• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Howard J. Luks, MD

Howard J. Luks, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon Sports Medicine Specialist

  • Topics
    • Joint Pain
    • Longevity
    • Metabolic Health
    • Sports Medicine
    • Training
    • Top Articles
      • Zone 2 Training
      • Shoulder Pain Lifting Arm
      • Knee Injury Serious?
      • Medial Meniscus Tears
      • Front Of Knee Pain
      • Shoulder Snaps & Pops
    • All Articles
  • Newsletter
  • Podcast
  • Book
  • About
  • Consultation
For Physicians

The Emergence of Key Opinion Leaders in Medicine and Social Media

Avatar photo

Howard J. Luks, MD Updated Sep 22, 2021 Read time: 2 mins

Featured image placeholder

Key Opinion Leaders In Medicine and Social Media

Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.
– Albert Einstein

True Thought Leaders in Medicine and Social Media

The discussion surrounding key opinion leaders, thought leaders and ‘influencers’ in medicine and healthcare deserves further attention.

Those who grasp(ed) the emerging realities in healthcare policy, HIT and rapidly emerging new media trends … and lead others to show them the way are the KOLs I follow.

  • they emerged “organically” on Twitter and their blogs: @kentbottles and @philbaumann are two who deserve mention
  • they have a clear grasp … or are honest when they don’t — of the rapidly changing environs we work in
  • Many of us are subject to violent opposition locally… yet experience international recognition for our efforts.

We were not created by an industry — we understand —or try very hard to understand the emerging reality tunnels 

We should not be elevated to being a thought leader by a manufacturer … t0 push agendas or products because we look the part or present well on stage.

We should not be elevated to this position because a marketing department head believes that’s who we should be.

We should not be an overnight creation or sensation at the whim of those who hold the reigns…

Social Media and Emergence of Key Opinion Leaders in Medicine

Key Opinion Leaders in Medicine and HealthcareSocial media created — and levels the playing field ( @doctor_v deserves attention for his thoughts in this area).

We are not brave or brilliant… we think and we ponder — and we speak up (or blog).  – I’m far too humble to think otherwise.

YOU decide who the key opinion leaders are and if our message resonates – and thus offers value.

Key opinion leaders in medicine and social media deserve recognition, a podium and a means to spread their message far and wide.

With the dramatic evolution of:

Do you have questions regarding an Orthopedic injury or longevity? 

Do you want to talk to an expert who can listen to you for 45-60 minutes and explain the options in detail? 

Dr. Howard Luks offers remote guidance sessions to review your X-ray or MRI images and explain your options. 

Dr. Luks has also received hundreds of requests for educational sessions on the topics discussed in his book, Longevity Simplified.

Schedule Remote Session

  • Medicine and Social Media
  • Mobile Health
  • Electronic Records
  • Shared Decision Making
  • Cost controls
  • Service line refinements
  • Captive practices and emerging employment models
  • Government Intervention and regulations

The need to look to relevant, engaging, and perhaps provocative KOLs and thoughts leaders in healthcare will rise dramatically as the landscape we knew molds and changes afoot like the sands I stood upon during my recent vacation.

Categories: For Physicians Tags: key opinion leaders, thought leaders

Disclaimer:  this information is for your education and should not be considered medical advice regarding diagnosis or treatment recommendations. Some links on this page may be affiliate links. Read the full disclaimer.
Dr. Howard J. Luks

Howard J. Luks, MD is a leading orthopedic surgeon & sports medicine specialist. An expert in shoulder, knee, and other sports injuries, and author of Longevity... Simplified.

About · Contact · Private Consultation

Remote Guidance Sessions
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Like what you're reading?

Join the thousands of followers who rely on Dr. Howard J. Luks, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine, with tools, tactics, and techniques for simplifying longevity.

Further Reading:

Patients Need To Feel Comfortable Asking Questions – Your Input Matters.
Content Management Strategies For Physicians and Healthcare
Physicians Should Be Part Of The Online Healthcare Discussions
healthcare social media medica website drivers
Healthcare and Social Media : Centrifugal versus Centripetal Drivers

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marie Ennis-O'Connor (@JBBC)

