{"id":19447,"date":"2021-04-23T14:13:59","date_gmt":"2021-04-23T21:13:59","guid":{"rendered":"https://www.realself.com\/news\/?p=19447"},"modified":"2024-02-16T09:52:33","modified_gmt":"2024-02-16T17:52:33","slug":"doctor-social-media-posts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https://www.realself.com\/news\/doctor-social-media-posts","title":{"rendered":"What You Need to Know If Your Doctor Asks to Post Your Photos on Social Media"},"content":{"rendered":"

For most of us, social media is a normal part of our day-to-day lives, whether we’re actively posting, passively scrolling, or doing a little bit of both. And in the medical aesthetics world, social media has added a new layer to the experience, both for doctors and patients. “These days, most practices, particularly cosmetic practices, are on social media. It’s a great way to be able to interact with patients and highlight what we’re doing in the office,” says New York City board-certified dermatologist Dr. Bruce Katz<\/a>. <\/p>

Dr. Amelia Hausauer<\/a>, a board-certified dermatologist in Campbell, California, agrees, noting that more and more patients are using social media as a tool to help find the best doctor for them. However, this added dimension comes with its own set of nuances, particularly as it pertains to patients’ rights when their faces and\/or bodies are being shared on Instagram, Facebook, and more. Ahead, what you need to know before you sign a consent form and what to do if you find yourself in a situation where your doctor is pressuring you to be on their social media account. <\/p>

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Patients have explicit rights to privacy<\/strong><\/h2>

“The law is pretty clear. A doctor can’t share photos or videos of a patient, unless that patient has specifically agreed to it,” says Michael Byrd, a Dallas-based attorney specializing in medical aesthetics. Whereas standard HIPAA laws safeguard privacy as it pertains to personal health information, these don’t account for using your likeness, be that on social media, on the TV in the office waiting room, or even in educational materials, he says. For this, there has to be specific authorization given, typically via an additional written consent form. <\/p>