Patient Attitudes Regarding Physician Accessibility via Social Media: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Raywat Deonandan, Priscilla Karnabi

University of Ottawa

This study examines patient attitudes toward physician accessibility and engagement via social media. A voluntary, cross-sectional online survey was conducted in 2013 among 227 adult participants recruited through social media platforms. Respondents were predominantly young, female, and Canadian, with high levels of social media use. While most participants reported neutrality regarding the impact of physician–patient interaction on social media, a substantial proportion expressed concern about potential harm to the professional relationship. The majority preferred traditional, in-person care and could not envision scenarios in which social media would be an appropriate substitute for clinical interaction. Privacy emerged as a dominant concern, with over half of respondents reporting high discomfort with online communication with physicians. LinkedIn was identified as the most appropriate platform for professional engagement. Overall, findings suggest cautious patient acceptance of physician social media presence, with strong expectations for maintaining professional boundaries, confidentiality, and separation between personal and professional identities.

Article link: https://www.asianinstituteofresearch.org/JHMSarchives/patient-attitudes-regarding-physician-accessibility-via-social-media%3A-a-cross-sectional-survey