Social Networking 101 for Physicians

Take Advice From Online Doctors’ Forums With A Grain Of Salt

Physician-only discussion boards like Sermo have become a valuable replacement for the traditional “curbside consult” with colleagues about complex cases. But Harlow warns that free advice is “worth what you pay for it” and thus “should be taken with a grain of salt.” After all, relying on advice outside the standard of care could constitute malpractice.
Also, since all users post under pseudonyms, “you have to be confident that whoever’s replying [to your inquiry] is who they say they are,” says Pho. Palestrant reiterates Sermo’s extensive physician verification process, adding that when a user clicks on another member’s profile, he or she can see the member’s specialty, the history of his activity on the site, and his rating by fellow users. Nonetheless, Palestrant adds, physicians should of course solicit information from multiple sources, such as journals, peers, or non-physician colleagues such as nurses and physician’s assistants.

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