In case you haven’t seen on social media, this week was Physician’s Week. As we commemorate and celebrate the contribution so many medical professionals make, we want to help physicians stay current and active on the social media front. The medical field has developed a love/hate relationship with social media over the years, mainly because patients use it as a replacement for paid professional medical advice. However, instead of seeing social media as a threat, physicians should be aware of the numerous benefits it can provide. Here are a few ways social media is enhancing the medical profession, including student education, physician advocacy, and patient influence: Medical educator uses social media to reach students Though social media usually gets a bad rap for providing false information, it can also be used as a force for good by medical educators who wish to more effectively communicate with today’s generation of students. For example, Jerad M. Gardner, M.D., an assistant professor of pathology and dermatology in the College of Medicine, finds ways to teach and connect with his students using Snapchat. He also uses YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter to conduct research, take surveys, collaborate with scientists, and create instructional videos for students and medical professionals. “I feel like anything you’re trying to do as an educator, you can do it better and more efficiently and more broadly with social media than you could do without it,” Gardner said. “It doesn’t replace any of your normal activities. You still treat patients; you still teach lectures; you still do research and write papers—all of that—but social media can take the things you already do and magnify their impact tenfold.” Facebook group creator gives physicians a voice With so much at stake and so much pressure riding on their shoulders, physicians are usually not the first to speak up or stir the pot. Instead, they simply express their concerns privately with their peers or keep them bottled up inside—neither a productive way of bringing about change. Recognizing the need for physicians a safe space to express their concerns and access to a community of like-minded individuals, Dr. Kim Jackson founded a physicians advocacy group on Facebook, which eventually grew to 5,400 members, and now is an international organization. She explains what inspired this community: “Since 85 percent of docs are now employed by hospitals, many physicians fear for their jobs. They are afraid to speak out. They feel comfortable voicing their concerns on Facebook, as opposed to showing up in a crowd or a lawmaker’s office. They’re reaching out and venting frustrations. Physicians by and large aren’t rule breakers, and it’s hard for us to speak up.” Patient influencer teams up with medical professionals When it comes to social media, it’s not always a patient’s word over a physician’s advice. Realizing the value and power of patients with a strong online following—known as patient influencers—medical companies are beginning to team up with such individuals. Web-based platforms like Wego Health introduce pharmaceutical companies, insurers, hospitals, and manufacturers to people like Barby—based on their number of followers—and pay them for their services. One such patient influencer, Barby Ingle Can, began sharing her medical journey after an accident. What began as a blog and a book has turned into a strong social media presence with over 26,000 followers on Twitter. Health services researcher, Joy L. Lee, says: “I hope that doctors work out their fears of social media, because that’s where the patients are and they have a responsibility to be there with them.” The more physicians learn to embrace social media, the more influence they will have. Do you want professional social media pages for yourself or your private practice? check this topic: Social Media Marketing For Doctors and Clinics Source
