Comments on: Why Physicians Don’t Use LinkedIn

By: Matrixband

Matrixband — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 18:36:51 +0000

LinkedIn is fine, I have a minimal bio there and may do more with it--, but I really think having a vibrant blog is more informative to patients and prospective patients and more likely to be found by them. Twitter is good. Facebook can be a great source as well for those that already friend you. You are correct that most docs are hyperlocal-blogs, searchable CV's are not very targeted. Each should find their own way of becomming more visible to the online community.

http://www.cyberdentist.blogspot.com

By: DrV

DrV — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:49:47 +0000

Mark – Yes. I think there are huge opportunities for society/association connection. But you need a critical mass. And I push LinkedIn. Perhaps we'll get there.

By: MarkHarmel

MarkHarmel — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:42:12 +0000

I thought that there could be a possibility of using LinkedIn to host a private association group. It would have to be carefully monitored though to keep down the noise from promoters.

The ACP is using LI as a news-feed source and other groups are using this function as well.

By: Daniel Hartman

Daniel Hartman — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 18:17:24 +0000

not sitting in front of a computer all day, physicians are not likely to be as highly active as other professionals. but they can definitely derive value from sharing insights with each other and their patients; discuss best practices with doctors across the globe; what about non-profit work? advocacy? this is happening on LinkedIn already. there are thousands of health care groups and some exclusively for MDs. the more active physicians become, the more value they will find.

By: Howard Luks

Howard Luks — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:30:54 +0000

What! No iPad??

By: DrV

DrV — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:01:54 +0000

Too funny, Howard. The follow-up is written and curing a bit on my laptop. Look for it this weekend.

By: Howard Luks

Howard Luks — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:59:49 +0000

THoughtful post… I agree with nearly 100% of your assessment. Most docs are 100% hyper-local, static and defined by their presence in their community. In addition, most are *satisfied* with that existence. I sense however that many docs are becoming quite nervous and anxious over the enormous uncertainty that lies before us. They are beginning to wake up to fact that there are a tremendous number of industries who are willing to pay them for their knowledge, talent, insight and skill-sets. Non-clinical job conferences are gaining in popularity, and continue to trend upwards as reform, 21% cuts and malpractice concerns convince many that there might be another less stressful, yet equally appealing alternative. Perhaps you can re-title the blog post… Linked-In Part I, why most docs *didn't* use L-In and Part II should be Why docs might want to engage on Linked-In, IMX, etc…. JMHO

By: DrV

DrV — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 06:47:38 +0000

Amanda. Again, I don't doubt that LinkedIn will offer some info/value for curious patients, I just don't see it functioning as a primary source. With that said, I do think that physicians need to have LinkedIn profiles whether its patients or not who are using them. I'll elaborate on this in a subsequent post.

And by the way, my goals are lofty and I care for some of the most intelligent, discerning e-patients anywhere.

By: Amanda Vega

Amanda Vega — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:48:43 +0000

Your patients must not be very discerning and your long terms goals must not be too lofty. In this age of information, it's remiss to think that patients aren't seeking more information and making more informed choices in picking their doctors based on information other than location and who accepts my insurance. This issue will only escalate if the new healthcare program goes into production - as those of us who are already basically paying cash for our health certainly dig into everything we can find online about a potential vendor (and yes, we consider a doctor a vendor.) If you go along the lines of word of mouth and referrals driving your business, then the same types of referrals exist from communication in places like LinkedIn.

Most physicians will be challenged to find themselves in a place of profitability in the coming days. That being said, marketing will become increasingly important - and LinkedIn is the quickest way to gain some visibility and put forth some information for a physician. Another note - if you have some bad rankings on the rating sites (and yes people do follow them regardless of their truth or not) a great LinkedIN profile can outrank that in the Google search results helping to drive the bad stuff down.

Amanda Vega
http://www.amandavega.com

By: DrV

DrV — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 06:34:03 +0000

The recommendation component definitely supports the argument especially given the unpredictability of physician rating sites. Patients, of course, would have to be LinkedIn members - unlikely unless in the networking business world.

The search argument is good. I'm not sure if its a strong enough value proposition for the typical busy internist in middle America.

And I should say that you're preaching to the choir here, Alex. I love LinkedIn and depend upon it as my core site for those who want to understand my background and expertise. Physicians should see themselves more as individual brands and LinkedIn helps with that.