Social Media Residency

Others offer social media “bootcamps,” but the Mayo Clinic Center for Social Media uses a medical metaphor to more accurately convey the nature of our most intense social media training program.

Just as medical residency is more advanced than medical school, Social Media Residency offers more than social media basics. Still, it is accessible for motivated beginners who want to accelerate learning.

To meet the broad spectrum of needs we’ve designed curriculum that includes pre-requisites and a quick self-study preparation program to help novices gain initial experience. We also provide resources for social media residents to connect and learn from each other before, during, and after the on-campus program.

We maintain a resident/faculty ratio of no greater than 8:1 to facilitate and ensure interactive learning. We use experienced mentors (a.k.a. Chief Residents) drawn from our staff and External Advisory Board or Internal Advisory Group members.

Our first priority: creating a dynamic learning experience. To this end, our Residency offers a mix of didactic, small group and hands-on pedagogy – learning tools by using tools. Some online training takes place in “safe spaces” where beginners can feel free to experiment, but we also require participation in public hands-on activities using online social platforms to develop comfort and confidence.

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• apply Social Media (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Blogging) best practices utilized at Mayo Clinic at their organization;
• select which social media tools are most appropriate for their organization;
• identify components of an appropriate social media strategy;
• explain how social media tools can help improve their organization;
• recognize ways social media can help improve patient and employee communications;.
• analyze ways social media can improve patient and provider education; and
• demonstrate how to shoot videos with a pocket camcorder and other video cameras and equipment.

See this post for 2013 Social Media Residency dates and locations.

If you have questions, or for information on joining the Social Media Health Network for discounted registration, contact the Center for Social Media at 507-538-0492 or by email.