Health Professionals and Social Media

Or “what #nhssm means to me”Dr. Anne Marie Cunningham

@amcunningham

We used to know what communication meant...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bepster/120018144/

..of course, there were always opportunities for misunderstanding...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dilaudid/278649026/

... we had phones....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/strep72/4031267011/

...but then it all started to get more complicated.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mimirnm/1664474078/

Now there are multiple ways to communicate.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dailypic/1459055735/

We call these social media.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/constantine-graphics/3859971253/sizes/z/

What is social media?“Social media have been modernized to reach consumers through the internet. Social media have become appealing to big and small businesses. Credible brands are utilizing social media to reach customers and to build or maintain reputation.”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_media 4/8/2010

Engagement?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eyermonkey/2830385093/

The other kind of engagement

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanomaggi/3980730952/

Hospital marketing.... http://hospitalonlinemarketingeducation.ning.com/profiles/blogs/quick-tips-for-social-media

#nhssm

The NHS may be looking more closely for branding opportunities.....

But what does social media have to do with health professionals?

Freedom...?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/horrigans/4762673801/

What are the rules?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/litherland/2614531003/

Tweeting about sexual health

Who is @RothSexHealth?

The ‘old way’ of communicating

Sexual health on Facebook

Protecting confidentiality

People talk about lots of things in public....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/strandloper/485288761/

But what would you talk to them about?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mckln/3449315633/

We could put ads in public places......

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tupwanders/89267174/

Social and community networks impact on healthDahlgren G, Whitehead M. Policies and strategies to promote social equity in health. Copenhagen: World Health Organization, 1992.

It is important that we use every means possibleto make sure that people get the informationthat they need. But communication between an individual anda health professional about health should be private.

Do you agree?

How should health professionals in the UK use socialmedia?