Twitter is the digital watercooler in Medicine

Posted by Michelle Lin, MD on

I just don’t have time to join Twitter. Are you serious, Twitter?

Being in the minority of medical providers who use Twitter for work, these are common responses I hear. I would make the counter argument that it has given me opportunities to learn, collaborate, and share on a much more efficient level.

The best argument that I can come up with is that it is the new digital, global watercooler in Medicine. The difference from your current watercooler area is that this area includes global thought-leaders and educators. Seriously, who wouldn’t want to eavesdrop on conversations and learn from leaders like Amal Mattu, Scott Weingart, and Mike Cadogan?

  • It’s where we hear of interesting new studies or controversial clinical tips.
  • It’s where we bounce ideas off each other so that we go off and learn more on our own.
  • It’s where we see practice variations worldwide.

Question to the collective

What has been your best argument for why one should join Twitter?

Here’s my recent “Digital Watercooler” article in Emergency Physicians Monthly. This will launch a new EP Monthly column capturing Twitter conversations, written by our very own Dr. Javier Benítez! Keep a lookout for it.

Author information

ALiEM Founder and CEO
Professor and Digital Innovation Lab Director
Department of Emergency Medicine
University of California, San Francisco

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