Online Filesharing for Doctors
In my review of Dropbox, I suggested it could be used to share files, such as PDFs of your published articles. However, there are better methods for simple file sharing, particularly if collaboration is not so important.
Online file sharing sites offer this service. You can think of them as Flickr for files - a free and simple way to post files without your own website. Files can be public, or require a password. Lifehacker recently posted the results of a reader survey of the Best Online File Sharing Services, which is a great place to start.
Medical professionals increasingly rely on evidence, which can be shared digitally. These services are not good for secure information, but there are many files that need to be accessed openly. There are many medical reasons to share files, including:
- Posting reprints of your own articles (like mine, on Drop.io)
- Patient education notes for your common procedures
- Post your favourite reference articles
- Share your practice protocols
- Share request forms
Give your patients the option of downloading a digital file rather than having a printed copy. I know I would prefer a digital copy of notes.
Some doctors have scientific articles (published by someone else) that they use regularly to support their practice. Rather than giving another doctor or patient the name of the article and authors, give them a link to the PDF.
If you are a specialist, you may want to share guidelines for referrals or other general information with your reference base. Or pathologists may want to share request guidelines. Rather than sending them updated information regularly, then give them a URL so that they can download the information if and when they want to make a referral.
Paper request forms litter our desks. If you have a request form for an uncommon service, such as open access endoscopy through your rooms, then post it on a file-sharing service with a password, and referring doctors could print a copy when they need it.
How would you use online file-sharing to enhance your practice? Leave your suggestions in the comments.
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