5 “Ask Me Anythings” on Reddit for the Healthcare Industry
- Doctors Without Borders (MSF)
- Rebecca Skloot
- Gray the Cancer Patient
- Andy Slavitt
- Pre-Med Interviewer
Finding the best Reddit AMAs for healthcare students and professionals can be a challenge. AMA stands for “Ask Me Anything.” It’s a popular style of question-and-answer post where responses range from serious, in-depth policy talks to silly memes. Reddit’s AMA sub-forum has years of posts from:
- politicians
- celebrities
- internet superstars
Here are five of the top AMAs related specifically to health care.
Ranking: Top 50 Best Online MBA in Healthcare Management Degree Programs
1. Doctors Without Borders (MSF)
Doctors Without Borders, also known as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), sent several recruiters to Reddit to host an AMA. They discussed what it’s like to work for MSF and how to get hired by the NGO. They also discussed what staff do on a day-to-day basis, explaining that most American volunteers focus on capacity building. This means nurses and doctors who head overseas spend a lot of time helping local medical professionals improve their practice abilities.
2. Rebecca Skloot
“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” was one of the most influential medical books of the last century. This deep dive into the life story of one woman sold millions of copies. It inspired a generation of medical professionals to think about how to communicate with patients. Ms. Lacks was a cervical cancer patient whose cells were harvested without her knowledge and used in thousands of clinical experiments. Author Rebecca Skloot discussed the writing process in an AMA on Reddit’s /r/books sub-reddit.
3. Gray the Cancer Patient
For a look at medicine from the patient’s perspective, this AMA can’t be beat. Sixteen-year-old Gray, who has battled brain cancer for 10 years, opens up about his experiences in the medical system. He talks about the techniques he used to stay positive throughout his ideal and promotes a non-profit, CoachArt, that connects mentors to chronically ill children. The AMA also has a few posts from alternative medicine promoters, so readers can judge their bad advice and learn about their thought processes.
4. Andy Slavitt
The implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) forever changed the face of American healthcare. Andy Slavitt helped run the insurance exchanges. He answers tough questions about:
- rising costs
- limited provider options
- the future of healthcare in the U.S.
Slavitt’s Reddit AMA offers financial tips for navigating the ACA and deep discussions of the long-term impacts of this monumental healthcare legislation. It’s a great way to learn the diversity of opinions on the ACA and the options available for patients struggling to afford health insurance.
5. Pre-Med Interviewer
Reddit is a great online resource for learning about the medical school admissions process. This Reddit AMA from a top 10 medical school is a wealth of information. The poster gives details on the interviewing process, including how to stand out and how to overcome a shaky undergraduate GPA.
Readers will also learn how candidates make a negative impression. The poster is no longer available but answered every question in great detail, making this a helpful resource for pre-med students at any stage in the application process. There’s also a long discussion of the benefits of post-bac medical school preparation programs and retaking the MCAT multiple times.
New posts are added every day. Reddit fans should constantly check the /r/IAMA sub-reddit to find the latest reddit AMAs for healthcare students and professionals.