Social media: Physician's friend and foe

Websites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn have provided physicians and aspiring doctors with new ways to connect with others and find information — and more opportunities to get themselves into trouble. American Medical News has covered the evolution of social media and physicians' use of it since the infancy of these sites. Over time, doctors have become savvier about how to use social media for their benefit. But others, often inadvertently, find that their social media history can come back to haunt them.

Med school applicants might want to rethink that last tweet

A study finds that medical schools and residency programs are increasingly using an applicant's social media postings to consider whether to accept that person into their program. More than half of program administrators surveyed said applicants could hurt their chances of acceptance based on what is found under their name online. Read more

Doctors tell how they use social media as professional watercooler

The physicians' lounge has found a place online, with doctors using Twitter and Facebook to get tips on which journal articles or clinical research pieces are the most worthwhile, and to connect with colleagues around the world to talk shop. Read more

4 ways social media can improve your medical practice

Although physicians are catching on to the idea that social media can let them chat with colleagues and patients, other uses are less known. For example, physicians can monitor social media to find out what patients think of certain medications. Read more