10 Things: Who I’m Following on Twitter

I often harp on how much I value Twitter as a tool for both education and social commentary, so I figured I would share my list of 10 organizations and individuals forensic healthcare professionals should consider following. Remember, this is just my list–I would love to hear who else you think is a good follow for our profession. My goal, of course is to move more forensic healthcare professionals into the Twittersphere. I like to think of this list as a great foundation for building your own Twitter stream.

What follows is the organization or individual’s name, their Twitter handle,  their profile listed on Twitter (in italics), and of course, my commentary:

1. VAWnet (@VAWnet): VAWnet’s goal is to use electronic communication technology to enhance efforts to prevent violence against women and intervene more effectively when it occurs. I really value their special collections and applied research articles. This keeps me up to date with what’s new and what else they think is new and noteworthy in the field of violence against women.
2. CDC Injury Center (@CDCInjury): Our mission is to prevent injuries and violence and reduce their consequences so that every American can live his or her life to its fullest potential. Good for updates on trainings, publications, and new projects.
3. WHO violence news (@WHOviolencenews): The World Health Organization’s Twitter channel on violence prevention.  The global version of #2. Because sometimes it’s easy to forget North America isn’t the center of the universe.
4. Sarah Kliff (@sarahkliff): Health policy reporter at @washingtonpost & Wonkblog. Formerly of @politico & @newsweek. Canadian, Seattleite,@wustl alum. RTs not endorsements. I cannot help myself–I love health policy, and much of what she tweets has relevance to our work either directly or indirectly. She’s young, she’s smart and she also links to many of the articles and blog posts by her other talented colleagues.
5. National Sexual Violence Resource Center (@NSVRC): The National Sexual Violence Resource Center provides information about sexual violence through collaboration, prevention & resources. The things I value so much are NSVRC’s stream of articles addressing current issues from around the country, their blog posts, and their excellent ability to livetweet events (see also @preventconnect who I heart).
6. IAFN (@iafn): IAFN is the Voice of Forensic Nursing. No surprise here–this is a good way to stay on top of the big things happening at IAFN and it keeps me connected to what my colleagues are doing around the world by pointing me to locally published articles and events.
7. AEquitasResource (@AEquitasResourc): AEquitas’ mission is to improve the quality of justice in sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, stalking and human trafficking cases. Also no surprise–my colleagues at AEQ do a great job of publicizing stories from around the globe on issues important to our mission. And while the focus is legal, there are frequently healthcare-related tweets, as well.
8. Disruptive Women in Healthcare (@disruptivewomen): A blog that aims to serve as a platform for provocative ideas, thoughts, and solutions in the health sphere. This is one of my favorite sites, but it is not focused on violence, so be forewarned. It is, however, a site that publishes some great pieces on the issues impacting the health and well-being of women, many of which rear their heads in our patient populations (including body image, access to care, etc.). Plus, how great is the name?
9. TEDxWomen (@TEDxWomen): TEDxWomen features leading-edge innovators and powerful ideas from women and girls — and a few men too. This is a fantastic source for women’s leadership and cutting-edge ideas. Links to articles, interviews and TED talks. Great stuff.
10. Forensic Healthcare Online (@ForensicHealth): Yeah, you should follow me, too. Really–I try to retweet the interesting stuff I find out there, plus keep people updated on what’s happening on the site. And when possible, I will livetweet events (such as the upcoming Scientific Assembly in Puerto Rico).

(Want more? Consider following your state coalition(s): I follow a bunch, including @PCARORG, @MCASAorg, @wcsap, and @orsatf; look to other national technical assistance providers and educators, including @EVAWintl, @WithoutViolence, @mencanstoprape, @Polaris_Project and @NCADV; and diverse national sources for healthcare information: @KHNews, @AHRQIX and @TEDMED. Then see who they’re following, and add the ones that appeal.)