You’ve picked up a few dance moves from the platform. You might have even completed the challenges. There’s no denying, Tiktok is here to stay in a big way.
Tiktok has everything for the young and the young at heart. From ASMR videos to viral challenges to dances, Tiktok has it all. The platform’s three minute-long videos with music and “duets” (a feature that lets users respond to videos with their own videos, and post them side by side) offer a fun way to present medical knowledge, previously associated with dry accounts shared in a sanitised, surgical environment.
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The trend originated in the US but has since spread to Asia as well. Asian doctors have started sharing their medical knowledge via their Tiktok accounts. Dr Lim Ing Kien is one such doctor. He owns Medii Skin Studio in Malaysia. He says: “As a doctor, my main goal is not only to treat patients, but to educate as well. Tiktok has seen a steady growth in its user base over the past two years in Asia. Many of its users are in their teens or early 20s. It only made sense to use Tiktok to reach out to these youth.”
Another dermatologist who has gotten on the platform is Dr Teo Wan Lin of TWL Specialist Skin & Laser Clinic. She started her mini skincare and haircare masterclasses via Tiktok in 2021. They featured snippets from her full length classes.
The game is simple and straightforward. Dr Teo found it a good tool for short video creation and says of her snippets on Tiktok: “Essentially, it’s bite- sized information that’s relevant and engaging.”
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Dr Lim adds: “The medical community used to bombard people with tough medical terms and, more often than not, this causes a disassociation between them. So currently, I use simple terms to describe complicated conditions.”
There are still pitfalls when you take Tiktok’s advice. Both doctors stressed the importance to seek second opinions and make informed decisions with real medical professionals. Dr Lim advises: “If you’re unsure of the ‘advice’ you received, do consult an actual medical expert instead of an ‘expert’ online.”
Dr Teo has the final word on seeking health information online: “You can check your doctor’s board certification. It’s a fun platform for sharing, but honestly though, Tiktok must not be taken too seriously.”
Source: Her World