The world of online networking for physicians just got a bit more crowded. Two new social media platforms designed specifically for doctors have recently launched, joining established networks that already serve millions of healthcare professionals across the United States and around the globe.

These new communities — one called Roon and another created by the popular social media personality known as Dr. Glaucomflecken — aim to give doctors fresh ways to connect, share knowledge, and find support. But with so many options already available, the question many healthcare workers are asking is simple: Do we really need another one?

What Are These New Platforms?

Roon was co-founded by neurosurgeon Dr. Rohan Ramakrishna, who told reporters that his team is focused on building “incredible infrastructure for doctors to have great conversations.” The platform counts former Pinterest executives on its founding team, which gives it a strong background in social media technology.

Meanwhile, ophthalmologist and social media star Dr. Will Flanary — better known online as Dr. Glaucomflecken — has launched a community called Humor & Humanity in Medicine. This platform costs $41 per month to join and is designed to be a safer, more private space for physicians to talk about the human side of their work.

These new sites join a field that already includes well-established platforms like Doximity, Sermo, and Figure 1, each of which has millions of users.

Why Doctors Need Their Own Social Spaces

For many years, physicians have used general social media platforms like Twitter (now X), Facebook, and LinkedIn to connect with colleagues. But these public spaces come with serious risks. Patient privacy can be accidentally violated. Misinformation spreads quickly. And online harassment or “trolling” is common.

Doctor-only networks aim to solve these problems by creating verified, professional environments where healthcare workers can speak freely without fear of breaching privacy rules or facing public backlash. This is especially important given that federal laws like HIPAA strictly regulate how patient information can be shared.

Experts in healthcare communication say that having a dedicated space for physicians is not just a convenience — it can be a necessity. When doctors can quickly ask a colleague about a tricky case or share a new research finding, patient care can improve. These networks also help reduce the isolation that many doctors feel, especially those working in rural or solo practices.

What Each Platform Offers

Each of these physician networks has a slightly different focus, which may help doctors choose the one that fits their needs best.

Roon: Clinical Conversations and Conference Insights

Roon is designed to help doctors connect around clinical questions, share insights from medical conferences, network with peers, and combat burnout. Dr. Ramakrishna envisions doctors using the platform to chat about everything from complex cases to book recommendations — much like they would over a cup of coffee.

The platform’s founders believe that even as artificial intelligence tools become part of daily medical practice, they cannot replace the value of human interpretation. “Medicine is changing on a daily basis, and so physician interpretation is always going to be needed,” Ramakrishna said.

Humor & Humanity in Medicine: A Focus on Well-Being

Dr. Glaucomflecken’s community takes a different approach. Instead of focusing on journal articles or research studies, it aims to be more like a “happy hour” where doctors can explore the human side of being a physician. The $41 monthly subscription fee is intended to keep out trolls and bad actors who might disrupt the community’s culture.

“It’s less about the recent journal article or studies,” Flanary explained. “It’s more about being able to explore the human side to being a physician.”

Doximity: The Giant in the Room

Doximity remains the largest physician-only network, with more than 3 million clinician members. During a recent earnings call, the company reported that over 720,000 clinicians used its workflow tools — including telehealth, scheduling, digital fax, and AI features — in just one quarter.

Dr. Amit Phull, chief clinical experience officer at Doximity, emphasized that any new tool must make doctors’ lives easier, not harder. “Joining a network should be a net positive,” he said. “It shouldn’t be yet another thing that they have to log into.”

Sermo: Research and Drug Ratings

Sermo counts more than 1 million healthcare professionals among its members. The platform offers features like Sermo Mobile, where doctors can connect with patients for free using a secure, privacy-protected line, and Drug Ratings, which lets physicians see peer perspectives on FDA-approved treatments.

