Welcome and thanks for being here! I have already shared a little about myself in my e-Portfolio, but in my first blog for the Master of Health Studies program I am going to dive deeper into what defines me as a pharmacist and professional and how that relates to social media.
Reflecting on my professional identity and career as a pharmacist meant that I had to first define what is a professional identity. According to Adams et al. (as cited in Matthews et al., 2019), professional identity can be defined as "the attitudes, values, knowledge, beliefs, and skills shared with others within a professional group”. As a community pharmacist, I believe my professional identity comes from the Code of Ethics as set out by the Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board (NLPB) of which I am a member. The ethical principles defined in the Code of Ethics are the core of pharmacy practice and they are one of the first things we learn in pharmacy school. They are engrained in every aspect of the program and they set the tone for my career as a pharmacist.
I strive to uphold these ethical principles in my practice on a daily basis. Whether I am consulting with physicians and nurse practitioners about drug interactions, seeking advice from diabetes educators and dieticians, counseling patients about their medications, or administering immunizations and injections, my main concern is always what is in the best interest of the patient and their health. Ensuring quality patient-centered care while maintaining high professional standards is at the core of everything I do as a pharmacist.
At one time had thought that to embody professionalism as a healthcare provider one should maintain a minimal online existence; that to be a professional meant that one must not share too much of their personal life, views or opinions online. As a pharmacist in Newfoundland and Labrador, the use of both personal and professional social media platforms comes with policies and standards to which I must abide; failure to do so could result in disciplinary action (NLPB, 2018). As such, I am obligated to consider how any social media presence I have and postings I make could impact my profession, the public, and my reputation as a pharmacist.
Yet, in today’s society, having an online presence has become the norm. I have come to the realization that being professional does not have to mean being silent and invisible online, rather it can mean being a trusted voice that can cut through the noise, a source of reliable and credible information. It means knowing when and how to speak up in public forums and being transparent and accountable for your actions and words. These are the qualities that I value most in those I follow and seek out online; the ones that share information based in facts, are up front and direct, but also show compassion and understanding towards others with differing views.
It is a balancing act. And while it can at times be difficult to navigate appropriate use of social media, there is most definitely value in having a professional online presence. Social media is another tool that if used wisely, responsibly and within professional boundaries could be very impactful.
S.
References
Matthews, J., Bialocerkowski, A. & Molineux, M. (2019). Professional identity measures
for student health professionals – a systematic review of psychometric properties. BMC Medical Education, 308(19). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-019-1660-5
Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board (2021, March). The Code of Ethics.
Retrieved October 4, 2021, from https://nlpb.ca/media/Code-of-Ethics-Mar2021.pdf
Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board. (2018, May). Registrant Use of Social
Media. Retrieved October 4, 2021 from https://nlpb.ca/media/Practice-Policy-Registrant-Use-of-Social-Media-May2018.pdf
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