Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- turn to (something) / tɜrn tu / (phrasal v.) – to start using or relying on something for help or support
Example:Many people are turning to online shopping because it is more convenient.
- referral / rɪˈfɜr əl / (n.) – the act of directing someone to a different person or service for information, help, or action
Example:After the doctor examined me, he gave me a referral to a specialist for further treatment.
- bridge a gap / brɪdʒ ə gæp / (idiom) – to connect or bring together two different things, ideas, or groups that have differences or difficulties
Example:The new app helps bridge the gap between students and teachers, making it easier to communicate and share resources during online classes.
- code of conduct / koʊd ʌv ˈkɒn dʌkt / (n.) – a set of rules that shows how people should behave in a certain place or situation
Example:The school has a code of conduct that all students must follow to ensure a respectful and safe environment.
- abide by (something) / əˈbaɪd baɪ / (phrasal v.) – to follow a rule, law, or decision
Example:By abiding by the traffic rules, drivers can prevent accidents on the road.
Article
Read the text below.
As it gets harder to locate specialist clinics with available slots, Australian doctors are turning to social media to help book appointments for their patients. Thousands of doctors have joined Facebook referral groups created to link healthcare providers and secure appointment times.
In 2020, while she was on maternity leave, Adelaide General Practitioner Caitlin Sum launched a social media page directed at doctors only. What was a hobby for Sum has now become the main resource for doctors looking for appointments with specialists.
The “Adelaide GP Referral Network,” as the Facebook page is called, counts more than 2,000 South Australian doctors. And it’s all about saving time. As a lot of specialists have stopped taking new patients, using social media to find one instead of doing endless internet searches or asking around makes a lot of sense.
“I think it bridges that gap and allows us to communicate with each other better and get to know each other and communicate directly,” says General Practitioner Alex Main.
“We would all love to spend less time doing admin, and more time seeing our patients,” says Dr. Sum.
In the state of Victoria, 800 members have joined a similar social media page.
According to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, there’s more and more pressure on general practitioners (GPs). The costs they face are increasing and waiting times for patients are growing. In this context, social media has become crucial for doing things like booking a specialist.
“GPs in the medical profession are hyper-connected, and social media and those discussion spaces, just like everyone, is a really important resource that we use to connect,” says Royal Australian College of GPs president Dr. Nicole Higgins.
These social media groups can only be joined by registered doctors. In order not to breach the Medical Board’s code of conduct, members can’t upload clinical photographs and patients can’t be identified. Sum says that because of the clear value of the service offered by the page, doctors have been abiding by the rules.
This article was provided by The Associated Press.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
- Do you think using social media for professional purposes, like connecting doctors, is a good idea? Why or why not? What do you think are some potential risks of professionals relying on social media for work-related tasks? Discuss.
- Have you or someone you know ever struggled to find a doctor or specialist? How would you describe the healthcare system in your country, specifically in terms of the availability and accessibility of medical specialists (ex. it’s easy to find specialists, it’s difficult to communicate with doctors)? Discuss.
Discussion B
- Would you trust a professional group on social media to help you with important decisions such as medical issues? Why or why not? In your opinion, how can online spaces build trust among their members? Discuss.
- Do you think it’s possible to maintain privacy and professionalism in online groups like the one mentioned in the article? Why or why not? What rules do you think are most important for professional groups on social media to follow? Discuss.