By Iolee Anagnostopoulou
In an age dominated by dance challenges and hashtags, the once-conservative world of healthcare is doing the digital tango. Plastic surgeons and dermatologists are taking centre stage on social media platforms, showcasing their expertise, debunking myths, and, well, “busting some moves.”
As patients, we find ourselves in the audience, contemplating whether our doctors should be starring in this online spectacle.
One can’t help but wonder, is this a virtuous endeavour or a waste of a doctor’s valuable time?
Healing Hands Or TikTok Challenges?
Here’s the thing—social media takes up time, especially if you have a professional image to preserve. Curating a single post with before-and-after photos, captions, and hashtags can take up to an hour or more. But is engaging in social media extravaganzas a prudent use of a doctor’s time?
Of course, we appreciate the commitment to educating us, but not at the expense of our appointments or our doctors’ undivided attention during consultations.
It’s a fact that most affluent doctors hire someone else to run their social accounts, but I doubt your local GP’s Floss Dance post would have been outsourced. Some physicians have found social media posting to be an inefficient use of their time. In contrast, for others, it has resulted in disciplinary actions for malpractice.
After all, if you work 80 hours a week and are trying to keep creating the perfect posts, chances are you won’t be exactly fit to treat people. So, ultimately, what’s the real cost of maintaining a lively online presence?
Authentic Advice Vs Sponsored Spectacle
The line between genuine advice and sponsored content is kind of blurry in the realm of medical influencers. Personally, I find it off-putting to over-praise a product you were so obviously paid to promote. Like, is that cream really that miraculous or is it the $500 boost and 30% commission talking?
Most people express discomfort with medical influencers pushing specific brands for financial gain. Of course, doctors like to remind us of their commitment to authenticity and that they are recommending products they use themselves. But, in a world where even medical advice might be commercially motivated, can you blame a girl for remaining sceptical?
Privacy Concerns
In this grand social media performance, patients worry about being unwilling participants in the online spectacle. Concerns surrounding consent, privacy, and the potential pressure to become part of a doctor’s social media narrative raise valid questions, like “Is our patient-doctor relationship being commercialised?” or “Will I turn into a low-priority patient if I decline to be in a post?”
Doctors emphasise this would never be the case, highlighting the importance of consent and respect for patient privacy. There’s no identifiable feature or link to the patient’s social account, and they’re at full liberty to opt for/out of a clearly described involvement at any time without any consequence whatsoever.
Although we appreciate the efforts to maintain transparency, especially in the vulnerable healthcare context, we’ll continue to opt for complete control over our online presence; thank you.
The Social Media Evolution: A Necessary Evil?
Social media has become essential to our daily lives, and doctors aren’t exempt from this digital evolution. Despite the time constraints, doctors unanimously agree that social media has evolved from being a mere distraction to an integral part of their professional portfolio and even a non-negotiable part of certain collaborations.
While some practitioners confess to the time-consuming nature of maintaining a virtual presence, others see it as an inevitable aspect of modern medicine.
For starters, social media can be a powerful marketing tool to spread the word about their practice and, much like any other professional, get more clients. And while older generations may frown upon their doctor’s dance routine, Millenials and Gen Z prospects would probably feel more comfortable with a playful and relatable online presence.
Also, many see it as a great way to build a like-minded community and reach people not just in their area but worldwide. This way, doctors can share expert advice, combat misinformation, and dispel myths in front of a much larger audience.
The Verdict: To Dance Or Not to Dance?
So, should your doctor be dancing on TikTok? The answer lies in the delicate balance of professionalism and the evolving rhythm of modern communication. More and more patients weigh the benefits of increased accessibility, community building, and education against concerns about time allocation, authenticity, privacy, and a doctor-patient relationship compromised for the sake of social media stardom.
Ultimately, the success of a doctor’s foray into social media should be measured by patient comfort and satisfaction. As the curtain falls, we hope that our doctors continue to prioritise our well-being over online applause, ensuring that the dance of modern medicine remains in harmony with the principles of patient care.