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Professionalism and Social Networking: Can Patients, Physicians, Nurses, and Supervisors All Be ‘Friends’?
Management Faculty Research
  • Joy Peluchette
  • Katherine Karl
  • Alberto Coustasse, Marshall University
  • Philip Rutsohn, Marshall University
  • Dennis Emmett, Marshall University
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
12-1-2011
Abstract

This study examines the use of Facebook by certified nurse anesthetist students. Our results showed that, contrary to expectations, most were neutral about faculty, physicians, and supervisors viewing their Facebook profiles but expressed concerns about patients seeing such information. Many (30%) of our respondents had observed unprofessional content posted on the social network sites of their classmates including: intoxication or substance abuse, profanity, sexually suggestive photos or comments, and negative work-related comments. A vast majority indicated they would accept a ‘friend’ request from their supervisor and a physician but not a patient. Surprisingly, about 40% had initiated a ‘friend’ request to their supervisor and/or physician they work with. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Comments

Presented at the Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management Conference (ANZAM 2011), Wellington, New Zealand., December, 2011.

Slides presented during this talk have been included as a supplemental file.

Copyright © 2011 the authors. All rights reserved.

Citation Information
Peluchette, J., Karl, K., Coustasse, A., Rutsohn, P., Emmett, D. Professionalism and social networking: Can patients, physicians, nurses, and supervisors all be 'friends'? Paper presented at the Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management Conference (ANZAM 2011). Wellington, New Zealand. 2011 Dec.