Physicians on Facebook?

Op-ed: Physicians should not "friend" patients on Facebook.
Katherine Chretien writes in a USA Today (6/10) opinion piece, "As social media have redefined (read: near-obliterated) the distinction between personal and professional identities, physicians have been grappling with how to define our professionalism in the digital age. There are currently no national guidelines for social media use by physicians (although the American College of Physicians is reportedly in the process of devising some), and few medical schools have social media policies in place." But, "for many of us physicians on Facebook, the thought of opening up our personal pages filled with family photos, off-the-cuff remarks and potentially, relationship status and political and/or religious views to our patients gives us the heebie-jeebies." Chretien says that "at best, this could result in awkwardness," and at worst, it could destroy the "patient-physician bond."