Social Networking: Why Every CIO Must Open the Gates

re: Social Networking: Why Every CIO Must Open the Gates

Juliana Lubwama — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:24:43 GMT

Great Post Ed

@Tammie-Power social networking tip. Most social networking sites have applications to download to a cell phone. This creates flexibility to access sites “on the go” and eliminates the desktop/laptop only access. In my case social networking has helped in my career enhancement/development. It has enabled me to connect and learn from individuals in various geographical areas. Without social media, opportunities like these would not have been as easily available. With the increased use of Yammer at THR it’s also been the best medium so far for me to learn what is going on in the organization. It’s a myth that only young or recent college graduates can keep up with technology. I believe any individual who wants to can.

Face to face interaction and phone conversations are very important and should not be phased out completely. However social media will have to be embraced preferably sooner than later as it’s the new trend in the future. Just like computers have evolved over time social media is only going to expand and get better.

re: Social Networking: Why Every CIO Must Open the Gates

Marie — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 20:19:14 GMT

I think the reason facebook is blocked in many hospitals is productivity, and the high risk it poses in allowing viruses to enter the system. With the move to EHR, how are you approaching the task of keeping personal medical information safe while at the same time allowing all of your employees to visit social networking sites? How would you advise doctors and nurses to create personal patient care (which we are graded on through websites like patientsfirstma.org) by using a computer? I am saddened by the amount of updating and texting that goes on, even when we are in the physical presence of people. What happened to actually speaking to people you care about? Why not just pick up the phone to wish your colleague a happy birthday, since he was using it anyway to respond to you?

re: Social Networking: Why Every CIO Must Open the Gates

David Wallace — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:07:54 GMT

Interesting discussion. SN is an enigma, many use it but only a few (like you) get it for it's transformative powers.%0d%0a%0d%0aThanks for sharing. I'm embarking on my on SN effort, not without tredpidation.%0d%0a%0d%0aBTW, we met at the Healthcare IT Summit in San Diego in November, had an excellent conversation.

re: Social Networking: Why Every CIO Must Open the Gates

David Stallman — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:50:41 GMT

Our greatest challenge has been to combat the volumes of misinformation that is out there. My team started a social networking page and with no advertising at all we had 300 friends in the first hour, 500 by the end of the day, and 3,000 from around the world by the end of the month. It was the only truly interactive medium we had to connect our clinicians with our target audience.

The anonymity of the interactions allowed patients to ask us questions and receive responses from qualified healthcare professionals where they would not have do so otherwise. The stigmatism of MS has kept it underground for centuries; this new medium has opened the door for persons afflicted with this disease to get the information they need without worrying about whether or not their employer or family will find out.

To paraphrase a political slogan from a relative of mine:

FREE THE IDEAS, FREE THE TECHNOLOGY, FREE THE PATIENTS!!

Open the gates to the castle and let the information flow.

Great Post Ed.

re: Social Networking: Why Every CIO Must Open the Gates

Ryan Squire — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:21:09 GMT

Edward,%0d%0aThanks for the thoughts on social media/social networking. It's good to hear where a health system CIO stands. We are in the process of debating and formulating the case for social media use throughout the organization. After reading your post "It's Not About You" I assume you are for as few restrictions on access for employees to social networking as possible. In your mind, is there an institution that has struck a good balance between setting guidelines and setting up an overburdening HQ?

re: Social Networking: Why Every CIO Must Open the Gates

Tammie Caruthers — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:10:02 GMT

It's hard to think of SN as career enhancement/development. But that might be the way we need to look at it. As you said, the newest members of the workforce are coming into the workplace with this knowledge and skill, so for those of us that are not fresh out of college, we need to catch up!

My greatest barrier is time. Maybe I'll blog about that and someone can give me tips on "power social networking"!

Thank you for being so willing to bring new ideas to us to help us grow as individuals and a company.

re: Social Networking: Why Every CIO Must Open the Gates

Ferdinand Velasco — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:28:45 GMT

Very timely discussion about a revolutionary phenomenon that is transforming our culture, just as Johannes Gutenberg's invention changed the world in the 15th century.

The resistance to SN is emblematic of "organizational immune systems" described by Michael Nielsen in his blog (http://michaelnielsen.org/blog/?p=629). As they grow and become more complex, successful organizations develop immune systems dedicated to preserve that structure. These systems serve organizations well in a period of healthy, gradual change. However, they are counter-productive during times of significant upheaval, causing even the most successful and established institutions to fail.