Scroll, Skip, Trust? Social Media Literacy for Dermatology Clinicians

Social media is shaping dermatology—whether we like it or not. Patients are influenced by trends, creators, and “skin advice” before they ever walk into clinic, and many are asking questions online that they didn’t feel comfortable raising face-to-face. Scroll, Skip, Trust? is a practical, clinician-focused workshop designed to help you understand what’s happening online, respond safely and confidently in clinic, and (if you choose) build a professional presence without losing your time, boundaries, or peace of mind.

Who it’s for

Healthcare professionals working in dermatology (and clinicians in patient-facing roles) who want to:

• Better manage consultations influenced by online misinformation

• Understand why patients trust non-clinical creators—and how to rebuild trust

• Start posting professionally, or improve what they already do

• Stay safe and credible online, including handling trolling and reputational risk

This workshop is valuable also for clinicians who “don’t use social media” or feel it’s irrelevant—because your patients almost certainly do.

What you’ll learn

· Navigate the modern consultation: Understand how social platforms shape patient beliefs, and learn simple, non-judgemental ways to ask what patients have seen online.

· Spot misinformation confidently: Recognise common red flags and why “citations” don’t always equal reliable evidence—without sounding dismissive.

· Post ethically and safely: Explore authority bias, professional standards, and the realities of sponsorship/endorsements before sharing content.

· Create content without burnout: Practical strategies for consistency, time management, and keeping firm boundaries between work and personal life.

· Handle trolling and risk: Scenario-based guidance on when to reply, delete, block, or step back—and how to protect yourself from escalation.

What will change after the workshop

You should feel more confident to raise social media proactively in consultations, understand what drives patient beliefs online, and respond with a structured approach that protects rapport, safety, and credibility.

About Dr Amy Perkins

Dr Amy Perkins is a Specialty Doctor in Dermatology at NHS Forth Valley (Stirling) and an Honorary Clinical Lecturer at the University of Glasgow. She has a strong interest in public health and the impact of social media on dermatology, particularly how online narratives influence patient behaviour, trust, and decision-making.

Amy’s work also includes involvement with OpenAI’s clinician community, contributing to health-focused evaluation work (HealthBench), and she is a passionate advocate for public health initiatives—especially UV safety and sunbed regulation, highlighting that the vast majority of skin cancers are preventable through effective photoprotection.

Scroll, Skip, Trust? isn’t about turning every clinician into an influencer. It’s about giving you the insight, tools, and confidence to navigate a world where the consultation starts long before the patient arrives—and to use social media safely, ethically, and effectively when it supports better care.