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Should we think more creatively about the uses of social media in healthcare?
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Going viral
Should we think more creatively about the uses of social media in healthcare?
Using social media during epidemics
The GMC have drafted some new guidance on how doctors should use social media. http://www.gponline.com/News/article/1128299/gmc-consults-guidance-gps-using-facebook-twitter/ For me, whilst it is impor
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Forums » BMJ » Going viral » Should we think more creatively about the uses of social media in healthcare?

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Should we think more creatively about the uses of social media in healthcare?

posted at 24/4/2012 5:02 PM BST on bmj.com
Posts: 1497
First: 7/4/2011
Last: 19/6/2013
The GMC have drafted some new guidance on how doctors should use social media.

http://www.gponline.com/News/article/1128299/gmc-consults-guidance-gps-using-facebook-twitter/

For me, whilst it is important to provide guidelines, I am concered that all discussion of the potential uses of social media in healthcare are being bogged down by issues to do with professionalism, reputation, confidentiality etc. Whilst I full acknowledge these are important issues, there seems to be s a lack of balance.

There is a small but committed band of healthcare professionals dedicated to exploring the uses of social media in healthcare, but for me the majority of what I see discussed about doctors and social media seems to be dominated by largely bureaucratic or technical issues.

Should there be more creative thinking in how we can use social media in healthcare? (E.g. public health engagement, disemmination of information for patients etc?) 'Social' media implies that it is a social tool, and perhaps doctors want to use it purely for social use, but seeing that how many people use Twitter as a news source, surely the health profession should harness it more widely?

Re: Should we think more creatively about the uses of social media in healthcare?

posted at 24/4/2012 7:10 PM BST on bmj.com
Posts: 2139
First: 12/3/2010
Last: 19/6/2013
Gresham's Law, "Bad money drives out good" applied to counterfeit coins.
It also also applies to good content in media where the rest is titillating rubbish.

While Twitter et al might be useful for public health, it would be as much use as an article on venereal disease in the News of the World.   

JOhn

Re: Should we think more creatively about the uses of social media in healthcare?

posted at 24/4/2012 7:36 PM BST on bmj.com
Posts: 1828
First: 7/3/2009
Last: 18/6/2013
Depends how we present the information. That requires some serious thinking. You are right that simply spilling information will not help, it has to be given in a certain way. Caricatures, short movies, catchy statements, visual information,all these make the whole thing more "edible" for say the younger generation that spend hours in the virtual reality of the internet.

Re: Should we think more creatively about the uses of social media in healthcare?

posted at 24/4/2012 8:30 PM BST on bmj.com
Posts: 3059
First: 27/3/2012
Last: 13/6/2013
I do agree with you. We should positively use the social media to benefit our healthcare system.

Forums » BMJ » Going viral » Should we think more creatively about the uses of social media in healthcare?