Cast & Curious

Blog

  • Social Media Usage Survey among Filipino Physicians

    [quote]We are the social media capital of the world. We have the fastest internet and mobile phone penetrations and yet, we don’t know what are we using social media for?[/quote]

    In the last five years, internet usage in the Philippines has grown tremendously to 531%  from a mere 2% in 2008. That figure is the highest in SouthEast Asia and one of the highest in the world. Mobile phone penetration also topped a whooping 107% in 2012. The most recent survey by GlobalWebIndex also found  the Philippines to lead the world in social media engagement.  Facebook remains the social media platform of choice for Filipinos with 92.2% penetration, but Twitter, Youtube and other social media platforms is catching up.

    Despite this mind boggling usage growth, internet penetration is a shy 36% in 2012 and mobile smartphone penetration at a meek 15% in September of 2013. There are many assumptions on what the Filipinos are using the social media for but specific statistics remains elusive.  Are we using social media for personal, entertainment or to socialize? We don’t know, as of yet. I am not yet talking about social media healthcare but the answer should be a louder “we don’t know, yet!” .

    The thing is,  social media’s fast becoming a platform for healthcare engagement in developed nations. Take a look at this infographic in the US.

    digital-doctor-survey-zocdoc-588x908 (1)
    Infographic from HCSM monitor website (http://hcsmmonitor.com/2013/12/20/how-did-doctors-use-social-media-in-2013/)

    We are the social media capital of the world. We have the fastest internet and mobile phone penetrations and yet, we don’t know for sure how we are using social media for.

    This is why collaborators at #healthxph initiated this survey to document the social media usage among Filipino Physicians. Healthxph is a collaborative platform for community of Filipino physicians discussing the use of emerging technologies and social media in healthcare. We need to get the pulse of the physician community and come up with a strategy to effect change on our healthcare system vis-a vis, social media.

    This our plea to our colleagues in the medical profession.

    Please answer this  Social Media Survey Usage of Filipino Physicians. It will take less than 5 minutes of your internet time. All data gathered in this survey will remain confidential except for the demographics which might be used, for academic purposes. Identities of those surveyed will remain anonymous and private unless explicit consent from individual owners that their social media accounts be opened to public.

    At the end of the survey, demographic results will be emailed to all who participated in the study and will be posted at healthxph.net

    Resources

    As the internet turns 25, China has 2.5 times more users than US
    http://blog.globalwebindex.net/internet-turns-25

    Mobile Penetration in Southeast Asia: 2013 Data Roundup
    http://www.tigermine.com/2013/12/12/mobile-penetration-southeast-asia-2013-data-round/

    Global Map of Social Networking 2011
    https://globalwebindex.net/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2011/06/Global-Map-of-Social-Networking-GlobalWebIndex-June-20112.pdf

    Social, Digital and Mobile: Philippines
    http://wearesocial.net/blog/2012/01/social-digital-mobile-philippines/

    PH Internet audience growth fastest in Southeast Asia
    http://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/technology/35384-philippine-internet-audience-growth-comscore

    HOW DID DOCTORS USE SOCIAL MEDIA IN 2013?

    How Did Doctors Use Social Media In 2013?

  • What’s your manifesto as a patient on Social Media? #HealthXPh Feb 22 Tweetchat and HOA

    One request I often get from tech and social media savvy patients is this, “Doc, can I add you as my friend on Facebook?”.

    My reply is something like this : “ No, I don’t add patients as friends on facebook, but you can communicate with me on my professional facebook page”.  I sometimes draw flak on this social media policy but as I’ve mentioned in our last #HealthXPh tweet chat and Hangout On Air (Social Media and Medical Professionalism: A manifesto from #HealthXPh) this is the best setup for me and my patients so far.

    I do realize though that patients probably wanted a  social media manifesto of their own, just like their physicians. This manifesto empowers patient to “own up” their health and bring health care conversations to their level.

    To refresh, a manifesto as defined by Merriam-Webster.com, is :

    a written statement that describes the policies, goals, and opinions of a person or group.

    A social media manifesto self commits an individual- a patient or a healthcare professional, how he/she intends to behave on the different social media platforms.  We at #HealthXPh believe a manifesto is different from a guideline. A guideline  is enforced by a governing body based on existing laws and policies. In the Philippines, we don’t have healthcare social media laws or governing bodies yet. A manifesto is more powerful because it’s an expression of what an individual or group’s  intends to do on social media.

