ann Intern Med. 2012 Jan 3;156(1 Pt 2):73–104.
5. Greysen SR, Chretien KC, Kind T, et al. Physician violations of online professionalism and disciplinary actions: A national survey of state medical boards. JAMA. 2012 Mar 21;307(11):1141–1142.
6. La Puma J, et al. When physicians treat members of their own families. Practices in a community hospital. N Engl J Med. 1991 Oct 31;325(18):1290–1294.
7. American Medical Association. Opinion 9.124—Professionalism in the use of social media. AMA Code of Medical Ethics.
8. Moubarak G, Guiot A, Benhamou Y, et al. Facebook activity of residents and fellows and its impact on the doctor–patient relationship. J Med Ethics. 2011 Feb;37(2):101–104.

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