Proponents of the use of social media in healthcare are angry about efforts by regulatory bodies in Australia to develop a social media policy for health professionals.

A preliminary consultation paper on a draft policy was leaked recently ahead of its planned release for public consultation later this year,1 provoking a storm of commentary on health professionals’ blogs and on Twitter.

Doctors and other health professionals say that the draft policy risks putting up barriers to the use of social media to improve healthcare and services and to promote public health.

The 14 national boards that regulate the health professions asked for preliminary feedback on the policy to be made to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency by 14 September. The issue is to be considered as part of an upcoming review of the boards’ codes and guidelines for …