As doctors are under increasing pressure to see more patients in shorter office hours, increasing their social media presence helps them connect with patients, explain procedures, combat misinformation, and get published. It could be a great opportunity to talk about the article and even share jokes and memes.
However, there are caveats when it comes to doctors posting on social media platforms. Medscape spoke to four doctors who are using social media to their advantage. Here's what you need to know before posting and how to make your posts unique and helpful to your patients and your practice at the same time.
Use social media for the right reasons
There's no obligation to build a social media presence, but if you do, you should make sure your intentions are solid, says Don S. Dizon, M.D., professor of medicine and professor of surgery at Brown University. To tell. Dizon as @DoctorDon has 44,700 of his TikTok followers and uses the platform to answer cancer-related questions.
“Your motivation for posting should be altruistic,” Dizon says. Mr. Dizon is Associate Director of Community Outreach and Engagement at the Legorretta Cancer Center in Providence and Chief of Medical Oncology at Rhode Island Hospital. “What we can do for society as a whole is to provide input on issues, add informed opinions where there is controversy, and address misinformation.”
If you're not sure where to start, consider finding a digital mentor to discuss your options.
“You may never meet this person, but if you like their style, content, delivery, and perspective, you should choose them,” Dizon says. “Find a doctor on social media that you can emulate. Take your time and you'll soon develop your own style and online persona.”
Post clear and accurate information
If you want some casual fun on social media, that's your choice. But Dr. Jennifer Trachtenberg, a New York City pediatrician who posts as @askdrjen and has about 7,000 Instagram followers, offers tips for scheduling vaccines and talks about COVID-19 rates. They like to warn parents and provide advice on cold and flu prevention.
“Right now, the main way I do this is to educate patients and make them aware of topics that I think are important and that they need more information about,” she says. say. “We have to be clear. People take what we say seriously. So while it's important to be empathetic, it's even more important to share evidence-based information.” .”
Many patients get information from social media
Patients used to visit their doctors with information from Doctor Google, but now many patients are using social media to learn about their conditions and the medications they are taking. There is.
Unfortunately, a recent study from Ohio State University found that much of the advice about gynecological cancers on TikTok, for example, is misleading or inaccurate.
“This misinformation should motivate physicians to explore the social media space,” Dizon says. “Our voices need to be heard there.”
Break down barriers and create connections
Dr. Mike Nutter, an endocrinologist in New York City, has type 1 diabetes. This influences his work, and his life, and he's passionate about sharing it with his 117,000 followers on Instagram as @mike.natter.
“A lot of Type 1s follow me, so there’s an advocacy element to my work,” he says. “We are excited to raise awareness and keep people up-to-date on the latest research and treatments.”
But that's not all. Nutter is also an artist who attended art school before going to medical school, and his account is filled with cartoons and illustrations about everything from valvular heart disease to diabetic ketoacidosis.
“When I was in medical school, I found myself drawing a lot in my notebooks,” he says. “When I drew the notes, I did very well. I think using art and illustrations is a great tool. It breaks down barriers and makes health information more accessible to everyone. Masu.”
Share your expertise as a doctor and as a person
As a mother and pediatrician, Dr. Krupa Preyforth, who practices in Vienna, Virginia, knows her posts carry weight. So whether she's writing about backpack safety tips, choking hazards, or separation anxiety, her followers can rest assured that she's posting responsibly.
“Pediatricians often underestimate how smart parents are,” says Playforth, who has three children, ages 8, 5, and 2. Her Instagram account @thepediatricianmom has 137,000 followers. “Their concerns come from an understandable place. That's why I see my role as a parent and pediatrician who can translate the knowledge that pediatricians have into something that parents can understand.”
Playforth, who jumped on social media during the coronavirus outbreak and experienced positive reactions in her local community, says it's essential for pediatricians to use social media.
“This is the future of pediatric medicine in particular,” she says. “A lot of pediatricians don’t want to embrace social media, and I think that’s a mistake. At the end of the day, parents think their pediatrician has all the answers, but we don’t want to accept social media. When thinking about children, most doctors are like any other parent. We can do that.” “Think objectively about your children. Share that and help parents feel less alone.” It helps me not to feel.”
If you aren't already using social media to your full potential as a doctor, you might want to try to get more visibility. Choose your preferred platform, answer common patient questions, dispel medical myths, provide relevant information, and let your personality shine.
Lambeth Hochwald is a New York City-based journalist who covers health, relationships, trends, and issues important to women. She is a longtime professor at New York University's Arthur L. Carter Institute of Journalism.
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