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It takes patience and hard work to become a go-to expert, but it can be rewarding to have a platform for discussing health issues
Imagine the ability to share new medical evidence or lifestyle I advice with thousands or even millions of readers, listeners or viewers? That's what lured Dr. Mike Evans, a.k.a. the "YouTube Doctor" and a staff physician at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, to social media. His videos educate viewers on everything from concussions to exercise in fun ways with simple take-home messages, and his channel gets 400,000 views a month. (Dr. Evans is also the "house doctor" for the CBC Radio program Fresh Air.)
Recognizing that "the biggest care networks are peer to peer," Dr. Evans said he loves getting the chance to share health advice in a way that can become viral (in the good way) between friends.
Indeed, with social media, blogs and an insatiable 24-hour news machine, it's an exciting time to be a media doctor and it's easier than ever to participate in mass-messaging.
But interviews, articles and TV or radio appearances take up a lot of time and pay little. They can also require a lot of flexibility. Vancouver's Dr. Susan Biali, whose media credits include articles and interviews in Self, PsychologyToday.com, Martha Stewart Living and the Washington Post, was once given 24 hours' notice to fly to New York for a Today Show appearance.
And while doctors may be OK with long hours and weekend interviews, what can be harder to accept is the loss of control. It's the journalist who asks the...