Social media has become a part and parcel of everybody's life.Be it a Doctor or any other profession everyone is using it. Happy faces, fulfilled lives and successful professions are showcased on social media on varied platforms.
There are many benefits of using social media to market one's profession. It gives a ready platform for people to showcase their skills from the comfort of their home or office. Hence it is not surprising to see celebrities, artists,musicians , businessmen, and also doctors use the social media platforms to market their profession. Instagram algorithm requires a user to regularly post reels and stories on their insta handle. A couple of hours are easily spent each day to create a reel with good lighting and then subsequently post it after applying filters and editing.
Social media also helps to connect with peer groups residing anywhere in the world. The world has become a smaller place post COVID pandemic due to the maximum utilisation of these platforms. Some of the Physicians, academicians , researchers are available on social media and post reels regularly. Hence learning and knowledge acquisition has become easier.
For people from my generation, professional practice of a Doctor started in the traditional way and then social media came by. So, we had to learn how to use social media to reach out to people for professional gains. On occasions we also had to slowly detach from social media to focus more on our practice.
Students and youngsters whose whole life is all about social media, I wonder whether they will know any life outside of it.From using filters, to edit the pics and videos, everyone's life looks hunky dory.It's hard to believe what is true and what is fake in such a superficial world.This fierce competition to be better from the peers ,drowns the youngsters into depression.
Even though there are so many advantages to using AI and social media , the perils are also many.
It is not just students , professionals are also getting influenced by social media. In an attempt to be a part of the rat race , daily reels and insta stories are created and posted simultaneously.Doctors have become singers and performers.They are lauded for their skill to vaccinate the baby and sing at the same time. Once, I was taken back when I saw a reel where a Doctor was making weird hand gestures. To my amazement and dismay, pictures started popping up after these gestures. It was only after I had watched a couple of reels I could understand what the doctors were trying to express.In a futile attempt to showcase the practices and specialities of their clinic, these doctors were reduced to clowns.
The trend at present is to be an influencer by increasing the number of followers. The gimmick is to be an insta influencer and content creator on social media.With editing pics and creating reels I doubt there will be hardly any time for actual practice for a Doctor .The previous traditional way of Doctors practice is being replaced by insta Doctors ,who can act and create drama at the same time. This new trend of being an insta influencer, content creator gives a false hope to new doctors entering the profession. They expect a rise in the number of patients within a few months into practice. Instead, they are faced with the harsh reality. This causes anxiety and pushes them into depression.
Success needs hardwork and perseverance. if one utilises the time to create reels and stories ,then when will they have time for actual practice. Experience and confidence can only be gained by treating hundreds and thousands of patients.
Social media has many advantages too. It can be used as a secondary tool to reach out to the patients. Posting reels and stories related to one' s profession helps us to showcase our skill and also be in touch with the newer generation of patients and colleagues. Anything new can be hazardous or beneficial. It is up to us how much we weigh the pros and cons and utilise it for our benefit.
Too much of anything is too bad. At present I feel Social media should be consumed like medicine. Small quantity and only when required. This will keep us mentally and physically healthy .Only time will tell whether inculcating social media into practice is the right way while treating patients. We will have to wait and see.