Social Licence of Vets

[ihatework]

Please keep this generalised people …. For hopefully obvious reasons.

Please also refrain from trying to take it into the realms of vet bashing.

Vets are human beings and you will get the whole spectrum of professional competence as any other industry. Vets will also have an array of personal strengths and weaknesses in addition to a range of mental health issues.

So I have a few questions:

1. Should professional social media sites/pages also include personal/amateur exploits?

2. What help/support/guidelines do vets receive in relation to social media use during their initial vet training and ongoing practice from the governing body?

3. What is the RCVS role/scope in overseeing social media use of their vets currently and is it adequate?

Would be good if any vets in the room could offer general thoughts

 

[ycbm]

IMO vets should be prevented by the rules of their profession from monetising veterinary content on their social media by becoming a general influencer.

If they become an influencer by virtue of their non-professional activities, fine, but they should be made to keep their veterinary content completely separate from their personal content.

Personal opinions about other people's treatment of their animals should not be allowed on either site.

Just my view, would be interested in others' views.
.

 

[HopOnTrot]

I’m not a vet but we do have our own business.

We are careful what we put on social media, we would never slate anyone else’s work or criticise it. Posts need to be helpful, informative and mostly opinion free!

But secretly I will judge you if you don’t service your boiler every year, especially oil boilers

 

[SEL]

I have a friend on FB who is a vet but she keeps her work totally separate from her personal life apart from the odd share of something pretty benign. She'd never dream of sharing about clients or other vets.

 

[meleeka]

I’m not a vet but we do have our own business.

We are careful what we put on social media, we would never slate anyone else’s work or criticise it. Posts need to be helpful, informative and mostly opinion free!

But secretly I will judge you if you don’t service your boiler every year, especially oil boilers

We are the same. We keep it informative and neutral. TBH I'm the same with my personal page. I'm rarely controversial and read more than post.

My vets FB personal page has the odd post about her competition successes and any big news, such as when her foal or children were born. Again, it's neutral and she doesn't presume that anyone wants to follow every minute of her day. The 'work' page has either information or funny/cute photos of patients. Again there are no opinions.

Personally I think it's unprofessional to spout opinions as fact, or bitch about anyone online. Fine if it's to your friends, but not on a public page. I think the RCVS should amend their guidelines and enforce their own rules.

 

[View]

1. Should professional social media sites/pages also include personal/amateur exploits?

2. What help/support/guidelines do vets receive in relation to social media use during their initial vet training and ongoing practice from the governing body?

3. What is the RCVS role/scope in overseeing social media use of their vets currently and is it adequate?

Would be good if any vets in the room could offer general thoughts

1. No, in my opinion professional and personal/amateur exploits should not be mixed.

2. I have no idea what guidance they do receive, but there really should be clear guidelines about how to stay out of trouble.

3. Again, no idea, so can’t comment on whether it is fit for purpose.

There are some obvious things that professionals in any field should or shouldn’t do e.g don’t get into an argument on social media, be courteous. Sometimes you are seething inwardly but have to respond in an impartial and professional manner.

 

[Wishfilly]

https://www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-sta...ng-forums/?&&type=rfst&set=true#cookie-widget These are the current social media guidelines, and these are the advertising guidelines: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-sta...upporting-guidance/advertising-and-publicity/

It does seem like the RCVS are happy for their vets to make money from social media endorsements, provided they follow certain rules.

That said, they are expected to behave "professionally"- I feel this is quite ambiguous and perhaps more guidance needs to be given on this?

I was given training on social media use as part of my PGCE (teacher training), I know it is different but I would expect e.g. Vets, Doctors, HCPs to be given the same.

 

[TPO]

I think anyone with an ounce of common sense can figure out the rights and wrongs of how to conduct themselves online, especially on a professional/business page. Never mind a business with a governing body and clear rules on conduct.

The problem is that common sense isn't a flower that grows in everyone's garden and you can't reason with narcissistic sociopaths. The governing body should be enforcing their rules.

I don't know how you draw thr "influencer" line. Look at "super () vet" flogging insurance policies now. He's using his standing to influence people so...

 

[ycbm]

The problem is that common sense isn't a flower that grows in everyone's garden and you can't reason with narcissistic sociopaths.

Well that about says it

Lovely to see you back on the forum TPO.
.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

I can only comment on what expectations I have of my own vet. He is very well known in the TB breeding field and also a very accomplished rider, although he no longer competes.

His Personal social media pages are very low key, the occasional pic of new foals, or a successful winner he has bred. He does not have a business page or website.

He does not gossip about his other clients to me and is always happy and humble enough to consult with other experts if he feels it will be helpful, he undoubtedly saved my old mare's life by consulting with colleagues in the UK when she had lymes disease.

I think a few vets could do with a dose of humility from time to time, it is sadly lacking in some we have here.

