Communicating Science in a Pandemic: Part 1
Communicating scientific information as a health professional is far more than just posting healthcare tips online. What can & can’t be posted? Who do we really listen to?
DR JESSICA STOKES-PARISH CHATS WITH REGISTERED NURSES & SOCIAL MEDIA PERSONALITIES PENNY BLUNDEN (@sick.happens) & PARTICK MCMURRAY (@patmacrn) ABOUT THE BARRIERS FACING HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WHEN COMMUNICATING WITH THEIR AUDIENCES ONLINE.
Picking-up where Tim Caulfield’s “Great Rejection” misinformation podcast left off, Dr Stokes-Parish unpacks the challenge of communicating accurate information via social media as a health professional, specifically nurses. Penny Blunden and Patrick McMurray both have widely-followed social media accounts, used to provide healthcare insights to mass audiences.
Jessica states how in recent years, including during Covid, she saw a rise in scientific misinformation across social networks. Whilst there was a large number of doctors attempting to de-bunk medical myths, input from nurses seemed to be far less visible. Penny & Patrick provide some alternative perspectives of the relationship between science & social media.
Both Penny & Patrick outline how their individual experiences as health professionals led them to use social media to provide more accurate, helpful healthcare information. The group explore the role of nurses online and what kind of content resonates most with audiences. They also unpack how the outdated perception of nurses being second-rate healthcare providers left them without a strong voice for a long time. This is why online accounts like Penny’s & Patrick’s are so vital.
THE TRIO THEN DIVE INTO THE KEY BARRIERS WHICH THEY FACE AS ONLINE INFORMATION PROVIDERS.
Challenges ranging from imposter syndrome & judgement from colleagues to social media policies & regulations are all investigated. Patrick states that existing on social media in a “helpful and meaningful way” must remain top-of-mind.
Tune in to this unique take on science communication through social media with Jessica Stokes-Parish. Communicating Science in a Pandemic: Part 1.
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