Health IT

@medtronicCEO not enough? Try some of healthcare’s best twitter accounts

Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) CEO Omar Ishrak launched a Twitter account a month ago, but hasn’t tweeted much. So who are the loquacious healthcare social media types that people may turn to for 140-character long pithy wisdom? Here’s a short, subjective list, partly gleaned from tweepz.com and just plain old reporting. I have chosen Twitter users who […]

Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) CEO Omar Ishrak launched a Twitter account a month ago, but hasn’t tweeted much.

So who are the loquacious healthcare social media types that people may turn to for 140-character long pithy wisdom?

Here’s a short, subjective list, partly gleaned from tweepz.com and just plain old reporting. I have chosen Twitter users who keep their tweets healthcare related, and not necessarily about the last bagel they ate, even if they don’t always have a large following.

I eschewed medtech types that are into platitudes such as, “Always remember that the future comes one day at a time.” (I am not really into positive energy nonsense.). Also, this list excludes rockstar tweeters like Lee Aase – everyone who is interested in healthcare social media and hasn’t been living under a rock is already following him (@LeeAase).

So in alphabetical order, here are a few notable tweeters:

Patrick Driscoll (@medmarket).

Twitter bio: “Analyst, medtech business writer, blogger, and publisher on new medtech. Contented father and husband. Purveyor of sarcastic commentary.” 1,817 followers

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Recent tweet: States ranked by percent obese highlights pervasive negative trend http://ow.ly/1dKGnd

Victor Montori, MD (@vmontori).

Twitter bio: “Mayo Clinic diabetes doc + researcher from Peru working for a patient revolution vs. healthcare corruption, and for treatments that fit patients.” 1,402 followers

Recent tweet: The patient voice – the need for a minimally disruptive medicine service: http://t.co/U6hjnL0

John M. Reid (@JMSReid)

Twitter bio: “Med Tech CEO – Urology. Assessing/Managing/Treating Prostatic Obstruction. Everett Rogers and John Gourville’s work., providing sound guidance along the journey.” 88 followers

Recent tweet: Being hospitalized not healthy esp in July effect: New interns ‘perfect storm’ for higher mortality rates: http://t.co/F3lfCns via @addthis

Wendy Sue Swanson MD (@SeattleMamaDoc)

Twitter bio: “Mother, pediatrician & blogger for Seattle Children’s Hospital. Using my friends in and out of the hospital to understand.” 4,455 followers

Recent tweet: “The absence of evidence does not mean that treatments don’t work. [It] points out the need for more information.”http://bit.ly/pArwu3

Chris Thierfelder (@Hamlet)

Twitter bio: “Over-scheduled med-tech innovator. Fatal weakness: still cookies.” 2,915 followers

Recent tweet: You may not like it, but this is some fearless innovation. I want a corner office. A 3-corner office. http://nyti.ms/n53I3k