Every doctor should make content. Writing, recording, and making videos forces you to think about what you believe. It’s how content creation is so powerful for doctors.

Before I wrote about social media and medicine I wrote for parents. And when bisphenol-A (chemical found in hard plastics) first appeared as an issue I wrote about it a lot. I studied it, formed my own opinions and created a small series of posts on my former blog. One day at our Texas Children’s Hospital GI case conference the issue of BPA in bottles came up. I was able to talk about it and present the pro and con arguments so easily. While I never wrote on it with the intent of looking smart, it can certainly be a nice dividend. 

Most importantly this kind of synthesis is critical when speaking to patients. How we understand issues impacts how we communicate and how we are perceived.

And you don’t have to create a lot or very often.  A little is better than what you’re doing now. And your patients will love it.

For a more a detailed primer on making stuff for people to consume, pick up a copy of Content Rules by CC Chapman and Ann Handley.