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# Social media and digital professionalism

- Topic

Online, a doctor is still a doctor: no patient data is posted, the boundaries of the relationship hold and only truthful information is shared.

Updated Nov 13, 2026

## Key points

- Never identifiable patient data on social media, even with the name hidden.
- Health data = sensitive data (Law 1581, art. 5).
- Post only truthful, proven information (Law 23, art. 60); declare conflicts of interest.
- Separate personal and professional profiles; be careful with online «friendships» with patients.
- Consultations go through clinical channels with a record, not direct messages.

## What it is

Social media lets doctors educate, fight misinformation and connect with colleagues, but it also exposes both patient and doctor. What is posted may stay forever and reach unexpected readers. The World Medical Association (statement of 2011, revised in 2022) asks that no identifiable patient information be posted, that the boundaries of the doctor-patient relationship be kept, that conflicts of interest be declared, that the tone be sober and rigorous, and that misinformation and pseudoscience be fought. In Colombia the usual rules apply in a new medium: professional secrecy (Law 23 of 1981, arts. 37 and 38), ethical and truthful advertising (arts. 55 and 60), colleagues' good name (Law 1164 of 2007, art. 37) and the protection of health data, which are sensitive data (Law 1581 of 2012, arts. 5 and 6).

## Key facts

- An «anonymous» case can be identified by the date, the place, a scar, a tattoo, the voice or a rare detail; secrecy covers everything seen, heard or understood (Law 23, art. 37).
- Law 1581 of 2012, art. 5: health data are sensitive data; art. 6: processing them is forbidden except with the holder's explicit authorisation or other legal exceptions.
- Law 23, art. 60: the doctor does not sponsor publications that do not match proven facts or that mislead.
- World Medical Association, International Code (2022), para. 35: be prudent when discussing discoveries or treatments in public settings, including social media, with accurate and understandable information.
- World Medical Association (2022): an online «friendship» with a patient can alter the clinical relationship; keeping personal and professional profiles separate is advised.
- Res. 1644 of 2026, art. 13: communicating with users through platforms requires authorisation, identification of both parties, confidentiality and data protection.

## In clinical practice

- A «faceless» photo of the emergency room shows the whiteboard with names or a wristband: it discloses the secret.
- Answering general questions in an educational video is useful; diagnosing a follower by direct message, with no history or examination, is not a safe consultation.
- Mocking a patient, even unnamed, damages trust in the whole profession.
- Publicly criticising an identifiable colleague's conduct breaches their good name; technical discussion belongs in professional settings and misconduct before the tribunals.
- Promoting a product without declaring payment is misleading advertising and a hidden conflict of interest.

## Legal framework in Colombia

- Law 23 of 1981, arts. 37 and 38 (secrecy), 55 to 60 (ethical and truthful advertising).
- Law 1164 of 2007, art. 37: the health team's right to a good name.
- Law 1581 of 2012, arts. 5 and 6: health data as sensitive data.
- There is no specific Colombian rule on doctors' social media; these general rules apply.
- Official texts verified on 2026-11-13 on funcionpublica.gov.co and minsalud.gov.co.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Is hiding the name enough to post a patient's case on social media?

No. Details such as the date, the place, a lesion or a tattoo can identify the patient; without explicit authorisation it is not posted (Law 23, art. 37; Law 1581 of 2012, art. 6).

## What kind of data is health information under Law 1581 of 2012?

Sensitive data (art. 5): processing it is forbidden except with the holder's explicit authorisation or another legal exception (art. 6).

## What does the World Medical Association recommend to a doctor sharing health content on social media?

Accurate, understandable information, a sober tone, declared conflicts of interest, no patient data, and active opposition to misinformation and pseudoscience.

## Why is it unwise to diagnose a follower by direct message?

Because there is no medical record, examination, identification or documentation, and the platform does not guarantee confidentiality; care must go through a clinical channel.

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## Connections

## Related 5

- [Professional secrecy and confidentiality](https://durgical.com/en/medical-ethics/professional-secrecy-and-confidentiality/)
- [Medical advertising and fees (Law 23 of 1981, arts. 22 to 25 and 55 to 61)](https://durgical.com/en/medical-ethics/medical-advertising-and-fees/)
- [Ley 1581 de 2012: personal data in health](https://durgical.com/en/medical-ethics/ley-1581-de-2012-personal-data-in-health/)
- [Professionalism and the virtues of a doctor](https://durgical.com/en/medical-ethics/professionalism-and-the-virtues-of-a-doctor/)
- [Conflicts of interest and relations with industry](https://durgical.com/en/medical-ethics/conflicts-of-interest-and-relations-with-industry/)

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Educational content on ethics and health law; not legal advice. Laws and case law change: each page links the official text and says when it was last checked. For a real case, read the text in force and ask a lawyer or the medical ethics tribunal.

Sources: [WMA Statement on the Professional and Ethical Use of Social Media (revised 2022)](https://www.wma.net/policies-post/wma-statement-on-the-professional-and-ethical-use-of-social-media/) (World Medical Association, 2022); [WMA International Code of Medical Ethics (2022), paras. 22, 24 and 35](https://www.wma.net/policies-post/wma-international-code-of-medical-ethics/) (World Medical Association, 2022); [Ley 23 de 1981, arts. 37, 38, 55 and 60](https://www.funcionpublica.gov.co/eva/gestornormativo/norma.php?i=68760) (Función Pública, Gestor Normativo, 1981); [Ley 1581 de 2012, personal data protection, arts. 5 and 6](https://www.funcionpublica.gov.co/eva/gestornormativo/norma.php?i=49981) (Función Pública, Gestor Normativo, 2012).

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/medical-ethics/social-media-and-digital-professionalism/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/medical-ethics/social-media-and-digital-professionalism/