    If you are a patient and wanted to join the conversation on patient’s social media manifesto, join us this Saturday February 22, 2014 10:00 AM Philippine Standard Time (UTC + 8 ) on #HealthXPh tweet chat and Hangout On Air.

  • How to start (or join) a Google+ Hangout On Air

    (This is a three part mini series by the author on Google+ ‘s Hangout on Air. The first part explains why #HealthXPh chose Hangout On Air as a platform for its online conversations. The second part is a mini how-to, to help out healthcare advocates set up their own HOA. The third part will deal on HOA etiquette which we hopefully would incorporate on future HOA)

    We’ve been using twitter (tweet chat) and Hangout On Air (HOA) for our online conversations here at #HealthXPh. So far, it’s been a fun and learning experience for us. The thing is, there’s just five of us who have  joined the #HealthXPh HOA. The rest I supposed, are lurking on the the youtube feed. Why?

    Setting up an HOA or joining one is a bit frustrating sometimes.  The technical aspect repels most people.  I remember starting a live HOA before, with just me on it. I couldn’t find the “invite” button. Well guess what?! The youtube video recorded a confused face appearing to fix something for 15 minutes.  So much for the techie guy  huh?

    This is why  I am writing an HOA mini how to. So you won’t end up looking “confused” inside an HOA!  At the end of this article, I hope you try out HOA and join us in our regular #HealthXPh HOA discussions. The best way to learn new apps/tools online like Hangouts on Air is to try it out yourself.

    A. What you need:

    • A computer/laptop/smartphone (iOS/Android)
    • A web browser (Chrome preferably) if you have a desktop/laptop or Google Plus app + Hangout plugin for smartphones
    • A working webcam and headset for the video chat

    B. To broadcast an HOA live (or join an HOA) you need to set up the following  first. (Click the hyperlinks for help )

    C. There are two ways you can start an HOA. You can start one immediately or schedule a Hangout On Air with an event page. I recommend the later. Here are the steps you need to do: (Got these steps from this HOA help page)

    1. Go to Hangouts On Air.
    2. Click Start a Hangout On Air.
    3. Create a name and a description in the first two boxes.
    4. Choose a start time:
      • Choose Now to start the Hangout On Air  immediately after you create the event page.
      • Choose Later and fill in the date and time for when you want your Hangout On Air to start.
    5. Choose your audience: This is the audience that can see the Google+ event page. For maximum reach, “Public” is recommended. Adding specific people and circles ensures they receive a notification. Regardless of the audience you choose here, the Hangout On Air will be publicly viewable on YouTube.
    6. Click Share to schedule your Hangout On Air.

    People can RSVP to your Hangout On Air through the event page and view on multiple devices. (Remember though this does not automatically include you in the HOA during the broadcast. The even page is just an announcement page to make people aware of the scheduled HOA. The host still needs to invite you thru a video call once the HOA started.)

    D. Upload a video or an image (This is an optional step, and I haven’t tried this one yet)

    Once your event page has been created, you can add a video or image as a custom trailer for your Hangout On Air. If you don’t add one, your users will see a countdown clock to the event.

    To add a custom video, click Add a trailer and add a YouTube video by either searching, entering a YouTube URL, or selecting a video already uploaded to your YouTube account.

    To add a custom image, click Add a trailer and add an image.

    E. Collect audience questions before your Hangout On Air starts

    You can turn on the Q&A app from the event page to gather questions from the audience before your Hangout On Air starts and answer them during the broadcast. When you start the Hangout On Air, open the Q&A app to see the list of questions asked.

    F. Start broadcasting your scheduled Hangout On Air

    1. Go to your Hangout On Air event in your Google+ events page.
    2. Click Start in your event.
    3. Invite your participants.
    4. Click Start Broadcast to go live.

    Once you start your Hangout On Air, you can also add more features and apps to your Hangout On Air. Below is an example of youtube’s  recording of an #HealthXPh weekly Hangout On Air:

    G. How do I join an HOA?

    Joining an HOA can be a bit confusing too.  When someone schedules an HOA, the link created lead you to the Youtube feed, not the HOA itself. The host should create an event page first, announcing the scheduled HOA, then invite everyone to the event. This way, the potential audience will be aware of the scheduled HOA. During the actual HOA  and prior to the live broadcast, the host will have to invite you again thru a video call.  This has been the case for us so far. Here are the steps for joining an HOA:

    1. Go to your hangout plugin and wait for a video call invite.
    2. Once you receive a video call, click “join”.  A pop up screen will warn you that you are joining a live broadcast. After checking the ticker that says yes, you will then be brought to the HOA screen.
    3. Once inside the live HOA, check to see if your hangout apps are all working- screen share, Q&A, cameraman, mute/unmute button and your  hide/unhide camera button.
    4. Wait for the host/moderator to acknowledge you. It’s also good habit to check if the moderator can hear/see you.
    5. Introduce yourself to the group briefly before joining any discussion.
    6. Speak only when the moderator ask you to speak. Mute your mic if its not your turn to speak yet.
    7. Do not open the youtube feed of the HOA together with the HOA window to prevent echoes from ruining your conversations.

