This course explains how posts, comments, messages and private groups can lead to professional concerns, and what the UK health regulators expect of registrants online. It covers confidentiality, boundaries, discriminatory or offensive content, misinformation and advertising, and guides you through a reflection and remediation plan if a concern has been raised.
What you will learn
- Explain why professional standards apply to your online conduct, including in private accounts and closed groups.
- Identify the main types of online behaviour that lead to regulatory concerns, with examples.
- Apply a practical test before posting, sharing or commenting.
- Take appropriate immediate steps if a post has caused or may cause a concern.
- Write a reflection and remediation plan after an online conduct concern, supported by verifiable evidence.
Course content
- Why online conduct matters (1 min)
- What the regulators expect (2 min)
- Types of online behaviour that lead to concerns (3 min)
- A practical test before you post (2 min)
- Using social media well: health information and promoting services (3 min)
- Immediate actions and regulator expectations (2 min)
- Case study: a weak and a strong reflection (3 min)
- Building your remediation plan (1 min)
- Knowledge check (10 questions, 10 min)
- Guided reflection (15 min)
Standards and guidance covered
- GMC: Good Medical Practice (2024), including the sections on honesty, respect for patients and colleagues, and conduct online
- NMC: The Code (2015, updated 2018) and Guidance on using social media responsibly
- HCPC: Standards of conduct, performance and ethics (2024) and guidance on use of social media
- GPhC: Standards for pharmacy professionals (2017) and guidance on demonstrating professionalism online
- Equality Act 2010
- Advertising Standards Authority and CAP Code rules on advertising, including for health and aesthetic services
Certificate
Courses are free to study. When you pass the knowledge check (80%) and complete your reflection, you can buy a verified certificate showing your CPD time, with a unique ID and QR code that anyone can check on our verification page.
Study free at your own pace on any device.
Related guides
Professional Boundaries in Healthcare: Real-World Examples
Professional boundaries in healthcare explained with everyday examples: gifts, social media, self-disclosure, former patients and what UK regulators expect.
Social Media and Professional Conduct: What UK Nurses and Doctors Need to Know
Social media rules for UK nurses, doctors and HCPC professionals: what NMC, GMC and HCPC guidance says on confidentiality, boundaries and posting about work.
Practitioner Insight is an independent education provider. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the GMC, MPTS, NMC, HCPC, GPhC or any NHS organisation, and this information is not legal advice. If you have been referred to a regulator, speak to your defence organisation, trade union or legal representative.