I had lunch with a physician colleague recently. In the course of our discussion Twitter came up and I tried to explain its potential benefits. But despite my spot-on analogies he just didn’t understand why this would be of value to him. Then I realized it may very well have no value for him. As a middle-aged divorcee with college-aged children and a stable practice ... Continue Reading about Who Needs Twitter?
Cmp.ly Makes Conflict Disclosure Easier
The issue of conflict of interest in social media has grown from an ethical discussion to a legal requirement. Under new Federal Trade Commission guidelines, material connections with special interests must be disclosed. But how do you disclose conflict of interest in 140 characters? And how do you let readers know you received serious payola or just a review copy of ... Continue Reading about Cmp.ly Makes Conflict Disclosure Easier
UpToDate – The Information Prescription
UpToDate, arguably the most trusted information brand in medicine, is now in the patient information game with UpToDate for Patients. I ran into deputy editor Alison Hoppin (a pediatric gastroenterologist) at the American Academy of Pediatrics last week and she gave me a test drive. My bags are barely unpacked and I’m already using it in my practice. I mean, what a ... Continue Reading about UpToDate – The Information Prescription
Vaccine-Preventable Disease – The Forgotten Story
I’ve always suggested that when we publicly put a human face on the victims of vaccine-preventable disease we would begin to win the war against antivax propaganda. We’ve arrived. This month Texas Children’s Hospital published Vaccine-Preventable Disease – The Forgotten Story, a compilation of first hand stories told by the families of those touched by vaccine ... Continue Reading about Vaccine-Preventable Disease – The Forgotten Story
Are Physicians Obligated to Participate in Social Media?
Online socialization is growing. Information is flowing faster than ever and the fastest flowing stuff relates to health. As the dissemination of health information via social platforms escalates, should physicians look more seriously at weighing in? Perhaps more importantly, are physicians obligated to participate in social media? Sounds crazy, I know. After all, ... Continue Reading about Are Physicians Obligated to Participate in Social Media?
Medical Blogosphere Rising
It would appear that doctors and nurses in the social space have finally arrived. This week marked the first Blog World Expo with a track dedicated to the medical blogger. BWE brought together some of the web’s most visible medical minds including Kevin Pho (KevinMD), Rob Lamberts (Musings of a Distractible Mind), Kim McAllister (Emergiblog), Bob Coffield (Health Care ... Continue Reading about Medical Blogosphere Rising