Dr. Bibi van Montfrans shed light on the increasing importance of social media and artificial intelligence (AI) in dermatology. In her session, she highlighted how close collaboration can and should be between dermatologists and patient care professionals in these areas. Social media begins metaphorically as an ocean in which patients often float without direction. Dermatologists play the role of captains, sailing alongside patients on a ship to develop and filter information.
Dr. van Montfrans emphasizes the need for collaboration between dermatologists and patients when dealing with social media. Key expectations on both sides include respect and openness from physicians, while patients are encouraged to share sources transparently and be aware of the reliability of information. Treating social media as a tool, not an enemy, is crucial to ensure the correct dissemination of information.
For dermatologists who are new to social media, Dr. van Montfrans offers a few suggestions. Van Montfran's concrete tips: It's important to verify sources to ensure the authenticity and credibility of the information. Signs of trustworthy content include peer review and references to specialist certifications. She also emphasizes the importance of identifying potential conflicts of interest. To promote these skills, the EADV is planning a special social media course next year.