Recently, a patient visited my busy clinic clutching her phone. She had just viewed one of my brief educational videos on heart attack warning signs, presented in Bengali. She shared with me, “Doctor, I was unaware that women might experience different symptoms than men. That’s what prompted my visit today.”

This sincere conversation may indeed have been pivotal in saving her life. And it happened not within a hospital, but through a potent social media platform.

The necessity for doctors to engage online

For numerous patients, particularly those from immigrant and minority backgrounds, social media serves as their main resource for health information. They don’t always peruse journals or medical websites. Rather, they scroll through Facebook, TikTok, or YouTube.

Sadly, these platforms are saturated with misinformation. From miracle weight-loss drinks to inaccurate claims regarding vaccines or heart diseases, patients are inundated with deceptive, and at times hazardous, advice.

By being absent in these arenas, we allow misinformation to take center stage. By participating, we offer reliable voices that patients can identify and trust.

The advantages extend beyond patient education.

Doctors who leverage social media effectively can:

• Connect with underserved populations. A brief video in a person’s native language might be the initial instance they receive trustworthy advice they can comprehend.
• Establish trust. When patients view doctors outside of clinical settings, they often feel more at ease when seeking care.
• Promote change. Social media is a substantial tool for spotlighting public health matters like air pollution, care accessibility, and health inequities.
• Instruct the next generation. Young trainees are observing how we communicate. By demonstrating responsible outreach, we present them with innovative ways to educate.

I have personally witnessed how patients who encountered me via a community video arrived at the hospital more informed and better equipped to handle their health.

However, it must be approached with caution.

The silver lining of opportunity often comes with risks. Doctors on social media encounter challenges that require careful navigation:

• Confidentiality. Patient information must never be disclosed without permission. Even minor details can inadvertently reveal someone’s identity.
• Limits. Social media should not replace medical advice. Posts ought to be general, educational, and not tailored prescriptions.
• Professional conduct. The same principles we uphold in clinics must apply online. Respect, accuracy, and kindness should always drive communication.
• Combatting misinformation. Engaging in disputes is alluring but seldom fruitful. Instead, providing clear, evidence-backed alternatives proves to be more efficient.

A guiding principle: Educate, don’t diagnose. Share knowledge, not personal treatment strategies.

How to begin

For physicians who feel apprehensive, here are straightforward ways to start responsibly:

• Select one platform. Begin where you feel most at ease, whether that’s LinkedIn for professional insights or Facebook for community engagement.
• Keep it straightforward. Short, clear posts or videos have a greater impact than lengthy discussions.
• Use your patients’ language. Both literally and metaphorically. Utilize simple terms, and when feasible, communicate in languages your community understands.
• Be consistent. Posting once is beneficial. Regular posting fosters trust and familiarity.
• Collaborate. Partner with colleagues, students, or community leaders to expand your reach.

Doctors don’t need to become influencers. A handful of genuine, accurate posts can create a more significant impact than viral but misleading content.

Final thoughts

Medicine has always revolved around meeting patients where they are, whether in clinics, through home visits, or at community events. In 2025, “where they are” frequently implies online.

When physicians interact on social media with accountability and integrity, we broaden the scope of our care beyond hospital confines. We connect with patients in their homes, on their phones, and within their everyday lives, long before a crisis leads them to the ER.

For my patient who entered the clinic after viewing a simple video, that presence was transformative. And for countless others scrolling through their feeds today, a doctor’s voice could be the one that pierces through the noise and saves a life.

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