Patients: Use Facebook to Get Better Care
If you are sick, one way to get better care is to consult the internet.
Not by typing your symptoms into Google for self-diagnosis, but by tapping into social networks to find the best doctor and health care facility. Researching symptoms online can make you feel like you are doing due diligence, but your time is far better spent finding a person who has the education and training to properly diagnose your illness and provide you with the best care for your condition.
Social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin are perfectly suited for doing this type of research because they are based on relationships, reputation and trust.
The best ways to utilize social networks to get better care are:
1. Ask for recommendations from friends
Whether you are job-hunting, electronics shopping or considering the latest movie, there is nothing like a recommendation from a friend to propel you into action. Admittedly, a healthcare decision is more weighty than your next flick-pick, but a trusted source will not risk their reputation by steering you in the wrong direction. As my online mentor, Seth Godin says, "We are almost always in search of recommendations, especially from people who don’t seem to have an ulterior motive."
2. Even better, ask friends who are doctors
This works even if you know a doctor in a distant city. One of the greatest benefits surrounding social networks is the ability to connect people who are otherwise separated by time and distance.
Ask any doctor friend, regardless of where they live, if they know a doctor in your city.
They will know someone, either from medical school, internship, residency or other training that lives in your city or region. The next step is to contact the local doctor to suggest a doctor trained in treating your condition.
3. Confirm that the physician is board certified
A doctor's profile on any of the social network sites will list credentials such as board certification. It is a good idea to verify this information by visiting the granting board's website. For example, your internist should be certified by The American Board of Internal Medicine. Board certified physicians must undergo approved training at credentialed institutions, pass rigorous written and oral exams, participate in continuing education and recertify after a period of time (varies according to specialty).
4. Verify fellowship or other specialized training
Again, this information will be listed on a doctor's profile.
In orthopedics, for instance, there are fellowships in sports, joint replacements, hand surgery and trauma. If you are about to undergo surgery, it makes sense to find a doctor who has specialized training in the procedure.
5. Research your hospital
Even hospitals have embraced social media. If you require a hospital stay, research your medical center on Twitter or Facebook. There are roughly 35 hospitals currently on Twitter. The Mayo clinic has a Facebook page that boasts over 4,000 members. These 4,000 individuals, as friends to that organization, may be able to answer questions that cannot be gleaned from the hospital's website.
Social media is all about who you know (and trust) - and who they know (and trust)- and so on and so on. What better way to get better care than by enlisting those whom you trust?
Categories: facebook,physicians,twitter,patients,e-tools,linkedin
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Great article! I think online resources and, more specifically, social media networks will increasingly be a helpful tool for long-distance caregivers (i.e. friends, family members) who want to be able to assist loved ones who are ill but can't provide immediate physical care. Being able to wade through information and empower their loved ones with specific names, suggestions and resources can go a long way to making both patient and family member feel cared for and involved.
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Katie, You are so right! Often long-distance loved ones feel disconnected and helpless. Social media provides one avenue to strengthen their connection, whether they are the patient or the caregiver. Thank you for the comment!
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WOW, I had no idea there were so many hospitals on twitter, much less facebook! I'd add to these resources some old school ones like bulletin boards, listservs and usenet news groups. These forums are the parents of social networks in a lot of ways and not all of them have migrated to facebook.
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Good point. Sometimes when we get caught up in the excitement of new technology, we forget what has been working with the old.
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I think that's the best use of social networking site, that instead of providing entertainment, it is now successful in creatin the hearlth awareness, facebook is now not just only known for to interaction, but to promote health saving issues.
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Health insurance is a very specific type of insurance. With this type of insurance the insurer pays the medical costs of the insured if the insured becomes sick due to covered causes, or due to accidents.
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hey, you're doing a GREAT job with this!
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Part of the business plan for my blog has been to use Facebook but I’ve been unsure how to do it effectively. Your post has given me some good ideas.
SEO
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Hello,
“If you are sick, one way to get better care is to consult the internet.
Not by typing your symptoms into Google for self-diagnosis, but by tapping into social networks to find the best doctor and health care facility. Researching symptoms online can make you feel like you are doing due diligence...
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Facebook is just for fun people!!! Come on you need to atleast be able to let go of your kids once they’ve gotten to college. If you have taught them right then they will join the groups like “We Love Jesus”..
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now face book is not just a social networking site rather it has a wide reach to the varied, diversified social groups, nago's and many other social organization which are ready to help the people.
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Thanks for such wonderful tips, i think you should write something on swine flu as well. It is one of most deadly emerging threats.
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