professional communication

Professional Communication and Social Media

  • Course: OCCU 5003 - Dimensions of Professional Practice

  • Instructor: C. Crystal Dieleman, 2023

  • Institution: Dalhousie University

Outline of Topics

  • Communication as Competency & Professional Behaviour

  • Communication Skills

    • Self-reflection

  • Social Media Guidelines & Policies

  • Professional Misconduct

Culture Shift

  • Generational Challenges

    • Skills that Generation Y and Generation Z lack, termed "What You Won't Learn in School."

Communication & Collaboration (COTC)

  • B1: Effective Communication

    • Organize thoughts and present professional views clearly

    • Foster exchange for mutual understanding

    • Use appropriate communication approaches for context and client needs

    • Address power imbalances in relationships and communication

Communication – Professional Behaviour Rubric

  • Effective Language Use

    • Match language to context and audience

  • Body Language

  • Line of Communication

  • Ethical Electronic Communication

Essential Communication Skills in Practice

  1. Conduct professional phone calls

  2. Deliver presentations (in-person and virtual)

  3. Engage in group discussions

  4. Active listening and note-taking

  5. Draft professional emails

  6. Teach skills clearly

  7. Network with new acquaintances

  8. Respectfully listen to others' experiences

  9. Communicate skill limitations and seek help

  10. Schedule meetings

  11. Use videoconferencing technology effectively

  12. Avoid social media during work hours

Enhancing Communication Skills

  • Active Listening

    • Focus on understanding rather than just replying

  • Non-verbal Communication

    • Be attentive to body language and cues

  • Emotional Management

    • Express emotions appropriately and avoid strong feelings in professional settings

  • Feedback

    • Request input from colleagues to gauge communication effectiveness

  • Public Speaking Practice

    • Regular engagement in speaking to groups

  • Development of a Filter

    • Understanding appropriateness of expression in contexts

Types of Social Media

  • Social Networking Platforms

    • Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat

  • Professional Networking

    • LinkedIn

  • Media Sharing

    • YouTube, Flickr

  • Content Production

    • Blogs and micro-blogs

  • Knowledge Aggregation

    • Wikipedia

  • Online Gaming & VR

    • Role-playing games (RPGs)

Governing Documents

  • Guidelines for Student Use of Social Media

  • Nova Scotia Health Social Media Policy

  • COTNS Practice Guideline: Social Media

Professional Misconduct (Case Study)

  • Strom v Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association, 2020

  • Key points:

    • Public trust and respect for the profession

    • Freedom of expression and autonomy

    • Evaluation of off-duty conduct based on context

  • Definition of professional misconduct considering personal and professional conduct nexus.

Benefits of Social Media

  • Networking Opportunities

  • Professional Development

  • Organizational Promotion

  • Client Care and Education


  • Highlighting Social Issues(Sources: Ventola, 2014; Campbell, 2023)

Mitigating Risks of Social Media

  • Evaluate probability and degree of harm in social media activities.

Crossing Professional Boundaries

  • Maintain separation between personal and professional social media

  • Set boundaries regarding client interactions online

  • Communicate and establish these boundaries clearly with clients

  • Utilize privacy settings effectively

Conflict of Interest

  • Avoid client testimonials on social media pages

  • Do not engage with third-party vendor pages

  • Follow advertising guidelines and client communication rules

Breach of Confidentiality and Privacy

  • Sharing identifiable client information violates PHIA

  • Obtain consent before client engagement on social media

  • Never post health information or client identities

  • Discuss with clients directly when possible

Trust and Confidence

  • Unprofessional conduct reflects on the profession as a whole

  • Maintain professionalism in personal and professional online interactions

  • Practice "pause before you post"

  • Regularly review online presence and content

Future Considerations

  • Therapeutic Use of Self in Professional Settings