Proximity Social Networking Help Physician-Patient

Reztya - Health practitioners are now more and more are using the internet, especially social networking to strengthen their professional networks. Through the means of that, they can empower patients with the latest information and in-depth.

According to a survey conducted by Edelman Indonesia in collaboration with the Public Health Unit of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Gadjah Mada (FKUGM), energy health practitioners, particularly doctors, 70 percent used professional societies, such as mailing lists, 70 percent use Facebook, and 53 percent use youtube.

The respondents consisted of 421 healthcare practitioners in 4 major cities of Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung and Medan, 44 percent of whom are specialists and 56 percent were general practitioners. Respondents who had been practicing for more than 3 years.

Vice Chairman and Head of Consulting Edelman Chriswanto Indonesia Bambang said that social networking closer to the patient's physician.

"Communication between doctor and patient can be more effective, especially for things that are general health," he said at the launch Edelman Healthcare Professionals Survey 2013 in Jakarta, Tuesday (19/03/2013).

The reason doctors are using social networking, said Bambang, is to share knowledge and information with colleagues and the public health. In addition, to expand professional networks.

Physician and researcher from the Public Health Unit FKUGM Blue Lutfan said doctors including a fairly new profession utilizing the Internet as a means of communicating. However, this needs to be done, given the use of the Internet in society is now very widespread.

"Before consulting a doctor, the trend now is to look on the internet first. With doctors who are active in social media, it would be mutually beneficial," said Lutfan.