ABSTRACT
Many individuals functioning in global health are working in contexts and conditions that are unique and quite different than their home countries. By utilizing means such as photography to capture their experiences, global health practitioners are able to use images to portray messages and convey emotions that words alone sometimes cannot. Alternatively, practitioners use other avenues of technology to share their experiences, educate, raise funds and recruit staff, which can include blogging, YouTube videos, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, personal and organizational websites, all of which can have varying levels of use. This chapter focuses on the appropriate use of technology and social media in global health, by students, clinicians and practitioners. The distribution of inaccurate or poor quality information can pose risks to both patients and providers, which include: damage to professional images, breaches of confidentiality and violation of personal–professional boundaries.
