Abstract:

Background: Social media has become a powerful influence on communication in the pediatric critical care environment, used widely by medical and nursing staff, older children and adolescents, and the parents of the children we care for. Social media impacts on communication between healthcare professionals, and communication with families, and create difficulties for all concerned. It may also impact on patient care. It does not yet have an etiquette or set of standards around its use, and there are potential hazards to the widespread sharing of personal information. 

Objective: To describe the positive and negative impact of social media on communication in the Pediatric intensive Care Unit (PICU).

Materials and Methods: This is a case study, with an illustrative description of a critically ill child in the (PICU) who is waiting for heart transplantation and the broad range of social media issues encountered during the child’s care. 

Discussion: The dynamics of social media as a potential influence on communication and relationships across the pediatric critical care team and the child and their family are discussed. A strategy to create positive communication is outlined.