Physicians writing on KevinMD about Facebook and social media: practice pages and patient communities, privacy and professionalism, a doctor's identity stolen for a scam, health misinformation, and the toll of the feed on physicians and their children. Most of the archive dates from 2007 to 2019.

The ethics of social media use for the medical profession

Social Media in Medicine
April 8, 2012

At the end of the day, I do not see social media as an end to itself. I enjoy the conversation and the opportunity to learn outside the walls of my medical school without having to put in too much effort. I relish the (illusion of?) freedom that it provides by drawing together the world’s most technology and innovation-driven minds. It allows high-level discussions of even the most esoteric topics …

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The ethics of social media use for the medical profession

Why Facebook should be a template for electronic medical records

Health Technology
April 5, 2012

The Internet beta 0.5 version was nothing like it is today.  Back in the ’80s and the early ’90s the most common way to access the outside world was to use a phone modem to dial the number of a remote computer. These primitive servers usually ran DOS based software called a Bulletin Board System (BBS) which allowed users to post messages to each other. For the most part, these …

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Why Facebook should be a template for electronic medical records

Why I’m not hiding social media from residency interviews

Social Media in Medicine
April 2, 2012

As Match Day for the Class of 2012 quickly fades into the background and residency applications for my class begin to appear on the horizon, I find my classmates starting to disappear from Facebook and other socially-oriented websites.

“Are you taking your blog down for application and interview season?” someone innocently asked, “I mean, some program directors just may not appreciate the social media involvement as much as you do.”

The question, …

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Why I’m not hiding social media from residency interviews

How to maintain physician professionalism in social media

Social Media in Medicine
March 21, 2012

Art is not a mirror held up to reality but a hammer with which to shape it.
– Bertolt Brecht

In prior posts, I have discussed the issue of professionalism and social media.  I have also taken issue with medical organizations’ extant social media guidelines.  In some of these posts’ comments, it has been noted that there is no corresponding guideline or document that expressly discusses …

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How to maintain physician professionalism in social media

5 ways to make social media work for doctors and their patients

Social Media in Medicine
March 15, 2012

There’s no question that social media is taking root in the healthcare field, and will only continue to grow in importance.  According to a recent Pew Internet survey, four out of five Internet users have searched for health information online, making health one of the most searched topics on the internet. While on the one hand, this is good news for doctors since patients are often using the information they …

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5 ways to make social media work for doctors and their patients

Impersonal communication on the Internet fuels cyberbullying

Health Technology
February 22, 2012

In the old days, bullying used to consist of name calling or physical aggression from someone in a position of power over another, typically from a roughly similarly aged peer group. The bullying could be mild such as occasional name calling and having one’s books knocked down when walking in the hallway. This does not mean the effects of the bullying were mild but comparatively speaking, this is generally not …

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Impersonal communication on the Internet fuels cyberbullying

Why doctors should embrace Google+

Social Media in Medicine
February 15, 2012

Lots of pressure out there for you to be on Facebook and Twitter, right? The ultimate question is, how are you using Facebook and Twitter to support your goals? Are you connecting with patients? Are you reaching out to peers and friends? It is great to have a big following, but does that turn into real, authentic meaning for you? If you are like most doctors, the answer is a …

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Why doctors should embrace Google+

Addressing comments on your medical practice’s Facebook page

Social Media in Medicine
February 13, 2012

Does your medical practice allow anybody to post links and comments on your Facebook page?

The short answer is yes. We do. Why? Because we think allowing patient to post links and commenting on our practice’s Facebook page helps us achieve these four things:

1. It encourages communication.
2. It allows us to address issues that we would otherwise have a hard time addressing.
3. Other patients will benefit by reading the discussions.
4. We …

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Addressing comments on your medical practice’s Facebook page

The impact of social media on a physician assistant

Social Media in Medicine
January 7, 2012

The impact of social media on medicine could arguably be compared to the impact of the industrial revolution on the human condition. Access to newer means of technology at the turn of the century changed most of society from primarily agricultural, to flourishing manufacturing centres. At the end of the 20th century, with relocation of manufacturing centres and the birth of the digital age, the concept of the American dream …

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The impact of social media on a physician assistant

Physician online professionalism in social media

Social Media in Medicine
January 3, 2012

Dr. Bryan Vartabedian (on Twitter as @Doctor_V) posted to his blog the narrative of a Grand Rounds presentation he gave in which he focused on the risks and benefits of physicians’ use of social media.

