I did. For a day. I pretty quickly realised that I didn't want to know what he really thinks about his patients and his practice. Not that he named anyone, it was more an attitude I detected. I do know him well, so perhaps that was also a factor. His tweets made me feel uncomfortable.
Then, last week I 'twistened' in to the RCGP twitter feed from their panel discussion on GPs and their use of social media. Frankly, it made me feel ill. Some patients may be taken in by their GP's use of social media, but when the chips are down, what really counts is the face-to-face time with a caring medical professional.
I do follow other healthcare professionals on Twitter, in my capacity as social media networker for two small charities. One is a local cardiovascular support group, the other is a local older people's community centre. I follow the CCG, local GPs, specialists, hospitals, and associated support and community groups. The GPs will almost never interact, retweet or favourite, but they are always on hand to dispense politically correct health care messages.
I really do think that if GPs are on Twitter that it should be for the engaging and interacting, not for spouting those same old messages that the Government is paying for. It is boring. We know we must not smoke, drink or eat takeaways. We know we must eat five portions of fruit and veg a day, exercise regularly, check our breasts, have a smear test.
What we want to know is that when we really need to see a doctor, the receptionist will be helpful and sympathetic, the waiting room will be clean and inviting, and the doctor will be available, and will see you on time.
Now, if you could tweet that, I'd be happy to follow you. Until then, I'll communicate at our next appointment, whenever that might be.
I'd love to know your thoughts. Do you follow your GP on Twitter? Does your GP follow you bacK?