American Medical News reports the Journal of Medical Internet Research calculated that 85% of primary care physicians and oncologists use social media to scan or explore health information.Online marketing firm fishbat, Inc. analyzes the report and offers perspective.
American Medical News reports the Journal of Medical Internet Research calculated that 85% of primary care physicians and oncologists use social media to scan or explore health information.Online marketing firm fishbat, Inc. analyzes the report and offers perspective.
On October 30, fishbat, Inc., a leading agency within the social media industry, responds to an article published by American Medical News which reports on a study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research analyzing the impact of social media within the medical industry. fishbat offers insight on the study’s findings.
The American Medical News reported that, “the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that 85% of oncologists and primary care physicians use social media at least once a week or once a day to scan or explore health information. Sixty percent said social media improves the care they deliver.”According to the article, lead study author and education technology consultant Brian McGowan, PhD, and his fellow researchers“narrowed the focus to how social media can be used for professional development and lifelong learning.”
According to the American Medical News, 485 of 1685 physician responses determined that “24.1% said they use social media daily to scan or explore new medical information, and 14.2% contribute information daily. On a weekly basis, 61% scanned and explored and 46% contributed information. Fifty-eight percent perceive social media to be beneficial and a good way to get current, high-quality information.”
Bryan Vartabedian, MD, a pediatric gastroenterologist at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, is an advocate and coauthor of the study reports American Medical News. “Democratizing media has completely opened my eyes to the experience of the patient,” explains Dr. Vartabedian. Dr. Vartabedian, according to American Medical News, stated that his “social media connections with patient advocacy groups”provided him with “a huge appreciation for how they think.”
Social media agency fishbat applauded Dr. McGowan and his team for their findings. “We think that the use of social media in the medical field is forward thinking for the health of others,” commented fishbat Social Media Strategy Manager Nick Renna.
“Separating the personal from the professional within the social media industry can effectively gain progress in any field. The medical field can learn a lot from their patients if they took the time to listen to their concerns. Similar to using social media to understand our clients, the medical field can benefit by understanding their patients.”
McGowan, American Medical News reported, states“the attention to the dangers of social media and the widespread circulation of a few horror stories have prevented many from embracing it.”
“It’s understandable that the medical industry would be wary of something outside their comfort level. If the medical industry adopted every practice without question, I doubt the medical field would have progressed as much as it has,” adds Renna. “I hope that the use of social media isn’t simply brushed over.”
fishbat, Inc. is a full service online marketing company. Through social media management, search engine optimization (SEO), web design, and public relations, fishbat strives as a marketing firm to build your brands awareness and strengthen your corporate image.
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