Rheumatologists Turn to Social Media to Educate Patients & Combat Misinformation

“Technology is constantly changing, and as rheumatologists we need to adapt,” he says. “If we don’t have a social media presence and aren’t engaging with patients online, our patients are exposed to a lot of misinformation.”

Partners in Healthcare

In her Dallas rheumatology practice, Kathryn Dao, MD, FACP, FACR, noticed that many of the same questions arose when she was talking with her patients. “I often get asked questions, such as what it means to get an RA diagnosis or to have abnormal labs,” Dr. Dao says. “It occurred to me that a lot of rheumatology patients probably have the same  questions, and I thought it would be great to have a platform to disseminate reputable information.”

Dr. Dao

Dr. Dao saw how engaged her teenage children were using TikTok, and she had read the statistics about Americans obtaining medical information from the video hosting service. She asked her children to show her how to use the platform and then launched her account, @Rheum101, where she now has over 15,400 followers. Dr. Dao also has a YouTube account.

By recording videos that explain medical terms and rheumatic conditions in lay terms, Dr. Dao hopes to empower patients to be active partners in their rheumatology care and to formulate questions to ask during their appointments.

“As doctors, we often have a limited amount of time to spend with patients during their appointments,” Dr. Dao says. “It’s not uncommon for patients to think of questions they should have asked after they’ve already left their appointment.”

Dr. Dao says it typically takes a half-hour of prep time before she films a TikTok video, followed by two or three takes to ensure she conveys all the pertinent information on the topic. She then edits the videos.

“I look at the camera and imagine I’m talking to a friend or patient who’s seated right in front of me,” Dr. Dao says. “I’ve even played the videos for patients if they have specific questions about a topic I’ve covered, such as TNF [tumor necrosis factor] inhibitors or managing fatigue, because my videos offer them a more thorough answer.”

Dr. Dao believes rheumatologists who have a social media presence inform and empower patients.

“By covering such topics as the seven essential questions patients should ask before starting a new medication or potential side effects of hydroxychloroquine, I think I give patients a better understanding of their condition and what the medications are intended to treat,” Dr. Dao says.