GP Nadia makes videos on TikTok: ‘More and more people are looking for medical help online’

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When a patient told GP Nadia (36) that she could not read, the woman from Zoetermeer wondered whether she could share important medical information with her. That’s why Nadia came up with something new: she started making videos for TikTok, YouTube and Instagram to tell more about her profession.

Social media is full of medical advice and experiences, but what is true? Nadia wants reliable medical information to be found. “Medics abroad have been active on social media for a long time, but not yet in the Netherlands. That’s why I decided under the name The Family Doctor to start my own platform.”

Unrecognizable at first

The Family Doctor started with her first video about worms in the stool on Youtube. “At first I wanted to remain unrecognizable and my face was therefore not in the picture. I thought it was a bit exciting, but decided to open up and come into the picture with my face. In the beginning still in my white doctor’s coat, but now and then I also shoot videos in my normal clothes,” explains Nadia.

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The Family Doctor. Photo: in the neighborhood of Zoetermeer

Medical information is available on the website of the RIVM and on Thuisarts.nl, for example, to which patients are regularly referred by their GP. “I know that people are increasingly turning to social media for help. I think everyone deserves to get reliable information online. That’s why I started this.” For example, she made videos about sore throats, anemia, menstrual problems or how you can help your child with shortness of breath. On YouTube she posts longer videos on extended topics, and on Instagram and TikTok are inside views of the practice, facts, medical information and hilarious films about her life as a doctor.

Dancing doctor

Nadia, who comes from Zoetermeer, regularly pays attention to exercise and health. To set a good example herself, she can also be seen dancing in some videos. “I love dancing so I decided to share my passion in combination with my exercise advice as a doctor. Because exercise is not only physically good, it also makes you happier.”

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Long in the waiting room

Patients regularly wonder why they have to wait so long in the waiting room or why the consultation hours are running late. “After my working day I film myself in my consulting room and tell how many patients and with what conditions I have had a visit. This is how my followers see how full a GP’s agenda is and hopefully there is more understanding if you have to wait a little longer for your appointment. But I also sometimes want to express my annoyances or crazy moments in the form of crazy videos on my channels.”

Question time

The Family Doctor also provides enough interaction with her followers. For example, they can ask questions about medical matters through my social media channels and every time Nadia picks out a question that she addresses online. “People can only ask general questions about medical subjects: I cannot give personal advice,” explains Nadia. “I need a medical file for that, but the platform is not intended for that.”

Nadia now still does The Family Doctor on a voluntary basis in addition to her full-time job as a general practitioner. She now has more than 21,000 followers on TikTok. “I hope to be able to expand The Family Doctor with, for example, mini-lectures or online courses on bandaging or providing first aid.”

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