Teaching veterinary professionalism in the Face(book) of change Parts 1 2 and 3

Authors: Coe JB
Publication: Proceedings of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) Annual Conferences, Volume 2014 AVA Annual Conference, Perth, Issue Education, May 2014
Publisher: Australian Veterinary Association

---

Abstract: Research into veterinary students’ use of and attitudes toward social media, such as Facebook, reveals a need for developing educational programs to address online professionalism.1 Repeated findings suggest post-secondary students practice high self-disclosure of personal information via social media.2,3 Specifically, research evaluating veterinary students’ use of Facebook has found a significant proportion of students post content deemed inappropriate.4 Lack of discretion in posting content can have significant repercussions for veterinarians-in-training. Given the changing face of society brought on by social networking, veterinary educators need to consider their role in raising students’ awareness to the personal and professional risks associated with posting publicly available content to social media.

---