Published on
Updated
Reading 2 mins.
in collaboration with
Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director of Doctissimo)
Social networks are not only populated by influencers. There are also health professionals who have accounts with many subscribers, but whose content sometimes borders on the limits of ethics. Should these practices be condemned? The point of view of Dr Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor and medical director of Doctissimo.
Accounts of health professionals who are a hit on social networks, it does exist. But between those who advocate a few cha-cha-cha steps to regulate transit, colon hydrotherapy to lose a few pounds, or even a brand of medical devices, there is reason to ask questions. So precisely, what is the limit that a health professional must impose on himself, in terms of content, since he engages the image of his profession through his social networks?
Healthcare professionals recruited by influencer agencies
Health holds an important place for everyone and following the advice of a physiotherapist, a midwife or a doctor on their social networks has become obvious for many. Influence agencies have also taken an interest in these accounts with a very large number of subscribers or “followers”, seeing this as a way to promote these influencers of another kind, so that they are solicited by brands. A way for the latter to easily increase their visibility, by paying in addition the medical or paramedical guarantee of a health professional.
Pay attention to the image of the profession
In December 2020, a decree abolished a prohibition common to all health professionals subject to an order, who were prohibited from “all direct or indirect advertising processes“. An opening into which many health professionals have rushed, seeing there a reduction in the framework of their obligations. “It was misunderstood“says Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor and medical director of Doctissimo.Social networks cannot serve as a platform to do just anything. On the one hand, because we are human and we can talk nonsense; on the other hand, because the health professional cannot do just anything”.
The different Orders must take up the question
For the doctor, the Orders must take hold of the question. “We are faced with a no man’s land, a kind of zone of no ordinal law, where morality and probity have disappeared. A health professional should not take advantage of his image, we are not influencers” he hammers.
“We can – and we must inform about our care practices but not advertise, I recall once again article 13 of the Code of medical ethics”.
Article 13 (article R.4127-13 of the public health code)
“When the doctor participates in an action to inform the public of an educational, scientific or health nature, whatever the means of dissemination, he only reports confirmed data, shows caution and is concerned about the repercussions of his remarks to the public. It is not intended to profit from his intervention in the context of his professional activity, nor to benefit the organizations in which he exercises or to which he lends his support, nor to promote a cause that is not of general interest. “.