If you are a physician, or any other public person, there exists a great deal of information about you that is readily available to anyone with access to a computer and some google skills. Physicians, it seems, are among the most public of figures, and with a couple of key strokes, potential patients--or anyone for that matter--can learn the entire work history, training history, and any disciplinary history for any physician, any where in the USA, 24 hours a day. And most of this information is supplied not by the physicians themselves, but by third party data entry personnel, some who work for the state, and some who are employed by for-profit companies. In other words, there is dialogue that goes on about you, and you have no part in what is being said.
Here is a simple, low or no cost way to combat this dialogue.
Take part in it.
Engage it. Add to it. Reply to it. Embrace it, and eventually, control it. How?
Blog.
By blogging actively and transparently--in your own name--you can influence the dialogue that already exists and turn it in your own favor. Your blog should be compelling, honest, and well written, and if it meets those criteria, people will find it and link to it. The more posts, the more links, and the higher the google organic ranking. Plus, it's fun, and you'll make friends.
All of your posts should be linked to your own website, if you have one, and--this is key--you must blog in your own name and be proud of what you write.
This way, you can influence the conversation that takes place in cyberspace that is about you.
Thanks for listening,
The IU, aka Richard A Schoor MD, urologist, Long Island, NY
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
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9 comments:
Excellent points I.U.!
I think I have already told you that last Dec. I told my private doc that I contacted a urologist on line to ask a question about the Boari flap/Psoas hitch surgery and I mentioned that he was a young doc and my doc blurted out,"He'd have to be if he's blogging! Who has time for that?"
I know there are time constraints involved but I also think there are so many professionals that just don't get how many people do research on the internet and how popular blogging and web pages are. My consulting urologist (your friend is a part of that group)has a great web site that helped reassure me and pave the way for me (a very resistant patient) to go there. Of course now I wouldn't hesitate and his bio is everything he says he is and he is even better than his bio! (Think I have said that before too - sorry about the repetition.)
Your right - there are a lot of search engines out there to look up doctors. I admit I have been curious and looked up doctors I know that I have worked with and gone to. It is interesting and the public should be able to know about their education, etc. I have never once read a doctor's degrees on the wall. I would but they are usually not easily seen or maybe I should just where my contacts! :) I would never pay for info though - I don't care that much! I don't mean anything negative by that - it's just not necessary but I guess some people would - hence your point.
I am careful with what I write although sometimes I worry my sense of humor might be on the edge in others comments. I'm not at all mean spirited or vulgar - maybe a bit frisky sometimes but not bad. As you know (since seeing that e-mail meant only for someone else) I do sometimes question my humor because I know once it's in writing it's out there. I even worried that I put up pics of all those urinals on that "Fly on the Urinal-Aiming to Please" post I did. A couple of friends thought I shouldn't have used the word breast in one of my posts but gee we are talking human anatomy here. I am extremely careful about never using identifying info for myself or anyone else. I would never breach someone's confidentiality and I am careful about me as well. I suppose it is possible that some local hospital person or urology staff might recognize me through what I have said about me but I am not concerned with that. Matter of fact I told my urologist's clinical mgr/nurse way back when I started but most people I know don't know what blogging is and really don't care. I just wish that the people I know that come in to read it would leave comments once in awhile. I tell them if they're shy just come in anonymously but find a way to tell me who you are. The reason I started a blog is so I could comment and to me the comments and getting a dialog going is fun - even if disagreeing.
Speaking of confidentiality - when I do get my new job I will not mention it in my blog other than to say I got one and maybe what I am doing because if they were to lnow I blog I don't want them to be concerned that I am going to violate confidentiality - which I never would anyway.
I know you are talking about professionals so sorry that I digressed.
I think they also have to be the type of people that enjoy writing.
At the very least they should have a web site with bios and pics with info about their practice. then it is a good platform to sell themselves even more if they want to.
I am thinking of the local hospitals that send out the small booklets (name of them escapes me) that give news about new developments in the hospital or about the doctors, etc. I still remember one from way back where there was a pic of my OBGYN and an article because he was the first doc to do an in vitro fertilization. These things do stick with people and even if they don't go then there is the word of mouth.
Speaking of blogs - have you ever read Panda Bear? That doc could have a career in writing! he's on my sidebar.
Also - you are right - you do make friends blogging. Obviously -unless someone (like you) and Dr Schwab) has put their real name out there - we can't really know who we are interacting with and should be cautious but I do think certain personalities do shine through.
Speaking of friends - you have been one of sorts and as I have already told you-your enthusiasm in setting up your solo practice has been inspiring (even though apples and oranges in what I will do)and commenting has kept everything fresh and I have learned things along the way which in turn will empower me for any interview I have.