Figure 1: Sharing Complex Cases

Figure 1 has more than 1.5 million verified healthcare professionals using its platform. Doctors share de-identified clinical cases, discuss diagnoses, and exchange management approaches across different specialties. According to Vincent Muehter, president of the parent company Formedics, activity on the platform “typically spikes higher around complex, rare, or clinically nuanced patient cases where peer perspective adds value.”

How These Networks Protect Patient Privacy

Patient privacy is a top concern for all of these networks. Leaders from each platform stressed that strict standards are in place to protect sensitive information. Figure 1, for example, uses “strict de-identification standards and moderation protocols to protect patient information before content is published,” Muehter said.

Misinformation is another challenge that all digital health platforms face. However, having a verified community of healthcare professionals can help address this threat. Because members are identifiable professionals engaging with peers, there is “a higher standard for discussion and self-correction,” Muehter noted.

Vikram Bhaskaran, co-founder and CEO of Roon, agreed that accountability is built into these networks. “If you behave badly, you have to behave badly in front of your colleagues and your peers,” he said. However, he also cautioned that “at some scale, you’re going to see bad actors.”

What This Means for Patients

While these platforms are designed for doctors, patients can benefit indirectly. When physicians have access to trusted networks where they can quickly consult with specialists or discuss challenging cases, the quality of care they provide can improve. A doctor in a small town who can post a de-identified case on Figure 1 and get feedback from experts around the world is better equipped to make accurate diagnoses.

Additionally, these networks can help reduce physician burnout, which has reached crisis levels in recent years. Burned-out doctors are more likely to make errors, leave medicine early, or provide lower-quality care. By giving physicians a space to connect, share struggles, and find support, these platforms may help keep doctors healthier — and that is good for patients too.

Challenges Ahead for New Platforms

Despite the enthusiasm behind the new networks, they face significant challenges. The biggest is simply getting enough doctors to join. A social network is only useful if enough people are active on it. Bhaskaran acknowledged this, saying, “We have to grow fast enough to be useful to every doctor.”

Roon also wants to ensure the platform doesn’t “only skew clinical” and lose the fun side of physician engagement. The team plans to expand beyond the specialties they started with and engage community-based physicians as well. “A nice challenge for us is to make it accessible,” Bhaskaran said.

For Dr. Glaucomflecken, the subscription model may be a barrier for some doctors, especially those who are already paying for multiple professional memberships. However, he believes the fee helps create a safer, more respectful environment.

Practical Takeaways for Physicians

If you are a healthcare professional wondering whether to join one of these networks, here are some points to consider:

• Identify your needs. Are you looking for clinical case discussions, research collaboration, or emotional support from peers? Different platforms emphasize different things.
• Consider the cost. Some platforms are free to join, while others charge subscription fees. Weigh the value against your budget.
• Think about time. Any network you join will require some time investment. Choose one that fits your schedule and doesn’t add to your workload.
• Check privacy policies. Make sure the platform has strong protections for both patient data and your own professional information.
• Start small. You don’t have to join every network. Pick one or two that seem most useful and see how they fit your needs.

The Bigger Picture: Why Physician Connection Matters

Dr. Glaucomflecken summed up the importance of these communities when he said, “I welcome as many communities out there as people need them. Physicians need to be able to connect with each other a little bit better than what we have been doing for the past 5 to 10 years.”

He also emphasized that these platforms are not in direct competition with each other. “Everyone is going to be looking for different things,” he said. “I don’t see it as a competition.”

As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve — with new technologies, increasing administrative burdens, and growing rates of burnout — the need for doctors to connect with one another has never been greater. Whether through a clinical case discussion on Figure 1, a drug rating on Sermo, a workflow tool on Doximity, a casual chat on Roon, or a supportive conversation in Dr. Glaucomflecken’s community, physicians now have more options than ever to find the peer support they need.

The key, experts say, is to choose the platform that fits your practice style and personal needs — and to remember that the ultimate goal is better care for patients and better lives for the people who provide it.

Source: MedPage Today