Using Social Media To Promote Transparency And Collaboration

Military Health System Using social media to promote transparency and collaboration Michael E. Kilpatrick, MD Matt Bado

Military Health System: A system of systems A unique partnership of medical educators, medical researchers and healthcare providers • Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs • Military Medical Departments • Joint Staff Surgeon • Combatant Command Surgeons • TRICARE Providers

Who We Are • Serves 9.5 million uniformed service members, family members and retirees • Executes a $42 billion budget

Casualty Care & Humanitarian Assistance

Healthcare, Research, Education & Training

Healthy, Fit and Protected Force

Healthy and Resilient Individuals, Families and Communities

Video

Office of Strategic Communications Coordinates with other MHS communicators and partner agencies

MHS Strategic Communications Workgroup Framework

Our Communications Strategy • Educate audiences about the MHS • Inform audiences on what the MHS is doing • Personalize the MHS for its audiences

The internet has rivaled physicians as the leading source for health information Health Information Source… Nurse/Nurse Practitioner Pharmacist Television Newspapers/ Magazines Relatives/Friends/ Co-workers Doctor Internet

In 2 rep 009, P ort ed EW 61%

Social media, an outreach component, is used to engage stakeholders around health promotion Outreach Capabilities

Vital Signs e-Bulletin

Health.mil

MHS Profiles

Social Media Outreach

Outreach & Events

Video

Media GovDelivery Relations

MHS Social Media Tools

• • • • • • • • •

Monitoring Podcasts Social networking Social bookmarking Video sharing Blogger outreach MHS Blog and Twitter RSS Widgets

MHS social media enterprise goals Goal 1: Implement emerging media tools throughout the MHS to better inform and connect with stakeholders about military health (external)

Goal 2: Cultivate a culture of transparent, authentic communication throughout the ranks of the Military Health System (internal)

Social media integration

MHS on Facebook

Building relationships through Twitter… My Life With Autism

The MHS YouTube profile

Healthy Debates on health.mil

If a woman is sexually assaulted, the emergency contraception takes care of one issue, but what about the risk of STD's or psychological issues stemming from the assault. Without the intervention of a health care professional, many women will have partial care rather than the holistic care we have been advocating.

Dot Mil Docs podcast delivers news and information to stakeholders 4,671 Dot Mil Docs downloads during the month of July 2009

Over 44,000 downloads to date

The MHS Engagement Protocol is the foundation for all online interactions Outreach

Messagin Consultation g

Protocol Guidelines Outreach • Outreach will be conducted strategically when opportunities to advance the MHS mission are identified through the monitoring of discussion on blogs, message boards and social networking communities • Outreach communications should include a call to action • Staff conducting outreach will disclose their affiliation with MHS, making the source and intent of the messages transparent Social media outreach defined: Engaging with external stakeholders via email communication or posting of messages on public-facing communities (e.g., blogs, message boards, social networks)

Protocol Guidelines Messaging • Language will be crafted around pre-approved messages aligned to an overarching communications plan • Messages should always be respectful, on-topic and advance the MHS mission • Messages should be supported by MHS assets, such as videos, podcasts, news releases, reports and/or other collateral

Protocol Guidelines Consultation • MHS communications leadership must be consulted when sensitive issues arise that cannot be addressed by pre-approved messages • MHS public affairs staff will be consulted when online discussion may attract mainstream media interest • Input from Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will be solicited when topics require technical expertise beyond a general level of understanding • Online discussion pertaining to other MHS components such as Force Health Protection & Readiness or TRICARE will be shared with appropriate personnel

The Engagement Flow Chart complements the Protocol

Adopted from the US Air Force

Online Engagement in Action

Assess critical success factors before integrating social media tools • Strategy • People • Process • Resources • Relevant Content • Technology • Risks

Strategic Integration Outreach/Public Involvement

Internal/External Communications

Social Media Knowledge Management

Customer Service

Transparency

Risk vs. Reward

Liabilit y Securi ty Privac y

Trust Engagem entBrand

protectio Informati on

“Thank you for pushing this out to twitter. I didn't know that this service existed” DotMilDocs Listener

Contact Information Michael E. Kilpatrick, MD [email protected] 703-578-8510 Matt Bado [email protected] 703-824-7052