Doctors Use Social Media To Make Virtual House Calls
Few remember that doctors used to make house calls back in the 1940s and 1950s. But, the spirit of that service is still alive and well thanks to social media –– some doctors are embracing the online world and using it to connect to patients.
As expectant mom Kristi Francisco nears her due date, time with her obstretrician, Dr. Jeff Livingston, is at a premium. But, the Grapevine mother knows a way she can ask him a question anytime, anywhere.
“If my grocery store and my favorite restaurant is on Facebook, then my doctor should be as well,” Francisco said.
Dr. Livingston agrees. He’s one of only a few north Texas doctors who has embraced the social media world.
“If we want to make a connection, we need to talk to them in the way that they want to talk to us,” said Dr. Livingston.
In between delivering babies and seeing patients, Dr. Livingston hops onto the MacArthur OB/GYN Facebook and Twitter pages to answer questions posted by patients. One, for instance, asked how soon one can find out a baby’s gender. Another poster wanted to know if you can eat fish while pregnant.