I saw a local Doc advertising in the paper tonight for the kind of work I do. Ha! I watched his kids once when they were little as he needed to leave them in the waiting room so he could see a patient. I don't know him as we only passed in the work areas when he came in but he seems to be a nice guy and I know he is a good doc. I was really tempted to mail my resume in but I am having something else medical checked next week and want to be sure that I am free. Getting restless - all in do time though.
Seaspray, thanks for the comment. Be careful about blogging at work, as some office have policies about it. Otherwise, keep it up.
Good morning I.U. - I don't ever use the computer at work for personal information. For one thing, at the hospital - everything you do on a computer leaves a trail with your name on it. Systems can look at anything anytime and see where you have been or read your personal stuff.
Every year during our evaluation we had to sign something stating that we would not use the system for personal use or it could be reason for dismissal. However, they didn't enforce it and it seemed that everyone did. Still, I never did anything than go to a known/safe news site during down time. I was always amazed at the e-mails (forwards) people sent and I mean even from people high up in the corporation. those things run the risk of viruses so I don't know why they were allowed. I would send out what was sent to me but I never brought something in to the system.
I don't have any problem with not using the computer for personal use at work. Although, now that I am a confessed blogaholic - who knows? ;) Just kidding (I think) No - really - I can play by the rules. :)
Of course if it is ok on a break - then I would probably go check for comments on my blog or others - but not at all necessary.
Dr A. invited me to join the Blogaholics Anonymous blog a while back and I will but just haven't gotten to it as yet. All are welcome there. You should check it out. I also bought my self a blogaholics mug from Moof's store (she's on my side bar)and it has my SeaSpray logo along with SeaSpray in lower r corner of logo. It was a birthday present to myself and every time I see it - I smile because I love blogging that much. :)
Speaking of being careful what you write - have you read Dr Schwab's recent posts on what happens in the OR after patients get their pre-op drugs, etc? You may remember from some of my writing in my blog and else where that unnerves me a bit - actually ever since 1988!
So more recently it started with medblog addict's interview with Dr Schwab as July Calendar boy that got me going again and so I posted and put up the Youtube clip of Meredith under the effect of the drugs. (I swear as much as I can remember I have not done that but I am the breezy, friendly type)I linked his posts to it and then he put up 2 more posts about it. Anyway - I left a comment on his Eau d'OR post that was intended in good fun but if any new co-workers were to come across it in the future I would hope that they have a sense of humor and could appreciate the spirit in which it is written. Otherwise - I would just stop.
Just imagine Dr Schoor - if you had a patient that developed a Pavlovian response to seeing your white coat or blue scrubs - you would definitely have to avoid the waiting room! ;)
Nice post. Could not agree more with the benefits of blogging - plus I find that collectively, the blog-o-sphere is a lot smarter than I am.
Regarding the employer issue - I asked permission first. They were reluctant, but have seen the benefits over time.
Just my 2 cents -
Keep up the great work!
Hi I.U. - it occurred to me that if you haven't had time to see Dr Schwab's post that you wouldn't know what I was talking about with the Pavlovian response and so the following was part of my comment in the Eau d'OR.
"My nether regions have been exposed so much over the last 16 mos - I am surprised that every time I see a white coat or blue scrubs that I don't automatically assume the stirrup position, you know...like some Pavlovian response! (would really be embarrassing in the waiting room!)"
And there was more. :)
Also, thank you for your advice about being careful about personal computer use at work. I agree with Dr Wes that asking permission is always a good thing whether a physician in a group wanting to post about work or an office worker wanting to use the computer for personal use and then act accordingly.
I think it's great that you can blog under your own name. Being female, makes me more cautious of putting out a real life name. I can still be honest and who I am, they just don't have the full name to go by.
I agree with you on not blogging about work in some of our positions. I wish I could talk more openly about some of my work frustrations, but I try to steer clear of what I do for a living. Some know, but I don't get into it when I write.
Thanks for this post, Richard! I've included it in the Medicine 2.0 Blog Carnival at The Health Wisdom Blog.
This is the most fantastic blog I've read in a while!...I used to work for 4 Urologists who were later taken over by Integrated Medical Professionals....what a waste that was! I loved my job but because a third party came into play it ruined our office..I was forced to leave because they were cutting a lot of privledges that weve worked hard to earn. I moved to FL to be with family and continued to work for 4 Urologists now Im having second thoughts and i plan to return to Long Island within the next month. Id hate to return to that office but I feel as though Ill be forced to....everywhere I turn there are third parties involved!! Id have more success working for 7-11. Anyone know one thats hiring?!?!?!
Give me a call!
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