We’ve all seen physicians occasionally act out on Twitter but few of us like to recognize it. Because policing doctors on social media is tricky business. The AMA has called peer-to-peer policing our professional responsibility. But when you do you’re often the odd man out. I know because I’ve called out. And I’ve been called out. It goes like this: Some doctor ... Continue Reading about The Problem with Policing Doctors on Social Media
Medical Professionalism in an Age of Transparency
Is there a way we should look or behave as physicians? The question gets to the core of professionalism. It’s an important question since so many doctors feel they are being judged because of their appearance, dress or language - both IRL and online. We are who we are. I am who I am. This is the real us. We don’t live by someone else’s standard. While ... Continue Reading about Medical Professionalism in an Age of Transparency
MedBikini and the Moving Target of Medical Professionalism
A study published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery last week line itemed the apparent transgressions of a group of surgical trainees. The study, Prevalence of unprofessional social media content among young vascular surgeons, cited breaches of professionalism including wearing swimwear (medbikini), drinking alcohol, profanity and commenting on controversial social ... Continue Reading about MedBikini and the Moving Target of Medical Professionalism
Twitter and the Dual Responsibility of Media
I found this tweet and it got me thinking about the tension that I feel on MedTwitter. It made me think that there is a dual responsibility of media. Trying to post something on #MedTwitter without invoking criticism: Attached was a gif of a woman executing an impossible rollerblade sequence around some obstacles. The tweet is from Dr. Kurt Lucas and ... Continue Reading about Twitter and the Dual Responsibility of Media
How Doctors Learn About Social Media
Recently a contentious public exchange over the diagnosis and management of surgical condition lead a young physician to leave Twitter. For some, watching this doctor virtually vaporize was the equivalent of losing a colleague. This is because our social networks have become important sources of support, information, inspiration and fellowship. The situation raises ... Continue Reading about How Doctors Learn About Social Media
Potty Mouth Doctors and the Emerging Value of Outrage
It’s interesting how the use of social media by physicians has changed as it relates to risk and professionalism. In the earliest days doctors either didn’t use social media or they mitigated risk through anonymous profiles. Even now, the core goal for many physicians dipping their toes in the public conversation is to first avoid getting in trouble. The rise of ... Continue Reading about Potty Mouth Doctors and the Emerging Value of Outrage