Social Media, Medical Students, and Patient Exposure: Perceptions and Attitudes

The expansion of social media has intensified ethical risks associated with the improper exposure of patients, requiring in-depth reflection on the behavior of students and health professionals in the online environment. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to describe the perceived frequency, attributed severity, and attitudes of medical students towards breaches of confidentiality on social media. An observational, cross-sectional, and exploratory study was conducted with 854 students from the south Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, using a structured questionnaire. Approximately one-quarter of the sample perceived such violations as frequent among students and physicians, and between 18% and 24% considered them to be of low severity, with evidence of habituation to infractions over the course of medical training. The current standards were predominantly assessed as unclear, ineffective, and insufficiently disseminated. It is concluded that there are substantial gaps between formal ethical knowledge and its practical application, requiring continuing education and institutional strategies to strengthen digital responsibility.