American College of Physicians Weighs in on Social Media for Doctors

Dr. Laccheo says rheumatologists should engage online technologies, as they can help both clinically and operationally. While there can be pitfalls, he suggests that a common sense approach solves many potential roadblocks.

“There are many new and powerful technologies available to both professionals and consumers today, which can be used for many varied uses to improve both our personal and professional lives. The ACP seemed to have missed the diversity of uses of this technology, lumping them all into one category,” he writes in an e-mail interview, later adding, “I don’t think that there is going to be or should be one standard fit for every clinician, patient, and situation.”

Richard Quinn is a freelance writer in New Jersey.