Keck School of Medicine – Social Media Guidelines for Students Enrolled in Clinical Degree Programs

April 3, 2024

The Keck School of Medicine (Keck School) is committed to the right of its students to engage in free expression and inquiry as articulated in the USC Policy on Free Speech.

Keck School students enrolled in clinical degree programs that prepare them to provide patient care[1] have special responsibilities to express themselves and use social media (X, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Blogs, listservs, message boards, and other established or emerging media sites) in ways that are consistent with the licensure and professionalism requirements of the profession.

• Students are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the professionalism expectations and technical standards of their programs at all times. Students’ social media profiles reflect upon them, the Keck School, Keck Medicine of USC, and the University of Southern California.

• • When enforcing professionalism codes, Keck School programs will do so in a way that is consistent with and mindful of students’ legally-protected free expression rights.  However, students should be aware that legal protections for student speech are not without limits.  In addition to the categories of unprotected speech that generally apply (and which are summarized on the USC Free Expression website), students training to provide professional care to patients should exercise careful judgment before engaging in expressive activities: (1) that may be inconsistent with the licensure and ethical standards of the profession they are training for; (2) that could interfere with or compromise the safety, care, privacy, or dignity of patients; or (3) that, in the reasonable academic judgment of the Keck School faculty, may indicate that the student is unfit or unqualified for the profession they are training for.
• Social media communication must never contain information that includes a patient identifier (names, photographs) or any other personal health information.  
• Students must never take photographs or videos in a clinical setting for the purposes of social media distribution. 
• To the extent a student indicates their relationship with the Keck School, USC, or any affiliated clinical site on their social media account, the student should also include disclaimers stating that their posts represent their own personal views only.  Students may not misrepresent their level of training or licensure status, or use their social media platforms to offer medical advice.
• The material provided to students in academic settings is copyright protected. This material may not be distributed on social media without permission. This includes, but is not limited to, schedules, lecture slides, and photos of faculty and staff.
  Students should review and keep in mind  guidance published by the professional association for the profession they are training for:

• • AMA Code of Medical Ethics Opinion 2.3.2 (Professionalism in the Use of Social Media) 
  • ANA Social Media Principles
  • AAPA Social Media Guidelines for PAs and PA Students
  • ASHA Issues in Ethics: Ethical Use of Social Media
  • AMSA Social Media Guidelines for Medical Students and Physicians

For additional information please contact the KSOM Head of Social Media, Laura Nickerson, at lauranic@med.usc.edu.

[1] The Doctor of Medicine (MD) program, the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP), the Master of Physician Assistant Practice (MPAP), and the Master of Science in Speech-Language-Pathology (MS-SLP).