A New Way of Medical Education: TikTok
Medical education has always been critical for public safety, and even more so now with COVID-19. Medical knowledge has been delivered through different approaches over the last couple centuries. Initially, the only way to gain medical education was directly from the source itself: by speaking with medical professionals. As the means to reach the widespread public developed, medical education was delivered through advertisements in newspapers or billboards across the city. With each invention in technology, from broadcasting radio to television to the internet, the platform for medical education shifted. Now, the latest technological innovation once again shifted the platform. Social media has completely transformed the way that the public receives medical education. Specifically, the relatively new social media app, TikTok, has revolutionized medical education. It allows for creators in varying fields to share their knowledge, encourages creators to employ different visual tactics, and lets users interact with creators in a way that has never been done before.
TikTok allows for creators of all medical specialities to share information. For example, @balancedanesthesia is the account of Dr. Magnolia Printz. She is a verified creator and has posted videos of numerous medical topics. Ranging from tips for what to do before a surgery to mental health awareness videos, her content aims to educate her 774.2K followers. But she is far from the only anesthesiologist on the app, much less the only medical professional. Apart from Dr. Printz, there are surgeons, internal medicine doctors, nurses, dentists, dental hygienists, opthamologists, and psychologists all sharing their information with the public. You name a medical profession, and there is probably someone on TikTok sharing information in that profession. The medical professional community on TikTok is something that has never been seen on any other social media application. The reason why this is so important is because it allows the public to receive information over a wide range of topics. And, all their information comes from specialists in the field, giving it more credibility. In past platforms, it would've required much more time and manpower to spread the same messages that are easily being spread through TikTok.
Another aspect of TikTok that is revolutionary is the way that creators can employ different visual tactics. TikTok videos can contain images, text, videos, or even animations. Multiple aspects can be employed in just one video. The background of a video can be manipulated, and voice overs can be used to deliver information. Essentially, TikTok provides creators with a multitude of options to choose from. This aspect of the platform revolutionizes medical education because it means that different creators can appeal to different users with different visual tactics. Suppose two creators make the same video in terms of content. But one delivers the information through a short video format, while the other makes use of text and images. Users can choose who and how they want their information. Plus, complex ideas can be simplified with the use of things like animations or videos. Users are presented with a wide variety of visual information, so they can pick and choose how they want their information displayed and delivered.
The final aspect of TikTok is the novel way that users can interact with creators. Users can leave comments on the creator’s post, who can then read and respond to comments. The whole exchange is able to be read by other users. In addition, the creator can actually respond to comments with another video, which promotes users asking more questions. This cycle is something that many creators use, as it clears up doubts that many possess about a certain topic. TikTok is a novel, revolutionary social media application that changes the way medical information is being disseminated. It opens the floor to those in different specialities, allows creators more visual options, and creates a bond between the creator and the user. While there is some hesitation with TikTok, the benefits outweigh any hesitation. TikTok is an amazing app for those who want to know just a little bit more about the human body.
References:
https://www.tiktok.com/@balancedanesthesia?lang=en
https://www.elon.edu/u/academics/communications/journal/wp-content/uploads/sites/153/2020/12/01-Mendoza_ejfinal.pdf
https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2020/4/21/21228378/tiktok-doctors-nurses-viral-videos
https://neilpatel.com/blog/tiktok-marketing/
