Texts and tweets help an M.D. connect with her patients

How one physician maintains a professional bond through social media

Physicians get bogged down, even discouraged, by a flood of paperwork, insurance claims and litigious ordeals.

But a pediatric endocrinologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital says social media has brought the joy back to her practice. With texting, joining Facebook and using Twitter, she says she’s been able to make a difference and improve the quality of care she gives to patients.

“It feels good,” says Jennifer Shine Dyer, M.D., MPH. “You still have to deal with the medical, paperwork and insurance denials, but I can tell you that the cynicism decreased a lot. I don’t know how you can measure that.”

Health literacy is one of her biggest passions, and she’s using social media to keep people informed. Even though some doctors might avoid social media because of HIPAA concerns, she thinks it’s better to jump into the conversation, instead of staying out of it.

“We are responsible to our profession to keep a patient’s privacy safe,” Dyer says. “You do have to be extra careful about what you say, but sometimes, you have to be willing to take a little risk to be significant and relevant.”