Social Media
TikTok is truly the next WebMd. Not only do people want information within seconds, but they want it in an entertaining format. As a health care provider, even if you don’t love social media, you need to be aware of it and the impact it has on patients. Nearly half (45%) of Gen Z and millennials surveyed said they value the medical advice of friends and family over that of doctors and 38% reported that they trust social media over a real physician. In another study, about one-third of GenZers consult TikTok and another 44% look to YouTube before turning to their doctor. Yikes!
I grew up in the age of MySpace and Facebook just taking off. I can still remember how cool I thought AOL instant messenger was on my computer during college. When I was an intern, texting on my flip phone was just becoming a thing and if you remember, fumbly and frustrating. Social media never appealed to me like so many of my colleagues and friends. In fact, to this day, my husband runs our personal Facebook page. I have always been that odd one out—where social media didn’t really enhance my life, so I never fully embraced it. It felt more like a “To do” list item than a relaxing time. Now look at me!
While I don’t consider myself a true hypocrite, I do acknowledge the irony. Now I have accounts on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook. Why the change? Well, after deciding to start the podcast, developing social media became a complement around it. And now, yes, I enjoy it. I’ve always loved to entertain and create, and it’s served as a conduit to explore those interests. Ironically, it’s also a team building activity for my staff. My accounts have become a group effort and at the end of a crazy or stressful day, it’s rewarding to see my staff come together and decompress while creating a TikTok or a reel. Moreover, while it’s my name on the handles, I love that it’s really an “our” project and having everyone involved motivates me to do more and to do my best. Honestly, I don’t think I would push so hard without my team around me, providing feedback and cheering and supporting my ideas.
For me, social media is a work tool, to educate the public on all things skin and provide accurate information out there. While interviewing for “Derm on the Streets,” I had an interviewee tell me that they tried chicken poop on their face. Stunned? Yes. Grossed out? Yes. Surprised…No. This example, along with others like Gen Zers telling people tanning beds are safe and relaxing, motivates me to get out there and tell a different story. But I don’t dispute that social media has its pitfalls and contributed to the mental health crisis in our country, especially with young people.
Not joining social media until my 40s has had its advantages. As an adult, I can brush off the negativity and accept when a post doesn’t perform. I don’t value myself based on extrinsic validation alone. I celebrate our successes, but recognize the joy is often fleeting and not defining. It’s not to say I don’t experience the human side of it either. Being on social media is one of the most vulnerable things I’ve ever done. No one wants criticism. We all desire to be included and to feel as if we belong. Social media can be cruel and unforgiving, but as I remind my staff, so can the people right in front of you. Regardless of the source, we need to learn to not internalize negativity and move our energy where we can be the most productive. I stay focused on my goals, grounded in my intent and fed on my intrinsic satisfaction of striving for the best and enjoying the minutes of the journey to get there.
Trotter’s Take: Social media might not be for everyone, but as dermatologists, we need an effective, prominent voice out there to combat the noise.
If you like this article, then subscribe to my podcast episode with Dr. Dustin Portela as we debunk social media trends in skincare.