 

[Wishfilly]

I think anyone with an ounce of common sense can figure out the rights and wrongs of how to conduct themselves online, especially on a professional/business page. Never mind a business with a governing body and clear rules on conduct.

The problem is that common sense isn't a flower that grows in everyone's garden and you can't reason with narcissistic sociopaths. The governing body should be enforcing their rules.

I don't know how you draw thr "influencer" line. Look at "super () vet" flogging insurance policies now. He's using his standing to influence people so...

I think the rules on advertising for the RCVS seem pretty lax, and perhaps should be tightened up. I appreciate many vets sell e.g. certain pet foods in house, but I think it could be argued vets (and associated staff) don't need to be promoting anything online? I guess it's tricky because vet wages aren't great, and some RCVS members probably do top up their income this way, but I don't really think it's appropriate? I think the same for Doctors, to be clear!

 

[teapot]

1. No
2. I'd be really interested to know whether they've added social media training to the final year degree programmes
3. I'd imagine it's something quite hard to police/measure too unless they have a social media nosey parker to keep tabs. Though shouldn't be needed if all vets were professional online...

 

[Rowreach]

My vet can barely manage to text so I don't think he's likely to be influencing anyone on Facebook.

 

[criso]

I don't know how you draw thr "influencer" line. Look at "super () vet" flogging insurance policies now. He's using his standing to influence people so

That was my first thought. Are his activities OK because it's more traditional media?

What about James Herriott writing about his exploits. People would have known who he was and presumably recognised incidents and characters he was monetising.

 

[Goldenstar]

Quite a lot of vets professional sites will have stuff showing vets and what they get up to usually but not exclusively with their animals but it’s usually very low key stuff .

I think most vets have enough common sense to know where to draw the line .

I don’t think they need more regulation in this area they are vets not bishops and they are free to use social media as unwisely as anyone else.

Vets can market themselves as they choose clearly it’s legal for them to advertise themselves and to flog product
Chefs promote food products I don’t think vets are special in any way in this respect .

 

[ihatework]

I think anyone with an ounce of common sense can figure out the rights and wrongs of how to conduct themselves online, especially on a professional/business page. Never mind a business with a governing body and clear rules on conduct.

The problem is that common sense isn't a flower that grows in everyone's garden and you can't reason with narcissistic sociopaths. The governing body should be enforcing their rules.

I don't know how you draw thr "influencer" line. Look at "super () vet" flogging insurance policies now. He's using his standing to influence people so...

See this is where I find it interesting. Society as a whole is pretty good at moderating itself.

So if you were to get a hypothetical individual who was seemingly crossing a professional line - I see it as an increasing stepwise intervention.

You would hope close friends/family might intervene and guide the individual. However people with significant personality flaws have often developed those because of those closest to them. Either by being enabled or psychologically/emotionally unsupported.

So next on the ladder would be professional peers. Peers within your company might have a quiet word. Eventually management would/should step in. But if you choose to work independently that becomes more difficult. Naturally other vets will on the whole not want to get involved unless backed into a corner. They run the risk of professional backlash and quite frankly are juggling so many balls, that extra one they need like a hole in the head.

So then you are reliant on the RCVS. An organisation that like most others has such a broad scope, with limited finance and resources and a vet allegedly digging around in the murky world of social media will be very low on the priority list.

Even if the RCVS was committed to being at the forefront of the social media revolution then I personally feel their current guidelines have too many grey areas open to interpretation. If they want to protect the professional image then the guidelines firstly need to be much more explicit. They then need to communicate widely to the veterinary community their intentions to apply them and the penalties for breaching them. Only then can they really confidently enforce them.

I know a lot of vets. Some equine, some small animal. Some independent some employed. All but one keep separate personal social media account, the content is benign and only very is a veterinary related topic commented on or shared and even then it’s very top level. I’m not sure RCVS would have a huge volume of clear social media breach experience?? It would be fascinating to actually know the volume and their process for assessment. Pigs might fly first though.

 

[ihatework]

As for influencer / income from social media led sources. Whilst I personally find it a bit distasteful and it would probably sway me away from them as a client, I’m not sure I would lean towards a ban on it. Provided it’s made clear that the vet promoting a specific product was receiving something in return and, if that was income under a professional capacity rather than amateur capacity it was declared to HMRC, then I’m ok with it.

Orthopaedic celebrity vets advertising insurance products make me roll my eyes, but not as much as some of the procedures that they are proud to perform.

 

[little_critter]

I’m not a vet but we do have our own business.

We are careful what we put on social media, we would never slate anyone else’s work or criticise it. Posts need to be helpful, informative and mostly opinion free!

But secretly I will judge you if you don’t service your boiler every year, especially oil boilers

Thanks for the reminder!!

 

[Red-1]

I don't think they should have their pages policed so to speak, bit they should keep it becoming of their professionalism. If something is very wrong in what they are saying and compatibility with professionalism, I think their professional body should deal, or clients decide if this is the vet they want.



