Welcome to Social Media Boundaries (SocialMedia)

Welcome to this course

A real, documented case: the GMC’s Interim Orders Tribunal imposed 18 months of conditions on a doctor over social media posts questioning Covid-19 vaccine safety and mask efficacy, ordering the posts removed and barring further comment. The High Court set that decision aside.

This course covers the real line between appropriate and inappropriate professional conduct online, with patients, former patients, and colleagues, grounded in current regulator guidance and real, contrasting cases, not a generic social media policy.

By the end of this course you will be able to

  1. Explain why digital conduct is assessed by the same professional standard as in-person conduct
  2. Recognise why personal accounts are covered by professional standards, not just professional ones
  3. Understand the real, practical risks around visibility and anonymisation
  4. Apply a genuine self-check before posting, commenting, or connecting with someone from your professional life

Who this is for

Any regulated health or social care professional. This is a genuinely common course, the underlying standard, that professional conduct online is assessed the same as in-person conduct, is consistent across GMC, NMC, GDC, HCPC, GPhC, and Social Work England.

Please read this first

This course explains the general standard on digital professional conduct. It is not legal advice. If you’re facing a live concern involving a social media post or online interaction, contact your defence organisation, union, or indemnity provider immediately.

Structure How this course is organised +

Four modules, three knowledge checks, and a final 12-question assessment. Score 80% to unlock your certificate.

  • Module 1 — why digital conduct is a real professional boundary
  • Module 2 — real cases, real consequences
  • Module 3 — the real, practical risks
  • Module 4 — a practical framework for digital conduct

Around 2 hours in total, worth 2 CPD hours.

Part of Professional Boundaries — Common Courses +

This course sits within CrownEthics’ Professional Boundaries library, alongside Professional Boundaries in Health and Social Care, and the wider Probity & Honesty library.

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