Social Media for Doctors: Top Platforms, Content Ideas, and Examples

Social Media Content Ideas for Doctors

Now that you know all the benefits of social media for doctors, let’s look at some content ideas and examples from physicians who’ve already amassed a large follower base.

Here are some examples of content doctors can share on their social media accounts:

1. Show behind-the-scenes content
2. Debunk myths
3. React to popular videos
4. Create helpful content
5. Share patients’ success stories
6. Host Q&As
7. Test health knowledge with quizzes

1. Show Behind-the-Scenes Content

Uncover what happens behind the scenes – what doctors see but patients don’t. 

People are always curious about the things they don’t have access to. That’s why bloopers or behind-the-scenes social media videos are so interesting. 

Sharing a new perspective also allows people to understand and appreciate a physician’s job better. 

Take a look at this TikTok video from a pathologist who explains their role in executing lab tests – something the general public can’t see.

The content should be informative yet accessible to a lay audience, helping to better understand the medical profession and highlighting the extensive work that goes into patient care behind the scenes.

2. Debunk Myths

Debunking myths is an excellent topic for content because it challenges popular misconceptions from the perspective of a trained professional. For audiences, it’s not only fascinating but also practical. 

Health myths usually stem from traditional beliefs and have no scientific proof. While many are harmless or not effective, others might pose risks. 

The rise of social media and self-proclaimed experts has led to a rapid spread of misinformation in all fields, including healthcare. As a professional, you are in a position to address inaccuracies, provide data-backed information, and educate.

Take inspiration from dermatologist Dr. Sam Ellis, who debunks some of the most popular hair care myths. 

3. React to Popular Videos

Creating content around topics that are already popular or trending is a great way to reach new audiences. While you can follow the trends, many doctors decide to react to them.

For instance, TikTok’s platform is built to promote trends – trending audios, dances, video formats, products, etc. As a result, many health and beauty trends start on this social channel.

In this video, dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss reacts to skincare trends from TikTok. The products and techniques she reviews are somewhat beneficial, but she also reveals they do not work as promoted.

Another video idea comes from Doctor Mike, who reacts to a popular episode from Grey’s Anatomy and gives medical commentary. 

As you can see, a certified physician can add much value by sharing informed opinions on popular social media or TV series videos. 

4. Create Helpful Content

Physicians have a lot of useful information to share, and depending on their specialty, they can cover diverse topics.

You can get ideas for helpful content by noting questions or cases you often get in your practice. Is there something many patients seem to miss or something you get asked about daily? 

Let’s look at an example of video marketing for dentists from Dr. John Yoo, who shares his oral care routine.

Covering such topics can educate your audience. Also, as your time during a patient’s visit is limited, you can point them to your resources for additional reliable information.

5. Share Patients’ Success Stories

Sharing success stories from your patients can be informative and inspirational, but it can also be promotional. 

Some doctors can create before-and-after collages of their patients. It is a popular approach when you want to demonstrate changes—maybe your patient has lost weight, improved their posture, or had a cosmetic procedure. Here’s an example from a dermatologist showing the results of a patient who received treatments for uneven skin tone. 

You can also share a patient’s success through written or video interviews. This format allows patients to speak from their perspective and vouch for your work, a strong trust signal. 

However, remember that you can be held liable for revealing information that may expose a patient’s identity. In this article’s “Protecting patient privacy” section, you’ll find more tips on safely sharing patients’ success stories.

6. Host Q&As

Q&A content allows you to answer common questions and build a connection with your audience. For Q&As, creators usually ask their followers to send them questions. As a result, active members of your audience feel seen and valued. 

Here are some ideas for hosting Q&A sessions on social media: 

• Use Instagram’s question sticker to collect questions and answer them in stories. 
• Gather questions through Instagram/TikTok comments and create a short video for every answer. 
• Ask your subscribers to submit questions as comments on YouTube and respond in your next video.
• Hold live Q&A sessions – live streaming is one of the top 2024 video trends, and it’s unique because it prioritizes real-time interactions and feedback.

Here’s a Q&A example from Violin MD, who shares her experience of becoming a doctor with medical students.

You can also ask users to submit questions on one social channel and reply on another. This way, you encourage people to follow and consume your content on different platforms. 

7. Test Health Knowledge with Quizzes

Quizzes are engaging and educational, and you can also use them to collect followers’ emails for campaigns outside of social media.

You can create native quizzes on Instagram, but they have limited data collection and analysis capabilities. With an online quiz maker, you can create interactive trivia quizzes and test your followers’ knowledge on health topics. 

Source: Opinion Stage

Users can also see clarifications about the correct answers, which provides additional context and helps educate them on the topic.

Challenges of Social Media for Doctors

While social media for doctors has many benefits, you also have to be cautious when building your online presence to avoid any ethical or legal conflicts.

Here are some of the challenges for doctors and other healthcare professionals when it comes to social media:

1. Giving medical advice online
2. Facing ethical issues
3. Limiting the spread of misinformation
4. Following employer policies
5. Protecting patient privacy

1. Giving Medical Advice Online

For medical professionals, it is best to avoid giving medical advice to their followers because, when you do, you become liable for the results they get.

In an online setting, you don’t have a way to examine a patient or gather details without exposing them to privacy threats. Also, you can’t verify that the information they’re providing is accurate.

Stick to sharing best practices and general tips, but refrain from establishing a doctor-patient relationship.

2. Facing Ethical Issues

Sponsored content, i.e., promotional content paid for by a brand, can lead to ethical conflicts of interest for doctors on social media. 

Before deciding to endorse a product, ensure that you’ve researched it in detail and are informed about local legislation surrounding advertising.

Partnering with brands is a typical revenue stream for influencers. Their main legal requirements are to have personal experience with the products they’re recommending and to clearly and visibly disclose advertisements.

However, if you are a physician endorsing a product, your audience can expect it to be clinically tested, proven to be effective, and in line with modern health standards. Medical ethics also require you to share information about adverse effects. 

3. Limiting the Spread of Misinformation

Misinformation is a serious concern about all online content. Due to their profession, doctors on social media are responsible for the accuracy of the health information they share. So, take extra care before citing studies and statistics or making bold statements.

When referencing studies, ensure they are reliable, preferably from reputable medical journals. Online creators often share information they’ve heard from other creators without researching the original sources.

That’s how misleading information such as “we use only 10% of our brains” gets diffused and widely believed to be true. 

Another pitfall is overpromising. If you make a bold claim and your advice doesn’t deliver, you lose the trust of your audience. It can be especially problematic when patients follow your online advice.

4. Following Employer Policies

Before starting with social media marketing, you must read your institution’s social media policy.

Most social media policy clauses are common sense – do not post anything that violates the law, looks unprofessional, compromises your employer’s reputation, or discloses confidential information.

However, some institutions are more strict, and they consider improper use of social media for doctors the following:

• Sharing patient pictures even with informed consent
• Posting personal videos filmed on the hospital’s facilities
• Using hospital devices to access social media during work hours.

If you are not sure, it’s better to check in advance to make sure your social media activities are permissible. Address any doubts to your superior or the HR team.

5. Protecting Patient Privacy

As a doctor, you have access to a lot of patient information, and it’s essential to manage it properly.

Start by reviewing the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) – a federal law outlining best practices for protecting patients’ health data.

When giving examples, it’s best to speak in generalities or to make fictional cases. In this way, you ensure that third parties cannot infer the identity of your patients.

If you want to post about a real case, especially when sharing photos, videos, interviews, etc., you must receive written consent from the patient or their guardian. They must understand the potential risks of sharing their story online.

Frequently Asked Questions