“One of the hangups for a lot of doctors is this inherent assumption with social media that it only exists to engage with patients. Nothing could be further from the truth”

Twitter touted as tool to sway minds

Dr. Vartabedian, associate professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, has spoken about social media at meetings of the American College of Physicians and other physician organizations. In a forthcoming ebook, The Public Physician—Practical Wisdom for Life in a Connected, Always-On World, he offers detailed advice to help doctors thrive in the age of Twitter and tablet computers. He notes that social-media engagement’s greatest value may come in sparking communication with fellow health care professionals.

“One of the hangups for a lot of doctors is this inherent assumption with social media that it only exists to engage with patients. Nothing could be further from the truth,” Dr. Vartabedian says. “In fact, when you look at the public stream and then tens of thousands of doctors on there now—a lot of the conversation is professional to professional.”