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
Should Hospitals Shut Out Social Media?
This post by Paul Levy is interesting. He comments on a Boston hospital that has shut down employee access to Facebook, MySpace and Twitter. The administration cites violations of the hospitals electronic policy and potential HIPAA violations. But Paul Levy, CEO of the Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess, says ‘not in my house.' But is shutting out social media such a ... Continue Reading about Should Hospitals Shut Out Social Media?
When Patients Contact You via Social Media – 9 Pointers
It happened again last week. A patient contacted me via Twitter with a clinical question about her child. As always, I never engage patients in the social media space. When they try to initiate an online encounter I track ‘em down immediately to let them know the safe of social media and our relationship. Here are a few things I think about when discussing the matter ... Continue Reading about When Patients Contact You via Social Media – 9 Pointers