Professionalism & Boundaries in Use of Social Media

Professionalism & Boundaries in Use of Social Media is a CPD-accredited online course designed for healthcare professionals working in the United Kingdom. The course supports doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, and allied health professionals in using social media responsibly, ethically, and in line with regulatory expectations.

It is particularly relevant for professionals facing complaints, investigations, or fitness-to-practise processes, as well as those seeking to protect patient confidentiality, maintain professional boundaries, and uphold public trust in an increasingly digital environment.

Social media use by healthcare professionals is closely scrutinised by regulators and the public. Even posts made on personal accounts can raise concerns about professionalism, confidentiality, boundaries, conflicts of interest, and trust. Breaches — whether intentional or inadvertent — can lead to complaints, investigations, and serious regulatory consequences.

UK healthcare regulators expect professionals to apply the same standards of conduct online as they do in clinical practice. This course provides clear, practical guidance on navigating social media safely, reducing risk, and demonstrating insight and professionalism if concerns arise.

This course is suitable for UK-based healthcare professionals, including:

• Doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, and allied health professionals
• Professionals working in the National Health Service and the independent sector
• Registrants regulated by bodies such as the General Medical Council, General Dental Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council, General Pharmaceutical Council, Health and Care Professions Council, and other UK regulators
• Practitioners facing complaints, investigations, or fitness-to-practise proceedings relating to online behaviour or social media use
• Healthcare professionals seeking CPD evidence for appraisal, revalidation, remediation, or regulatory submissions

The course explores:

• Professionalism and ethical behaviour on social media
• Maintaining professional boundaries with patients and colleagues online
• Protecting patient confidentiality and avoiding indirect identification
• Managing conflicts of interest, endorsements, and promotions
• Cultural sensitivity, respectful communication, and public engagement
• Risks associated with social media use, including reputational and cybersecurity risks
• Regulatory guidance on online conduct and maintaining public trust
• Responding to social media-related complaints and investigations
• Fitness-to-practise processes linked to online behaviour
• Reflection, accountability, and remediation following concerns
• Developing a personal social media code of conduct to support safe practice

On successful completion of this course, participants will receive:

• CPD UK certified accreditation
• An accredited CPD certificate
• CPD evidence suitable for appraisal, revalidation, remediation, and professional portfolios

This course is aligned with online professionalism, confidentiality, boundary, and trust standards issued by UK healthcare regulators, including the General Medical Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council, General Dental Council, General Pharmaceutical Council, and Health and Care Professions Council.

It supports healthcare professionals in demonstrating professionalism, insight, accountability, and fitness to practise — particularly where social media use has been questioned.

This online course is relevant to healthcare professionals working across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, in both National Health Service and independent healthcare settings.