Social media provides extremely powerful, game-changing tools for healthcare providers and patients

Newswise — In a series of videos produced by the American Society of Nephrology, a physician and a social media expert discuss how physicians, researchers and patients can use current social media tools to benefit their patients, themselves and their organizations.

Victor Montori, M.D., and Lee Aase, of the Mayo Clinic Center for Social Media, discuss these new communication tools. In the first video, “Social Media for Patients and Physicians,” Dr. Montori, Medical Director, Mayo Clinic Center for Social Media, explains how social media allows organizations to communicate directly with patients, and participate in “unmediated” conversations. It gives us a “bigger ear on the world,” he says, “and provides a good channel for patients to give feedback.”

Many physicians find it difficult to see the benefit of social media, notes Dr. Montori. They don’t have much time to spare. But social media can be a time saver. He describes how following people of interest on Twitter helps “crowdsource” his own web browsing. The people he follows send him interesting content and links. “It makes my time online more efficient.”

Lee Aase, Manager, Syndication and Social Media, Mayo Clinic Center for Social Media, discusses organizational uses of social media. The Social Media Health Network helps healthcare organizations around the world share how they use these new tools, create a master database of patient support groups, and establish new ways to help researchers connect. This network also improves global health literacy, he says. “Content that is developed in one place can be shared throughout the world.” Currently, more than 70 healthcare organizations around the world belong to the network (www.socialmedia.mayoclinic.org/network).

Social media also provide direct patient benefits. Research results and the most effective therapies can be disseminated more quickly, and patients learn more about managing their health. For example, Aase noted, a mainstream media story might spend 90 seconds describing a condition, but a patient care organization might produce a ten-minute YouTube video on the same topic. “We are reaching a very targeted audience: people who watch these videos have searched for that information.”

Patients not only share their stories but help spread valuable information to others. “Content that is developed in one place can be shared throughout the world,” says Aase. Healthcare organizations can produce content that helps teach the public how to make sense of scientific studies. The public can then spread this information, improving overall health literacy. The clinic’s Center for Social Media hosts this information on their recently launched Social Media Health Network. They also maintain a database of online patient support groups on the network, so newly diagnosed patients can easily find discussions on their conditions. Many of these social media efforts will improve the work of healthcare professionals and the lives of the patients they care for.

The links to the Youtube videos are as follows: • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTMLA8bEe6g&feature=mfu_in_order&list=ULhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWiR_axIxIg&feature=relmfuhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdQao45xCUU&feature=relmfu

The content of these videos does not reflect the views or opinions of The American Society of Nephrology (ASN). Responsibility for the information and views expressed therein lies entirely with the author(s). ASN does not offer medical advice. All content in ASN publications, print or online, is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. This content should not be used during a medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health care provider if you have any questions about a medical condition, or before taking any drug, changing your diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. Do not ignore or delay obtaining professional medical advice because of information accessed through ASN. Call 911 or your doctor for all medical emergencies.

Founded in 1966, and with more than 12,000 members, the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) leads the fight against kidney disease by educating health professionals, sharing new knowledge, advancing research, and advocating the highest quality care for patients.

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