I'm interested... My boiler would malfunction each time it was serviced, but plod on when left. So, I tended to leave it. What happens when a boiler isn't serviced???

But secretly I will judge you if you don’t service your boiler every year, especially oil boilers

 

[meleeka]

As for influencer / income from social media led sources. Whilst I personally find it a bit distasteful and it would probably sway me away from them as a client, I’m not sure I would lean towards a ban on it. Provided it’s made clear that the vet promoting a specific product was receiving something in return and, if that was income under a professional capacity rather than amateur capacity it was declared to HMRC, then I’m ok with it.

Orthopaedic celebrity vets advertising insurance products make me roll my eyes, but not as much as some of the procedures that they are proud to perform.

I know on Instagram influenced have to make it clear something is an ad. I'm ok with that because they aren't trying to fool anyone. I presume Facebook is different?

 

[FieldOrnaments]

I'm interested... My boiler would malfunction each time it was serviced, but plod on when left. So, I tended to leave it. What happens when a boiler isn't serviced???

Also wondering this, haven't had mine serviced since it was installed over three years ago! (Judge away!)

 

[Rowreach]

My boiler has been on my mind ...

 

[ester]

For the most part IME they avoid putting any 'vetty' stuff on SM as they'd rather not get involved with stuff. I'll check in with the current 5th year to see if it gets mentioned at all, (cambridge so 5 of 6, but they have had the other wishy washy stuff recently )

 

[ihatework]

Also wondering this, haven't had mine serviced since it was installed over three years ago! (Judge away!)

I’m going to report you to RSoBSP

Royal Society of Boiler Servicing Police

 

[JenJ]

I know on Instagram influenced have to make it clear something is an ad. I'm ok with that because they aren't trying to fool anyone. I presume Facebook is different?

I don't think so - I think the advertising guidelines are general, not Instagram's own.

Recognising ads: Social media and influencer marketing

www.asa.org.uk

'Influencer marketing posts should be identifiable as ads without consumers needing prior knowledge of the influencer’s commercial relationships. Since social media posts are often viewed in isolation or in newsfeeds, the influencer’s ‘bio’ won’t always be visible alongside the post'

 

[Apizz2019]

I actually think it's lovely to see more of the person behind the vet, as we know them, but there is a very fine line that can be easily crossed.

I don't care about them monetising and/or being an influencer, as long as it is done appropriately.

For example, I would not expect to pts my animal, under the guidance of my vet, and then see them on FB, or whatever platform they use, telling my anonymised story to their followers, or sharing their views about how selfish choosing to pts is, a million and one things could and should have been done etc - you get the picture.

They're human just like us, and for the most part, our vets are amazing and we treasure them dearly but there are some who do cross the line, in my opinion anyway.

I think the RCVS should maybe monitor this closely somehow - maybe offer guidance and training on how best to use social media and not bring the profession in to disrepute.

Unfortunately, social media brings out the worst in some people, especially those with narcissist tendencies who are so enamoured with themselves, they fail to recognise they're a few steps away from throwing away years of study, hard work, and money, just to satisfy their own egos.

 

[FieldOrnaments]

The RCVS does have social media 'guidelines'. But I don't think they enforce it. Is there any way to see disciplinary action taken against vets as there is for doctors and nurses? It would be interesting to see if there are any cases whereby social media use has resulted in sanctions being given.

28. Social media and online networking forums

RCVS supporting guidance for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses on social media and online networking forums

www.rcvs.org.uk

 

[Apizz2019]

The RCVS does have social media 'guidelines'. But I don't think they enforce it. Is there any way to see disciplinary action taken against vets as there is for doctors and nurses? It would be interesting to see if there are any cases whereby social media use has resulted in sanctions being given.

28. Social media and online networking forums

RCVS supporting guidance for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses on social media and online networking forums

www.rcvs.org.uk

The RCVS regularly release articles about disciplinary action they have taken.

A vet nurse was recently struck off for claiming to be a veterinary surgeon and for making offensive and discriminatory remarks on Twitter/X.

You can see recent cases here. https://www.rcvs.org.uk/concerns/disciplinary-hearings/?&&type=rfst&set=true#cookie-widget

 

[Dave's Mam]

What happens when a boiler isn't serviced???

Oil boilers in particular can get sooted up, which is a fire hazard.

 

[FieldOrnaments]

The RCVS regularly release articles about disciplinary action they have taken.

A vet nurse was recently struck off for claiming to be a veterinary surgeon and for making offensive and discriminatory remarks on Twitter/X.

You can see recent cases here. https://www.rcvs.org.uk/concerns/disciplinary-hearings/?&&type=rfst&set=true#cookie-widget

ohh thank you so much, I wasn't aware of this. For anyone also not aware, the GMC and the NMWC have these

https://www.gmc-uk.org/concerns/hearings-and-decisions

https://www.nmc.org.uk/concerns-nurses-midwives/hearings/

I am glad the RCVS employs equal transparency in that regard at least