Matthew Katz, MD is Medical Director, Radiation Oncology at Lowell General Hospital in the Greater Boston Area. But those on Twitter and in the blogosphere know him as “subatomicdoc”: a ‘handle’ he’s been using for a number of years on the Internet.
Thursday December 12, Dr. Katz was the guest on the Health Communication, Health Literacy and Social Sciences Twitter chat #HCHLITSS and shared his experiences as a physician who is active on Twitter.
From early on he has understood the importance of being involved in social media.
A4: Through @Digg I learned the power of community & sharing w/ the general public. When it imploded, I migrated to @Twitter #hchlitss
— Matthew Katz (@subatomicdoc) December 13, 2013
Here are 5 reasons for being active on social media.
1) Learning from patients:
As a guest on HCHLITSS, Dr. Katz was asked
Q3) @subatomicdoc You started to follow #bcsm during the second or third chat…what have you learned from #breastcancer #patients that you didn’t know before participating?
A3: #bcsm and other Tweet chats have made me a better listener #hchlitss — Matthew Katz (@subatomicdoc) December 13, 2013
A3: Participating in #bcsm gives me insight into some of the fears and concerns my patients may have but don’t voice #hchlitss — Matthew Katz (@subatomicdoc) December 13, 2013
The Breast Cancer Social Media chat #BCSM started July 4, 2011 and Dr. Katz has been there providing guidance but also receiving support.
@IM4PBS @chemobrainfog And I am the beneficiary learning from you, the #bcsm community and my patients the meaning of courage and love. — Matthew Katz (@subatomicdoc) January 24, 2012
@stales @ccchronicles We all die, and yet the medical community, and society at large, don’t seem to accept this as natural. #bcsm — Matthew Katz (@subatomicdoc) January 24, 2012
@subatomicdoc Great question – think docs need to understand/ask how the patient’s emotional adjustment is; especially w/younger pts #bcsm — Jody Schoger (@jodyms) January 10, 2012
@ccchronicles Yes, it is. Depression can sneak up on you. Listening is key for clinicians to discover it and help. #bcsm — Matthew Katz (@subatomicdoc) January 10, 2012
@anetto Yes, but I learn more than I impart. It’s a great time to be practicing medicine. #hchlitss — Matthew Katz (@subatomicdoc) December 13, 2013
2) Teaching patients:
Social media provides a rare opportunity to teach and reach thousands.
@talkabouthealth @AdamsLisa @BCSMchat Doctor = teacher in Latin. Science and psychology yes, but teaching too. #bcsm — Matthew Katz (@subatomicdoc) July 5, 2011
@hchlitss A4: Going online was great for learning. But I saw an opportunity to share what I knew, too. #hchlitss — Matthew Katz (@subatomicdoc) December 13, 2013
Many physicians worry about being misinterpreted on the Internet but Dr. Katz doesn’t.
A3: I also have learned how to share my professional experience as a resource without being medical advice. #hchlitss — Matthew Katz (@subatomicdoc) December 13, 2013
3) Continuing medical education:
Social media is pervasive in our society. Hiding from it isn’t productive.
@hchlitss A4: I learned during residency that as much as I had learned, what I didn’t know was vaster. #hchlitss — Matthew Katz (@subatomicdoc) December 13, 2013
A4: In my opinion, it is also an ethical and professional obligation to evolve. That’s why it’s called medical ‘practice’. #hchlitss — Matthew Katz (@subatomicdoc) December 13, 2013
A4: Social media are powerful communications tools. I believe doctors are morally obligated to communicate better. #hchlitss — Matthew Katz (@subatomicdoc) December 13, 2013
4) Learning about your profession:
Through discussions with patients from all walks of life, physicians can learn more about the way they are perceived as a group.
@whymommy Any illness is part of a journey and who we are. We are not our illnesses. #bcsm — Matthew Katz (@subatomicdoc) October 11, 2011
@stales @ccchronicles We all die, and yet the medical community, and society at large, don’t seem to accept this as natural. #bcsm — Matthew Katz (@subatomicdoc) January 24, 2012
Our own fear of dying often gets in the way of listening and supporting. #bcsm — Matthew Katz (@subatomicdoc) January 24, 2012
@AdamsLisa @jodyms Doctors are fooling themselves if they think they’re scientists. But that’s what our training biases us toward #bcsm — Matthew Katz (@subatomicdoc) July 26, 2011
@AdamsLisa I agree science, scientific method is important. But it’s not a substitute for compassion, connectedness #bcsm — Matthew Katz (@subatomicdoc) July 26, 2011
@PracticalWisdom @regrounding I love questions – much better than answers in my opinion! #hchlitss — Matthew Katz (@subatomicdoc) December 13, 2013
And learning about yourself
@drkdhoffman Key is this. I’m a person first, citizen second doctor third, oncologist fourth, rad onc last. Have to get all right #hchlitss — Matthew Katz (@subatomicdoc) December 13, 2013
@BCSisterhood @Bethlgainer I’m a simple guy 🙂 And I’m continuously inspired by the bravery of those I’m lucky enough to care for. #bcsm — Matthew Katz (@subatomicdoc) July 12, 2011
5) Exchanging information with other healthcare providers:
@JediPD But is there only one truth? #bcsm
— Matthew Katz (@subatomicdoc) January 10, 2012
@AskDocG @chemobrainfog Active listening is a challenging but critical skill. I’m still practicing, building upon my skills. #bcsm — Matthew Katz (@subatomicdoc) September 20, 2011
Being active on social media can be a daunting prospect for physicians and other healthcare providers. But it is worth it.
Courage is fear that has said its prayers. – Anonymous #bcsm #quote — Matthew Katz (@subatomicdoc) July 12, 2011
