Social Media Resources

Here is a helpful introduction from the British Journal Of Sports Medicine on using social media:


Top tips for social media use in sports and exercise medicine: doing the right thing in the digital age. [Full text][PDF][Supplementary Data]   
Clinicians these days must be on social media however they must use it carefully. With great risk comes great opportunity.

Know a few simple rules means that can make all the difference. 

Twitter

Why every clinician has to be on Twitter and how to do it effectively. Look at the guide below and also read up for more information!


*There are many different codes rules and regulations regarding social media. Know yours first before applying any advice.
First things first - Sending a 'tweet' 
A tweet is a message that you are sign posting in front of your profile. Write tweets with comments that you want to share or with articles and links you want to share. Be careful, there is a 140 character limit!


Sending a tweet involving other people


If you want to write a public tweet to my good friend Jenni Brozena (@AqueousCo)
1 - click "Tweet" and then
2 - Write @AqueousCo (message here)!

 - This will get her attention however it is completely public.


If you want to send a public tweet to multiple people type in their names with @ symbols.
e.g @sportmednews @AqueousCo Hey guys! My first tweet!
This will send a message to both Jenni and I. 


If you want to send a private message you need to follow the person and have them following you back. Then you'll be able to send a DM (direct message). This is a private message that only the two of you can see.





To Do:
  • Have fun!
  • Have a picture of yourself! Not essential but good to put a face to a name.
  • Some professions insist that if you tweet as a HC (Health care) professional, you must use your real name and no pseudonyms.. always good in our honest opinion.
  • Join or host chat sessions!
  • Follow other professional lists to expand your network.
  • Keep it up! Your twitter account may look a little dire to start off with but keep on going at it. The networking you’ll experience is extremely rewarding. Consistency is key.
  • Have a conversation! Engage and share information. It makes twitter a lot more fun as it is great to get another perspective. Involve others who you think may find your information useful.



Protect Professionalism:
  • Don’t post tweets if it is against your regulatory guidelines. Keep up to date with your organisations social media policies
  • Don’t follow your patients on Twitter.. This is a common rule in social media policy as it prevents a breakdown of the professional barrier that should exist. If you are contacted via social media direct their correspondence through the correct professional channels.
  • Twitter is not confidential. If discussing patient and their condition anonymize it.
  • Be helpful to the public but be careful giving out medical advice online if you have not previously conducted a thorough examination.
  • Remember, photos posted online can be taken out of context.
  • Don't be derogatory about other healthcare providers. You may not agree with them, but healthy discourse is the best way to share and learn.
  • Do not violate patient confidentiality by sharing information that may be identifiable. Twitter is a public forum and expect the unexpected. Your patients, your employers and anyone else can read your messages. If you may upset with a tweet, it’s not worth writing it in the first place. If discussing with member of the public/patient give them the option to DM (confidentiality again).