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For years, physicians were warned to stay off social media. But while doctors stayed quiet, wellness influencers, questionable health advice, and medical misinformation exploded online. Was staying silent actually a mistake?

In this episode of Emergency Minute, Dr. John Parente sits down with emergency physician, national media contributor, health-tech executive, and content creator Dr. Owais Durrani to talk about why physicians need a stronger voice in today’s digital world.

Dr. Durrani shares how becoming one of the first confirmed COVID-19 cases in San Antonio unexpectedly launched him into national media, eventually leading to regular television appearances and a growing social media presence. John and Owais discuss the changing role of physicians online, combating medical misinformation, why follower count matters less than it used to, and how doctors can use social media to educate far more people than they ever could during a single clinical shift.

They also dive into AI in medicine—including what’s real, what’s overhyped, and why AI is much more likely to eliminate some of medicine’s most frustrating tasks than replace physicians anytime soon.

And medicine is only part of Owais’s story. He talks about creating a STEM television show for kids, interviewing NASA astronauts, exploring science and technology careers, and even flying with the Blue Angels—an experience that ended with him both passing out and throwing up…and still calling it one of the greatest experiences of his life.

It’s a wide-ranging conversation about medicine, media, technology, misinformation, curiosity, and what it means to be a physician in the digital age.

HOW TO FIND DR. OWAIS DURRANI:

You can find me on Instagram @acedurrani and LinkedIn (Owais Durrani), where I share accessible, fact-based medical and science content. And if anyone listening is working on contextual AI solutions in healthcare, whether that's ambient scribing, querying patient charts, or other tools, feel free to reach out.

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