Why Social Media Matters for Radiologists

Why should radiologists care about social media?

That’s where your patients and referring physicians are, said Garry Choy, MD, a radiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and a co-founder of the networking site radRounds.

“We really have the opportunity to interact with all our stakeholders in this environment,” Choy said.

In a recent interview, Choy offered a few pointers on getting involved in social media:

First, start on a personal level, setting up your own Facebook page or Twitter account to get familiar with the platform.

Then try to apply that to the practice or hospital setting, without being afraid to experiment with the new approach.

Look at what other larger health care organizations are doing with regard to social media, taking tips on the information they share.

Choy cautioned radiologists to remember to consult their legal department or organization policies around social media. And always remember to conduct yourself on social media as you would in the real world, being careful to protect patient privacy and acting professionally.