Austin Chiang, MD, MPH: Social Media in Medicine

Gut Talk

In this inaugural episode, social media guru, Austin Chiang, MD, MPH, of Jefferson University, joins me to discuss the importance of developing a professional social media presence. He also gives his take on where the field is heading and offers advice for early career physicians looking to get started on various platforms.

• Intro :10
• How did you decide to develop a professional social media presence? :49
• Were you involved in social media as an IM resident? 2:04
• Should professional accounts be separate from personal accounts? 2:34
• Do you think major associations have developed social media guidelines that may be outdated? 5:15
• Can you talk about the #VerifyHealthcare campaign? 6:30
• Do you encounter vulnerability or fear of posting something that may be misinterpreted? 9:48
• Is there a standardized set of rules for physicians regarding what can and cannot be posted online? 11:30
• Are you aware of any rules regarding posting pictures or videos from endoscopy? Are you required to get patient consent? 12:45
• What are you working on at the Association for Healthcare Social Media (AHSM)? 14:25
• Where do you think social media is going? Where’s the next trend? 15:32
• Would you suggest physicians open Instagram and Twitter accounts and develop profiles on LinkedIn all at once, or take things slow with one platform at a time? 17:33
• Physicians are busy. What tips can you provide for developing creative and thoughtful social media posts? 19:00
• What advice would you give to early career physicians who are looking to take this next step into social media? 21:21
• Thank you, Dr. Chiang 23:47

Austin Chiang, MD, MPH, is a practicing gastroenterologist, director of the endoscopic bariatric program and chief medical social media officer at the Jefferson Health System in Philadelphia. Follow him on Twitter @AustinChiangMD.

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