    Like any discussions, HOAs are moderated usually by the host. He or she has control of almost everything inside HOA. Thus, the host plays a central role that keeps the HOA lively and highly interactive. If you are invited in an HOA that would mean you can ask questions and interact with the speakers/panel at a designated time.

    Thats it! In my next post, I will be suggesting HOA ground rules and etiquette. Watch out for it!

  • Is There Value to Social Media in Philippine Health Care?

    In the January 11, 2014 edition of #HealthXPh’s tweet chat and Hangout on Air,  #HealthXPh community discussed the value of social media to healthcare. Dr. Iris Thiele Isip-Tan (@edocrine-witch)   nicely summed up what transpired during the tweet chat in her blog  The Endocrine Witch. As a follow through, I’m writing my responses here in the context of Philippine health care.

    What is social media? 

    Social media is a broad term that describes the use of mobile and web-based devices to turn what were typically one-way online “conversations” into open, interactive dialogue. These include blogs (WordPress, Blogspot, etc.), microblogs (Twitter) social and professional networking (Facebook, LinkedIn), community applications (Wikipedia, forums), geo-positioning software (Foursquare) and an ever-expanding list of “applications” (“apps”).-HiMSS Publication

    You can read more of social media in this page (Wikipedia on Social Media).

    Who is using it?

    Currently we don’t have Philippine data on healthcare social media usage.  Given that Filipinos are the world’s most active social media users, (with over 75% of the active online population using social media, compared with the global average of just over 50%- according to mediameasurement.com data; and this social media metrics too)  it’s not impossible that most if not all categories of healthcare stakeholders in the Philippines use social media too.

    The big question is, do these healthcare stakeholders use social media for healthcare purposes?

    T1: Is there value to social media use in healthcare?

    Social media provides value by connecting consumer (i.e. patients and support structure) with physicians/specialists, sources of information and specific support networks. It can also provide informational, communicative and emotional value to patients. Benefits to providers include the ability to quickly and proactively share information with patients.-HiMSS Publication

    In the Philippine context, yes. Social media has value when used in healthcare by any or all of its stakeholders. I wrote about the value of social media presence for healthcare professionals in 2011, here. In terms of patient engagement, much has to be explored and learned.

    The Filipino “friendliness”, “friend helping friend” or “bayanihan” attitude is postulated to be reason why Philippines is  the social media capital of the world. Such attitude easily recognizable across all social media networks where Filipinos are, could be of great value to support groups in health care.

    Sharing of healthcare information across social media networks is also of value for physicians and healthcare institutions. A well thought and implemented social media policy is a powerful tool for initial health consumer engagement. It may also be of alternative as a  patient follow through in areas where access to physicians and healthcare institutions is difficult.

    Some healthcare institutions in the Philippines are already using social media to solidify their online presence and engage their clientele. Physician associations and societies are beginning to build up their social media presence too. Of course, patient support groups sprouted and has been actively growing in numbers since.

    T2: What social media tools do you use for healthcare and how do you use them?

    Even if mobile sms isn’t  classified as social media, phones with texting interface to update social media networks have greyed social media definitions. With mobile sms to social media updates now possible, I use both sms and facebook (and sometimes twitter) to initially engage health consumers to come my clinics. I also use facebook to share health information.  To interact with colleagues and health care institution/academe, I use LinkedIn, twitter, facebook and now Google+. Each of this social media platforms has its advantages and disadvantages depending on the categories of healthcare stakeholders you are trying to target. I employ a mix of these platforms for better reach.

    T3: Do you think there should be guidelines on social media use in our hospitals/health care institutions?

    Of course there should be guidelines  to social media usage in healthcare. However, it should not be too restrictive to pin down social media’s potential to enhance patient engagement and healthcare collaboration. My idea of guidelines is akin to a digital version of a patient-doctor relationship offline, in the clinics. Privacy and confidentiality issues should be the same both offline or online. A digital consent maybe a step forward in this context. 

