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Social media has emerged as a crucial platform for physicians to combat medical misinformation and reach underserved communities, according to healthcare professionals who have successfully integrated digital outreach into their practices.
Dr. Monzur Morshed, a cardiologist, recently shared a powerful example of social media’s impact on patient care. A woman visited his clinic after watching his educational video about heart attack symptoms in women, which he had recorded in Bengali.
“Doctor, I did not know women can have different symptoms than men. That is why I came in today,” the patient told him. This encounter highlights how accessible, multilingual health content can prompt timely medical interventions.
The reality of modern healthcare information consumption is shifting dramatically. For many patients, particularly those in immigrant and minority communities, platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube have become primary sources of health information rather than traditional medical literature or healthcare websites.
“When physicians are absent from these digital spaces, we effectively leave the stage open for misinformation,” Dr. Morshed explains. From unproven weight-loss supplements to dangerous claims about vaccines or heart disease, patients regularly encounter misleading advice while scrolling through their feeds.
Beyond basic education, physicians who establish an online presence can reach traditionally underserved communities through content in their native languages. This approach builds trust outside clinical settings, making patients more comfortable seeking formal care when needed.
Healthcare professionals are also finding that social media provides an effective platform for public health advocacy on issues ranging from air pollution to healthcare access disparities. Additionally, established physicians modeling responsible digital communication help guide the next generation of medical professionals in developing these increasingly essential skills.
Despite these benefits, medical professionals must navigate significant challenges when engaging online. Patient privacy remains paramount, with experts emphasizing that even minor details shared without consent could potentially identify individuals. Clear boundaries are also essential, as social media content should provide general education rather than personalized medical advice.
Professionalism standards that apply in clinical settings extend to digital platforms, requiring the same level of respect, accuracy, and compassion. Rather than directly engaging with misinformation through argumentative approaches, healthcare professionals find greater success by consistently offering evidence-based alternatives.
“A guiding principle for physicians online should be to educate, not diagnose,” notes Dr. Morshed. “Share knowledge, not individual treatment plans.”
For physicians hesitant to begin, experts recommend starting with a single platform where they feel most comfortable. Short, clear posts using accessible language often prove more effective than lengthy technical explanations. Consistency builds audience trust more effectively than sporadic viral content, and collaboration with colleagues or community leaders can extend reach.
Medical professionals emphasize that effective online engagement doesn’t require becoming a social media “influencer.” Even modest but authentic, accurate contributions can significantly impact public health understanding.
Medicine has historically adapted to meet patients where they are—whether through house calls, community health fairs, or hospital settings. In 2025, that increasingly means establishing a responsible digital presence.
“When physicians engage on social media with responsibility and integrity, we expand the reach of our care beyond hospital walls,” Dr. Morshed reflects. “We meet patients in their living rooms, on their phones, and in their daily lives, long before a crisis brings them to the ER.”
For the patient who sought care after watching a simple educational video, that digital connection may have been lifesaving—a powerful reminder of how responsible medical voices online can cut through misinformation and potentially save lives.
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8 Comments
This article highlights an important public health challenge – the rise of medical misinformation online. Kudos to the doctors who are proactively using social media to educate and empower their patients.
This article raises an important point – when doctors are not present on social media, the door is left open for misinformation to spread unchecked. Proactive digital engagement by medical professionals is critical.
As more patients turn to platforms like Facebook, TikTok and YouTube for medical advice, the responsibility for physicians to provide credible, accessible health information online becomes increasingly vital.
Agreed. The medical community must adapt to these changing patient behaviors and leverage social media to deliver evidence-based guidance.
The shifting healthcare information landscape, with social media becoming a primary source, underscores why physicians need to be actively involved in these digital spaces. Combating misinformation requires a multi-pronged approach.
The example of the patient who sought care after seeing the doctor’s educational video in Bengali is a great illustration of the impact digital outreach can have. Multilingual content is crucial for serving underrepresented groups.
Absolutely. Meeting patients where they are, on the platforms they use, is key to improving health outcomes, especially for marginalized populations.
Interesting to see how physicians are leveraging social media to combat misinformation and reach diverse communities. This highlights the importance of medical experts being active online to provide trusted, accurate health information.