New DHA Guidelines Mandate Separate Social Media Profiles for Dubai Healthcare Professionals
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has introduced a strict set of standards for healthcare professionals regarding medical advertising on social media. Under these new regulations, doctors and medical staff are required to maintain distinct personal and professional social media accounts to ensure boundaries are kept intact. The authority explicitly advises against any interaction with current or past patients through private profiles, emphasizing that professionals must only utilize titles and credentials exactly as they appear on their official DHA license. Furthermore, anyone using the prefix "Dr." must hold the appropriate medical or doctoral qualifications, as the DHA aims to eliminate any confusion regarding professional expertise.
Beyond administrative structure, the new guidelines place a heavy emphasis on ethical communication and patient protection. Professionals are obligated to share information that is fact-based, transparent, and grounded in reputable scientific research, while clearly disclosing any potential conflicts of interest or financial affiliations. Patient privacy remains a top priority, with strict prohibitions against sharing identifiable data or images without explicit, verified consent. Ultimately, these standards serve to prevent misleading advertising and fear-based tactics, ensuring that healthcare providers remain fully accountable for the content they publish online and protecting the public from exploitation.