How Social Media Can Help Connect Providers To e-Patients

Excellent explanation of how social media can be used to equip, engage, enable and empower patients.  Kent Bottles M.D gives a succinct talk advocating doctors learn how to use the social media landscape as leaders. He ends with an excellent grab advocating 'use patients as a resource', stating the medical profession has not done a very good job of it to date.

With the rise of health activists online - these tribal leaders of very large health communities should be engaged in the conversation.

We are already seeing these bloggers and social media leaders now participating in medical conferences as they share personal insights into their diseases and patient education. For myself I have noticed my invite requests to speak at various medical conferences including facilitating blogger panels has grown significantly in the last 12 months and attribute it to this growing trend.

The conversational power of bloggers to engage with their tribes provides powerful educational opportunities for health communities. Social media shouldn't be something to be frightened of, used wisely it can influence positive behavioural change.

Note: Healthivate a bloggers conference to be held in Sydney March 2, 2013 will discuss these very issues, the power of the e-patient and the society of participatory medicine. Tickets are available should you wish to attend.