If you?re on the fence about building your online presence, it?s time to hop off and join the conversation. Primary care pediatrician Claire McCarthy, MD, recently blogged about the importance of doctors interacting online. Dr. McCarthy, who was named one of SharecareNow?s Top 10 Online Influencers in Children?s Health, is an avid blogger and a senior pediatrics editor for Harvard Health Publications. When it comes to the online space, McCarthy says, ?It has become increasingly clear to me that I need to be there?and that more doctors need to be there with me.?
She makes a good case about the online opportunities?and obligations?for medical professionals. Here are a few of McCarthy?s reasons for being active on the Web:
1. Patients are online.
The number of social media users continues to grow. There are more than 550 million daily active users on Facebook alone, according to the site?s most recent statistics. When patients get sick, they turn to their social networks and Google for answers. McCarthy said she often hears patients say, ?I looked it up online.? If the Internet is becoming a key resource for patients, then doctors should be part of it.
2. You don?t have to blog to have an impact.
Creating an online presence isn?t solely about writing content. Doctors can find and share useful information, or comment on worthwhile health topics. Sharecare hosts Twitter and Facebook chats that allow experts to connect directly with an engaged audience on topics from prostate cancer to plastic surgery to women?s health and fitness.
?As doctors, we have so much to bring to the conversation?and so much to gain,? says McCarthy.
3. Online interactions can complement a doctor?s office visit.
There?s a lot doctors want to say, do and teach patients during appointments, but time is limited. The online space is another medium to communicate with patients. Of course social media forums are not the place to give specific medical advice, but medical professionals can share information with patients to guide them in making health decisions.
Sharecare is a great place for you to start. You can create an online profile and participate in Sharecare?s interactive, social Q&A platform to help consumers live their healthiest life today!
File under: In the News
Contributor
Keith Steward
Dr. Keith Steward, MD. MBA is Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs at Sharecare. Dr. Steward most recently served as President and General Manager of an accredited global medical education company. Prior to that, he served as US Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Medical Affairs for a global Pharmaceutical company. He received his medical training from Eastern Virginia Medical School and later received a master?s degree in health administration from the University of Tennessee. He has given many public presentations and currently serves on various non-profit community outreach boards.
View my Sharecare profile
Source: http://blog.sharecare.com/2012/09/27/its-time-to-get-online/
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