    My closing thoughts for this tweetchat/HOA/post, social media usage in healthcare is of value more so in the Philippine context. As to what category of healthcare stakeholders social media is of great value,  that’s where the guidelines should be developed. Taking cue from what @practicalwisdom has pointed in the #HealthXPh tweet chat,  there should be guidelines too on how we can explore further the value of social media for healthcare.  Not just restrictions. These guidelines will help explore social media usage to effect change in the Philippine health care system. 

    Photo credits to Social Media Explained in Healthcare in Visual.ly

  • Jan 4, 2014 #HealthXPh Tweet Chat and Hangout on Air Topic Responses

    It was a happy day of surprises for the #HealthXPh community as it officially launched the tweet chat and Google Hangout as platforms for health collaboration. For a community less than a month old, #HealthXPh’s tweet chat’s upsurge of activity (we hit 560+ impressions!) delighted us to no end. Big thanks to our friends and colleagues at #hcldr and the Filipino physicians for supporting the launching of tweet chat.

    The live tweet chat started on time while a hangout (instead of the scheduled Hangout on Air) started some 45 minutes after because of technical difficulties. Once the conversations on hangout rolled however, it snowballed into one live, highly interactive discussion on emerging technologies. We actually went into overtime by some 30minutes or so!

    Since we’re utilizing all medium as a platform for collaboration,  I’m answering the questions/topics in a blog post, here in my blog.

    [box style=”yellow question shadow” ]

    T1. What is #HealhXPh for core collaborators?[/box]

    HealthXPh is an enabling platform of collaboration for all the healthcare stakeholders -physicians, patients, healthcare institutions, academe and policy makers in the Philippines. It will engage all of these stakeholders to take a more active role in owning issues that affect their health. It aims to give stakeholders a new tool to increase reach beyond what mainstream media can in the discussions about health.

    [box style=”yellow question shadow” ]

    T2. What emerging technologies do you find important and relevant in healthcare?[/box]

    The mobile sms because of its reach and widespread use in the Philippines is still on top of these emerging technologies. With adaptation and maximization of its use to further healthcare programs and discussions is of great potential for an archipelagic country like the Philippines. I currently use sms to remind some of my distantly located patients of their follow -up schedule and specialist referrals.

    Social media also plays an important role for me in my clinical practice. This is mainly for patient education and collaboration with fellow physicians. I get queries from potential patients on facebook, twitter and sometimes Google+. All my social media interactions are aimed at encouraging patients to see a physician personally for their health questions and concerns.  While facebook and twitter may have the farthest reach,  I’m particularly interested with Google+ and all the app services attached to it. It’s potential as a platform for use to health is enormous. Most of these services, is free. Of course, blogging is an effective social media platform to further healthcare discussions and raise awareness. I’ve been blogging since 2006 and that spurred my interest into social media as a platform for collaboration in health!

    I do not consider email as an emerging technology nowadays but for the past decade, it has been a great tool for me in health. Research, training, discussions, updates, and lately to communicate with patients has all been quite a success.

    [box style=”yellow question shadow” ]

    T3 What do you think are the obstacles to the use of emerging technologies in healthcare?[/box]

    Many healthcare stakeholders in the Philippines adapt slowly to emerging technologies when it comes to health. Technical knowhow seem to be an apparent stumbling block. However, if you observe the use of emerging technologies in other segments of our society- business, entertainment and politics, this stumbling block seem negligible. Socially this is can be tied up to a bigger, more fundamental reality to Filipino’s priorities. Health and all other services attached to it, remains low on our priority scale. This is the behavior we wanted to change. With social media as a platform, #HealthXPh could hopefully effect a positive behavioral change to all stakeholders for a collaboration on health.

    Closing Thought (CT): What’s one thing you’ve learned in todays discussion that you can take to your place of influence to help a patient or colleague tomorrow?

    Foremost in my intention is to enlighten interested colleagues and patients regarding social media use in healthcare. Enlighten primarily mean allaying fears of physicians regarding social media usage and issues. The other is to come up with simpler “1-2-3  how to steps” for adapting to some social media tools they can use.

    Thanks to all those who joined and supported #HealthXPh tweetchat and Hangout on Air launch. See you again next week!

    [box style=”green info shadow” ]#HealthXPh tweet chat and Google Hangout on Air happens every Saturday 10 am Manila time (UTC +8 hours). Join the #HealthXPh community on Google Plus, facebook group, like our FB page and on twitter discussions using #HealthXPh hashtag. Subscribe to the HealthXPh blog (www.healthxph.net)  for more updates on email  and your RSS feeds.[/box]