Is it time to change the way we use social media in medicine?

It’s no secret that social media has now consumed most of our lives. It’s everywhere and there’s really no avoiding it. Don’t get me wrong, social media is a powerful tool and when used appropriately a lot of good things can come out of it. For instance, as a medical student who moved from New York to Los Angeles, it helps me stay connected to my loved ones back home. However, social media has now expanded beyond the realm of liking photos from your best friend’s wedding. It has been incorporated into a variety of business models. It’s no surprise to me that you can now buy a product by clicking on an Instagram post, or pinning a pin on Pinterest. Aside from retail, social media has now made headway in the field of medicine. Oftentimes, I scroll through my Instagram feed and see quick 30 to 60 second clips of physicians performing cosmetic procedures on patients (of course, with consent). Physicians also have a growing presence on television as well. Flip through your TV channels or your Netflix guide and see how many new shows and reality series you find documenting the lives of doctors and their practices. Truthfully, I don’t think that this is necessarily a bad thing. I personally love binge-watching episodes of physician-centered reality shows when I have the time, or watching quick Instagram clips of filler injections, “surgery-free” rhinoplasties, Botox injections, and other cosmetic procedures. Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Social media Facebook Twitter Source Type: blogs