By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Can Social Media Reduce Physician Burnout?
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > eHealth > Social Media > Can Social Media Reduce Physician Burnout?
Social Media

Can Social Media Reduce Physician Burnout?

docnieder
docnieder
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

In late fall of 2011 I was tired of medicine. While seeing patients was still enjoyable, I felt under-appreciated in my employment and frustrated by the endless BS that I dealt with–new laws undermining the trust my patients place in me, increasing requirements from insurance companies for ordering tests or medications, more forms to sign, less time with patients, a cumbersome EHR to learn, more non-CME education requirements from the system I belonged to…the list grew endless.

In late fall of 2011 I was tired of medicine. While seeing patients was still enjoyable, I felt under-appreciated in my employment and frustrated by the endless BS that I dealt with–new laws undermining the trust my patients place in me, increasing requirements from insurance companies for ordering tests or medications, more forms to sign, less time with patients, a cumbersome EHR to learn, more non-CME education requirements from the system I belonged to…the list grew endless. Most of it boiled down to less control over my professional life and less time to spend with the people I enjoyed-family, friends and patients.

twitter


The following February I began writing a blog on my professional frustrations as well as the occasional reward. Shortly after that I discovered Twitter–first as a “lurker” listening in the background, then as an active participant. I met so many interesting people–physicians, e-patients, Social Media gurus, pharmacists, nurses, other healthcare providers, patient family members, the list is endless. Through Twitter my office knew early on about the multi-state fungal meningitis caused by tainted steroid vials, the Newtown shootings (unfortunately) and the Open Notes study. If Mayo and Cleveland Clinics were using Social Media to reach and teach their patients, it was likely that Social Media was not just a passing fad. Meanwhile my fascination with the phenomenon grew.

I began a master’s level course on Social Media that is mind-blowing (and free) developed by +Bertalan Meskó, an MD-Phd from Hungary who is a Medical Futurist.

The Social MEDia Course

I read “The Creative Destruction of Medicine” by +Eric Topol who recently spoke  on the Colbert Report about the future of medicine. I submitted blogs and was  published by Dr. Kevin Pho, “social media’s leading physician voice”. In October of 2012 I attended Mayo Clinic’s Social Media in Medicine Summit and met a few hundred people interested in how Social Media is changing medicine.  

In the process I found new ways to engage myself and my patients–using QR codes, putting up a white board in the exam rooms, recommending apps. 

More Read

Thoughts on Sentiment Analysis in Health Care
Highlights of 2014: Stanford Medicine X and #hcsmca
Marketing Your Medical Device to Millennials? Here’s Why Mobile Matters Most
3 Ways to Keep Patients Engaged During Long-Term Clinical Trials
What I Learned On the Road to the Shorty’s
RelayHealth

Patients now get a business card with the access site to a patient portal, my twitter handle and my blog site. They can contact me 24/7, understanding that I’ll answer with the same availability as my email. 

Last year’s experience served to recharge my professional gusto. Patients are more interesting, I deal with the non-stop frustrations with more aplomb and less emotional exhaustion. I look forward to seeing my new friends on the #hcsm tweetchat on Sunday night. Suddenly the future of medicine looks a lot less lonely and a lot more interesting. 







TAGGED:healthcare social media
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

contamination
Batch Failures And The Hidden Costs Of Contamination
Health Infographics
October 21, 2025
Medication Management For Seniors
Simplifying Medication Management For Seniors
Infographics Senior Care
October 21, 2025
Guide To Pursuing a Career in Nursing as a Foreigner in the USA
Collaboration Is the Prescription for Better Patient Care
Health
October 20, 2025
Epidemiological Health Benefits
Personal and Epidemiological Health Benefits of Blood Pressure Management
Health
October 13, 2025

You Might also Like

Medical Apps and More Medical Apps
Social Media

Medical Apps Watch: Development, Use and Potential

January 5, 2016
Healthcare IT Pain Points
eHealthMedical RecordsSocial Media

What Are Your Health IT Pain Points?

June 18, 2014

State Medical Boards Address Inappropriate Online Physician Behaviors

January 19, 2013
Social Media

Is your Hospital Afraid of Social Media?

August 20, 2012
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?