Social Media Do's and Don'ts for Doctors - Part 2

In this episode of The Good GP, host Dr Ramya Raman continues the conversation with Dr Maria Li, a GP from New South Wales, on the practicalities and considerations for doctors using social media.

Dr Maria Li shares her last three practical principles for GPs using social media:

• Your Comments Are Your Content: Before posting a comment, ask yourself if you would be comfortable sharing it on your main feed. Avoid the temptation to argue online, and always pause before posting, recognising that even deleted content can be captured and shared.
• Never Make Fun of Patients: Do not make jokes or create humorous content at the expense of patients. Always consider whether you would be comfortable if a patient or colleague saw the post. Remember, public mockery can cause irreparable reputational harm and breach professional trust.
• Be Yourself and Post Authentically: Focus on sharing content aligned with your genuine interests and expertise instead of following trends or strict posting schedules. Post when you feel motivated and prioritise thoughtful, credible content over frequency to build a sustainable, reputable online presence.

Dr Maria Li also recommends familiarising yourself with the AHPRA social media guidelines and observing how other professionals interact online before getting actively involved.

Links & Resources:

• https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Resources/Social-media-guidance.aspx
• https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2025/14/social-media-is-media-a-crucial-reminder-for-doctors
• https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2025/21/social-media-for-doctors-popularity-is-not-respect
• https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2025/27/social-media-for-doctors-your-posts-should-reflect-your-judgement-not-your-stream-of-consciousness
• https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2025/30/social-media-for-doctors-making-fun-of-patients-is-never-ok
• https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2025/38/social-media-for-doctors-your-comments-and-messages-count-as-your-content

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