There was recently a great article by Pauline W. Chen, M.D. in the New York Times. The article, titled “Medicine in the Age of Twitter,” tells a remarkable story from a physician’s point of view. According to Dr. Chen, “there continues to be anecdotal evidence regarding social media’s potential to strengthen the patient-doctor bond.” Social media represents an opportunity for physicians to reach out to patients who may otherwise be isolated. What makes this article compelling is Dr. Chen speaking about her personal experiences with patients and expressing her point of view as a physician.
Acknowledging that adding yet another communication tool for physicians to manage could become onerous, Dr. Chen goes on to point out some of the other potential benefits of social media in medicine:
“And social media can also help patients and physicians widen illness support networks, which in turn can augment the patient-doctor relationship. Health care providers have long known that patients with chronic or life-threatening diseases benefit from support groups made up of people who can sympathize and empathize with them. But such support is difficult for physicians or hospitals and clinics to cobble together when patients and families are physically isolated or homebound, or when they have an orphan disease like Eddie’s.” (Source: New York Times, June 11, 2009)
The question is, do medical professionals want to open up this kind of dialogue with patients? What happens when we open the flood gates? These are important question to address. Check out this terrific article online at http://tinyurl.com/ktbrt6.
Post by Dan Dunlop, The Healthcare Marketer
Hi Dan, A very interesting post. I am a great aficionado of Health 2.0, but I think your questions are very valid. My first thought is, when the average doctor is only willing to spend 7 minutes or less with a patient, what is the likelihood that they will spend potentially countless hours outside of the office keeping track of Tweets? Furthermore, what impact would this have on confidentiality? The average tweet is made public (although you can do direct messages, but few utilize this method). Anonymity would be very difficult, I would think. Would love to have you contribute to the healthGAMERS blog at some point (http://www.healthgamers.com). Your material is right up our ally. Keep up the great work, and best wishes!
Dan,
Thanks for this great article and your thought provoking analysis. My ambition is to have our entire organization, including our providers engaged online with our Members & Patients, beginning in 2010.
I agree that there are challenges that need to be overcome. Not the least of which is demonstrating value & ROI. But I am quite certain that this is the direction the market is going. An organization’s ability to interact electronically will quickly become a significant differentiator. Web 2.0, along with consumer-based coverage, deman for transparency, and quantifiable quality measures are going to completely redifine the playing field for healthcare providers.
Brian,
I think you are right on! This is the direction the market is moving and we need to be there. Thanks for the comment and for following the blog.
Dan