    Jan 3, 2014 at 6:37 pm

    Thank you for writing this! It is a topic that has been exercising my mind this week, particularly as I fielded criticism of a list of my key influencers which I posted on slideshare:

    http://www.slideshare.net/ennoconn/health-care-social-media-influencers

    The most vehement reactions came from those who stated that these lists are meaningless – but who defines meaning? Isn’t it as individual as we are? As you so rightly state “YOU decide who the key opinion leaders are and if our message resonates – and thus offers value.” After all, one person’s meaningless Twitter account is another’s Klout score (this was suggested to me as a more meaningful way to create this kind of list). Again for some this may be how you decide who is worth following on Twitter, but Klout scores are also an imperfect measure of influence. If I chose only to focus on Klout scores, then I would be missing out on some great Twitter accounts. In fact one of the most surprising things I found when creating my list was the low number of followers on some accounts . Some of the accounts I most respect for what they are doing to change the conversation in healthcare have a surprisingly low number of followers – proof once again that quality engagement should never be measured in numbers. By the same token, some of the better-known accounts have huge numbers of followers, but I wonder how many just follow these accounts because everyone else does – ergo they must be influential/meaningful/worth following. Creating this list made me question how meaningful they still are to me. Am I still learning from them? Are they still pushing the boundaries? It is good to review the lists of people you follow every now and again and ask these questions. You might be surprised at the answer you get. Still, we all have to start someplace, and usually we start with the wisdom of the crowd until we find our own individual tribe and our own meaningful level of engagement. I am also like you of the subversive belief that people can make up their own minds who to follow – a list is just a starting point to explore things further for yourself.

    • Avatar photoHoward J. Luks, MD

      Jan 4, 2014 at 5:08 am

      Thanks Marie.. and happy new year!
      Keep up your hard work. What many fail to realize is that we have been stuck in a giant echo chamber for many years now. The same folks talking about much the same issues. Many many more voices are necessary. Patients are heading online in large numbers. Health care providers are starting to get the message too… and they are showing up on twitter and require a little hand holding to get them started. Your lists, as with others give these newbies a good place to start!
      As with beauty … the true value of “meaning” is in the eye of the beholder/reader :-)
      Howard

Primary Sidebar

Dr. Howard J. Luks

Howard J. Luks, MD is a leading orthopedic surgeon & sports medicine specialist. An expert in shoulder, knee, and other sports injuries, and author of Longevity... Simplified.

About · Contact · Private Consultation

Remote Guidance Sessions
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Top Articles

The importance of VO2 Max

VO2 Max. It’s not just about your mitochondria

Walking is exercise

Walking IS Exercise: Why All Movement Matters

Zone 2 heart rate training

Zone 2 Heart Rate Training For Longevity and Performance

Do I have a serious knee injury

Is My Knee Injury Serious? 5 Signs to Look For.

Newsletter

Join the thousands of followers who rely on Dr. Howard J. Luks, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine, with tools, tactics, and techniques for simplifying longevity.

Read the Book

An easy-to-read guide that tosses out the myths and clears up the truth behind living longer. As you read this book, you will:

  • Understand the science behind the recommendations for living a longer and healthier life.
  • Understand that all our bodies’ systems are interconnected and rely on one another.
  • Connect the dots to poor metabolic health and take steps to reverse this path.
  • Recognize that fear doesn't need to be your reality.
  • Recognizing that most people view “exercise” as unpleasant work.
  • Stop going down “rabbit holes” of false information.
  • Realize you don't have to change as much as you think.
Find Out More
Read Reviews
Longevity... Simplified: Living A Longer, Healthier Life Shouldn’t Be Complicated

Available at:

Bookshop
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Trending Now

  1. Zone 2 heart rate training
    Featured
    Zone 2 Heart Rate Training For Longevity and Performance
  2. The importance of VO2 Max
    Featured
    VO2 Max. It's not just about your mitochondria
  3. Reframe why exercise is important. Not to lose, but to gin.
    Muscle and Strength
    We Exercise To Gain, Not To Lose.
  4. Seasoned Doctors Want to Leave Medicine.
    Sports Medicine
    Seasoned Doctors Want to Leave Medicine.

Howard J. Luks, MD

Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine

128 Ashford Avenue
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

(914)-559-1900
[email protected]
Book Private Consultation

Topics

  • Joint Pain
  • Longevity
  • Metabolic Health
  • Sports Medicine
  • Running
  • Training

Browse All Articles

Joint Pain

  • Ankle
  • Elbow
  • Hip
  • Knee
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Shoulder

More Orthopedic Education

  • Topics
  • Newsletter
  • Podcast
  • Book
  • About
  • Consultation

© 2025 · Howard J Luks, MD · Disclaimer & Terms · Privacy Policy
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This site should be used for informational purposes only.