The post is long, but provides an overview of Dr. V’s approach to social media.  If you review his blog, you will see that this post (and the related presentation) neatly summarizes …

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Physician online professionalism in social media

Show doctors the value when it comes to social media and EMRs

KevinMD
December 20, 2011

The common perception is that older doctors are more adverse to technology, especially when it comes to electronic medical records.

Recent data, however, says that isn’t true.

According to a study cited in American Medical News, “physicians more than 10 years out of medical school and those with higher patient volumes were more likely than younger and less busy physicians to …

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Show doctors the value when it comes to social media and EMRs

Solving distracted doctoring from smartphones and tablets

KevinMD
December 15, 2011

Imagine that your neurosurgeon, during surgery, was talking on his cellphone using a headset.

Unthinkable?

Well, no. A recent article in the New York Times cites a case where a patient was left paralyzed and the neurosurgeon was sued, in part, for being distracted. He made 10 personal calls during the operation.

The proliferation of portable electronic devices, smartphones, tablets, and the …

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Solving distracted doctoring from smartphones and tablets

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Doctor, Google thyself

Social Media in Medicine
December 8, 2011

Have you ever Googled yourself or your practice? Did you know that you have an ever growing online reputation? Whether you know it or not, doctors have an online presence. When you type your name in a search engine you may be surprised by what you find. Everything you do professionally creates a digital footprint. If you are involved in social media then you are contributing to your online reputation. …

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Doctor, Google thyself

A complete guide to planning a social media presence for healthcare

Social Media in Medicine
December 3, 2011

The world of healthcare is inherently siloed,  tethered,  fragmented and prone to poor communication and collaboration.  Today, healthcare workers solve their problems via traditional methods that are often costly, inefficient, nor timely.  Increasingly, more savvy healthcare workers are looking outside the system to digital media and communities for answers, but are challenged with uncertainty over concepts of usefulness, practicality, bandwidth issues, “ROI” and privacy concerns.

Establishing a digital presence is rapidly …

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A complete guide to planning a social media presence for healthcare

A social media background is an asset in medicine

Social Media in Medicine
September 30, 2011

I have a confession to make. Lately I’ve been doing some soul-searching regarding the future of my social media presence. It started at a lecture I attended a few weeks ago, where students and residents were cautioned to avoid public social media profiles and blogging. It came up again one morning while I was discussing some current events with other students, and was mentioned most recently at a professionalism …

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A social media background is an asset in medicine

Social networking has changed the landscape in health care

Social Media in Medicine
September 27, 2011

In a recent Harvard Business Review Blog, David Armano writes about the six pillars of influence that leads to measurably favorable outcomes.

To achieve measurably better health, the pillars Armano explains can certainly be adopted.

He notes how the “social web can amplify signals, influence behavior and lead to action.”

Social networking has changed the landscape in health care.  Technology has paved the way for instant communication and feedback.

While some …

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Social networking has changed the landscape in health care

The pivotal role of social media in patient support

Social Media in Medicine
September 21, 2011

I would have told you, on our first visit, that I don’t do well with soft science. But you appeared rushed, with an office full of patients, and I did not feel that I needed to explain my personality. You see, I am a logical and rational thinker, and my primary goal in life is to understand the world around me.  I need proof. And then I probably need even …

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The pivotal role of social media in patient support

How Jenny McCarthy became a medical thought leader

Physician
September 10, 2011

The mere mention of Jenny McCarthy gets an immediate eye roll from many physicians.   The closer their practice is to autism or immunology, the more likely the eye roll turns into a lecture on why Ms. Playboy should focus on what she knows.

The problem is that “Ms. Playboy” is kicking the medical profession’s behind on thought leadership.  Jenny McCarthy has become a – if not the – leading voice regarding …

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How Jenny McCarthy became a medical thought leader

5 signs for health care social media success

Social Media in Medicine
September 7, 2011

I sense a movement in health care circles from, “no way we’re doing that social media,” to “ok, we get it social media is important, now what?”

This is good to see. But like all things new, we’re experiencing some growing pains. Some health care providers take to social media easily and find ways to leverage it to educate, inform and grow practices, while others make efforts but can’t seem …

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5 signs for health care social media success

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