How One Doc Does Social Media Right, Part I

At Franklin Street, we love social media. We also happen to love our hometown and headquarters, Richmond, Virginia.

Add the two together and you get one of today’s #aficionados, Mark Ryan, MD.

Dr. Ryan is the Assistant Clinical Professor at VCU’s Department of Family Medicine. Those outside of Richmond might know him from his digital prowess as @RichmondDoc on Twitter, his curatorial touch at Minutiae and Detritus on Tumblr, his social media know how at Social Media Healthcare or his words of wisdom on his blog.

Our own sharp-witted reporter (and Account Supervisor) Kenya Gibson conducted a short interview with Dr. Ryan to figure out just how this digital media medic ticks.

KG: What do your colleagues think about your online work?

MR: I’m not sure.  I suspect that some think it is pointless, while a larger number just aren’t sure what it means.  They don’t understand the tools, don’t see the time benefits, or don’t see the overall goal aside from keeping in touch with friends.  A few are still uncertain, but more curious about what this is all about: what can be done with the tools and how can we make them part of a productive day.  A very small number are just as excited about social media as I am…but most of them are people I’ve met (surprise) via social media.

KG: Any pet peeves in how you’ve seen health institutions use social media?

MR: Probably greatest irritation would be institutions that post one-way monologues of information that are focused on the institution’s lectures/programs but that do not add any additional information to the discussion.  I understand that institutions might be shy about engaging in active dialogue (though some do this very well), but if all your posts are about your new Da Vinci machine or your lecture at a local museum, I find very little value in following.  At the very least, look for other interesting material to post–about your community, health policy news, whatever–and make your account a valuable contributor to the discussion.

KG: What do you believe every doctor should be doing as it relates to social media?

MR: At this point, I feel that they should be willing to take a look and see what they think about it.  There are many of my colleagues who have not seen social media as having *any* benefit re: communication or in their daily practice–it might appear as frivolous, or as additional unpaid work.  However, these tools are here to stay, and I think physicians should be looking at them, familiarizing themselves with them, and looking for ways to make them useful for their particular purposes.  The American Academy of Pediatrics has encouraged physicians to familiarize themselves with social media if only to better understand the role they play in teens’ lives and the risks that might result.

Tune back in Thursday for part II of this interview series!