Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Ethical Social Media Usage amongst Dentists: A Cross-sectional Questionnaire-based Study

Introduction: Social Media (SM) has proven to be a valuable tool in various fields, including healthcare. However, its improper use can result in several ethical problems. Aim: To evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of ethical SM usage for professional purposes. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge at K.M. Shah Dental College and Hospital Vadodara, Gujarat, India between October 2022 and March 2023. A total of 319 respondents, including dental postgraduates, academicians, and dental practitioners, participated in the survey online through various SM groups. The questionnaire was created by analysing previous literature and reviewed by experts for accuracy. The survey comprised nine questions with three subsections to evaluate knowledge, attitude, and practice of ethical SM usage The survey was distributed through Google Forms, and the statistical analysis of the results was conducted using the Chi-square test (p<0.05). Results: A survey found that 238 (75.3%) of users have used SM for over five years. The most commonly used platforms are WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. A total of 153 (48.4%) knew about electronic protected health information, 156 (49.4%) knew about Digital Information Security in Health Care Act (DISHA), and 264 (83.5%) knew about consent's importance. A total of 227 (71.8% ) of dentists saw SM as a potential risk to patient privacy, but 248 (78.5%) took consent before sharing and 252 (79.7%) used de-identification measures before posting images. A total of 197 (62.3%) of individuals have not participated in any awareness or sensitisation programs regarding the ethical implications of SM usage. Conclusion: The study found dentists understand and prioritise patient privacy on SM. Regular training and policy updates are crucial for sensitising them regarding ethical use.