Social Media In Surgery: This Is Only The Beginning
Social media has become one of the most active communication methods in the world of surgery. Just in the last 5 years, our virtual engagement has evolved so much.
We’ve begun to share:
News, like publications, and promotions
Debates about the evidence-base
Educational threads on clinical pearls, history
Humor
But we are still far from using social media to its peak potential, which can disseminate information in a way that is more efficient, accessible and digestible.
To do that, we have to experiment with new ideas or styles. We have to explore new platforms that feel unfamiliar at first but can reach an exponentially larger audience.
We need to keep trying because the potential of SoMe in surgery is whatever we want it to be.
Here are 3 simple ideas from @themodernsurgeon:
1. Share stories from surgery to the rest of the world
People are drawn to and connect with stories more deeply than with just facts. Whether the stories tell us something about mind bending science, humanity or just the day-to-day in the life of surgery, we are only scratching the surface of what we can accomplish in surgical communication with storytelling, and social media is the window.
2. Share insights from medicine that are relevant to other disciplines, and vice versa!
Too often the surgical social media space is an echochamber. What if we could learn more from the rest of the world to change the way we operate (both literally and figuratively)? What if people in other areas could glean insights from surgery that can further their own crafts?
3. Shape the public perception
Military recruitment in 1986 increased by 500% after the release of Top Gun. In that vein, a movie is not just a movie. The content we share helps shape our brand in the eyes of the public. These are the preconceptions our patients bring with them when coming to the hospital. It changes behavior. How many children growing up watching Grey’s Anatomy became inspired to go to medical school after seeing surgeons that looked like them? In the same way, we can do our part by creating a more accepting, curious perception of surgery through what we post!
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The opinions expressed in the article are not affiliated with any institution, company or product. The article should not be interpreted as medical advice.