If you’re wondering what social networking site doctors use, look no further. Doximity, a social networking site specifically for doctors, is one of the most popular. It connects more than eight thousand physicians and healthcare professionals, with five thousand more verified users. The platform also helps physicians stay up-to-date by keeping their CVs on their profiles and notifying them whenever someone mentions their healthcare practice.
While social media has many benefits, it’s important to consider the risks. While it’s true that 65% of the American population uses social networks, these sites have been designed to be addictive. They continually learn your preferences and create feeds with relevant information to entice you to log in. In addition, doctor networks may exacerbate physician burnout by adding additional workload and strain to an already hectic schedule.
Instagram is one of the most popular social networks, focusing heavily on video and picture posts. It’s perfect for practices that are heavily cosmetic, with before and after photos and graphics showing basic anatomy. Twitter is also a great tool for sharing new research and patient care outcomes. By posting pictures and videos on the platform, physicians can target local patients and promote events. In addition, Twitter allows physicians to create introductory videos to use on their LinkedIn profile.
Although social media sites are an effective way to connect with patients, physicians should exercise caution when interacting with them on them. Not only can social media cause physician burnout, but it can also be a powerful tool for engaging a vast population at one time. Studies show that more than 50% of millennials and a bit less than half of non-millennials look for health information online. Some doctors never friend patients on social media, while others happily accept every friend request.
