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Abstract



Corresponding Author(s)

Bernadette Riley, DO, FACOFP, FILM Associate Professor

Department of Family Medicine

NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine Northern Blvd, Old Westbury, NY, 11568 Phone 516 686- 3989

Fax 516 686 3748

briley@nyit.edu

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As osteopathic family physicians, we have the privilege of taking care of patients. In a way, we already enter into a relationship with a patient the minute we walk through the exam door. Whether the osteopathic family physician chooses to communicate with their patients in a controlled, safe setting through social media avenues is their choice. There are guidelines available to help the physician see the dangers of social media, and also its potential positives. So the answer to the question outlined in the beginning of this article has not been answered. It is a personal choice, one that is not clear-cut, but neither is most of medicine. I am curious as to the number of osteopathic family physicians also experience this issue, and what they do in a similar situation.

B. Riley


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