Devices & Diagnostics, Health IT, Patient Engagement, Pharma

5 healthcare tweet chats you should have on your agenda

In healthcare, we’re flocking to social media to talk about, interestingly enough, how to use […]

In healthcare, we’re flocking to social media to talk about, interestingly enough, how to use social media.

That’s what I gathered from researching some of the most popular health and medical-related tweet chats — regular gatherings of Twitter subscribers who have their mobile devices, tablets or laptops handy at a certain time each week/month to engage in live discussion with others using a certain hashtag of interest.

All of the hastags used in the chats below are also used for continuous conversations and link sharing even when the chats aren’t going on. So check one out and let us know what you think. Or share some of your other favorite healthcare tweet chats in the comments.

#hcsm — Sunday, 9 p.m. ET

Healthcare Communications & Social Media

Moderator: Dana M. Lewis via @HealthSocMed

Established in 2009, #hcsm has grown into a spirited Sunday night back-and-forth about how social media can enhance and empower the patient experience. Recent topics have addressed disseminating public health information through social media, using social media to motivate employees to achieve wellness, and how pharmacists should be using various social platforms.

A lineup of special guests and moderators that have included @LeeAase and @ChristineKraft has lent some clout to this popular hashtag over the years, to the point that it’s spawned a new generation of geo-chats across the world, including #hcsmEU and #hcsmSV.

 

#MDChat — Tuesday 9 p.m. ET

Moderator: Phil Baumann via @MD_Chat

Giving physicians opportunities to find each other, crowdsource and just learn how the Twitterverse works is the goal of this chat. It launched in 2010 and has found plenty of ways to keep the chat interesting, including hosting special sessions and guests. Last year, it partnered with the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University and the Alzheimer’s Association to host a fireside chat with two younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease patients.

#HITsm — Friday, noon ET

Health Information Technology Social Media

Moderator: Chad Johnson via @HealthStandards

This chat one has the potential to generate some important discussions. In January 2011, leaders in health IT began gathering weekly to discuss trends, regulations and social media guidance.

One particularly interesting recent chat posed the question: What happens to ACOs if the ACA is struck down? Chatters responded with everything from, “It seems like the industry is moving towards a value based model regardless of ACA,” (@NateOsit) to, “If all of ACA rule is struck down, ACO regulation loses its source of authority, and could become null and void” (@motorcycle_guy).

#meddevice — Wednesday, 4 p.m. ET

Moderator: Joe Hage via @MedicalMarcom

Bringing on interesting and influential analysts, executives and consultants to start conversations about everything from FDA regulatory crackdowns to ACOs to preparing for FDA audits is the name of the game in this chat. It’s hosted by the leader of the 107,000 members-strong Medical Devices Group on LinkedIn.

#SocPharm — first Wednesday of each month, 8 p.m. ET

Biopharmaceutical Marketing and Social Media

Moderator: Eileen O’Brien via @eileenobrien

This one’s all about exploring how pharmaceutical companies are using and could use various forms of social media platforms from Facebook to Pinterest to Instagram to YouTube. Guest moderators have included representatives from Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, Roche, Purdue Pharma and, most recently, the director of video communication at Johnson & Johnson.

[Photo from flickr user jerine]

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