Digital health: How technology and social media is changing our practise

“Digital Health: How technology and social media is changing our practise”By Dr Kartik Modha

Dr Kartik Modha MRCGP MBBS (Hons) BSc (Hons)

• Graduated from Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’ School of Medicine in 2005 (intercalated Physiology BSc)

• Specialist rotations (FY1-ST2): King’s College Hospital London, Medway Maritime Kent, Royal Free Hospital London.

• ST3 at James Wigg Practice, Camden PCT, London. MRCGP + CCT in 2010.• NHS Sessional GP, Locum GP, OOH (triage/PCC/visiting), UCC and industry

media.• Portfolio GP and ‘Digital Health Entrepreneur’ • Founder and Chair of Tiko’s GP Group – 1700+ GP members• Chairman and CEO at myHealthSpecialist.com

The Internet: Enough collateral connections to be self sustaining.

Context and Perspective.

GPs practice in isolation - this is our connection with the world wide web

GP burnout is not new…

We can feel isolated within a mammoth healthcare system

Social Media is a tool

To break down physical barriers to communication

We now live in a fast paced, digitally connected world

‘Social Media’ Options

A smartphone improves your online connectivity

Facebook(30million+ UK users)

Twitter(10million+ UK users)

Linkedin(10million+ UK users)

“Listen to many, speak to a few.” - William Shakespeare

• Professional GP network based in Facebook’s social media platform

• Inspired by Steven Johnson You Tube video “Where good ideas come from” --> “chance favours the connected mind”

• Started by me researching how doctors use online networks for myHealthSpecialist

• Organic growth • Started in June 2011 with 20 GPs, now 1700+ GP members• Focus on sharing information and holding professional networking

events• Aim to stimulate and support health innovation

TGG Core Team (Anatomical right to left)Finalists for “Innovators of the Year” General Practice Awards 2012:Malcolm Davies, Me, Tabassum Ahmed, Tom Nolan, Hamed Khan, Amit Vasistha

More professional conversations = Increased clinical connectivity

Member Comments

“We can discuss cases, present photos etc much more easily and without fear than we could otherwise. Its even easier than face to face convo's- as you literally type at the start of a consultation and get a reply at the end”-Dr HK

“Discussions about difficult scenarios are solved quite easily with multiple brain input”-Dr PJ

Member Comments

“It's been really helpful in my ST3 year so far. Our VTS sessions are good as a 'safe' place to ask stupid questions, but they only happen every other week. This is a faster and v useful addition/alternative.”-Dr NC

Member Comments

Social Media Guidelines

“The standards expected of doctors do not change because they are communicating through social media rather than face to face or through other traditional media. However, using social media creates new circumstances in which the established principles apply.”

Social Media Guidelines

Privacy:

Social Media sites cannot guarantee confidentiality Patients, employers, colleagues may be able to access your

personal information Photos may have location info embedded in them Once published online, a post may be impossible to remove

Social Media Guidelines

Benefits:

Engaging people in public health and policy discussions Establishing national and international networks Facilitating patients’ access to information about health and

services

Social Media Guidelines

Risks:

Doctor-Patient relationship blurred. Need to maintain a professional boundary.

Maintain patient confidentiality at all times. “The sum of published information online could be enough to identify a patient or someone close to them”

Respect colleagues at all times. Defamation laws apply.

Social Media Guidelines

Anonymity / Declarations:

If identifying yourself as a doctor you should use your real name but not something you must do. Posts by doctors reflects on the whole profession.

Anonymous posts can be traced back to their origin Declare any conflicts of interest or commercial interests

That said… please use it!

1865 ‘Red Flag ‘Act

3-minute social media break!

Share a post about this talk/conference and include #PulseLive #digitalhealth

All tweets to @DrKartikModha will get retweeted!

Building your own website (or app)

my experience with myHealthSpecialist.com

- Created by GPs for GPs and patients- Peer recommended private specialist network- Free for GPs and patients- Funded by recommended specialist subscriptions- Allows GPs to share recommendations for specialists within a

practice / group, borough and nationally- Allows patients to search for private specialists based on GP

recommendations- Aim to improve patient care and save GPs time in

consultations

GPs & patients need better info

”The OFT considers that there is a shortage of accessible, standardised and comparable information provided to patients, GPs and PMI providers in relation to the quality of PH facilities and of consultants”

“The OFT patient interviews and the OFT GP survey both indicate that patients place a great amount of trust in their GPs' opinions and recommendations”

Report on the market study and final decision to make a market investigation reference (April 2012)

Tips for getting started

1. Have a clear idea of what the problem is2. Limit the scope for your minimally viable product (MVP)3. Perform a stakeholder analysis4. Test your business case with a survey5. Check for any legal obstacles6. Draw designs on paper first. Check with your

stakeholders that it meets their requirements.7. Produce a specification document.8. Get a quote from a reputable development company9. Understand the financial and time commitment/risk

10. Have a clear initial route to market11. Raise money (Budget for twice the time and cost!)12. Begin development. Keep your scope limited.13. Rigorous testing (IE6 is a nightmare)14. Beta test with trusted people /places. Listen to their

feedback and adjust where necessary.15. Launch to live using your organic online networks 16. Learn about SEO. Backlinks + Video = Good17. Be patient and willing to learn and adjust as you go along.18. Be supportive of each other.

Tips for getting started

Great introduction to website usability. Need to also consider increasing mobile internet use.

Questions / Discussion

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”

- Helen Keller