TikTokLast week, we announced the launch of a feed dedicated to STEM, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, across Europe. The feed is designed to enhance discovery on TikTok and connect a dynamic community of creators and audiences passionate about the sciences. With this in mind, our creator spotlight for this week focuses on NHS Doctor creator @drmishmash.
@drmishmash aka Ahmed, uses his TikTok account to unpacking medical terms, shares important symptoms to be aware of and the differences between related health conditions.
This week @drmishmash has also been involved in TikTok's measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) initiative. An in app destination for authoritative content about the MMR vaccine where he educates the TikTok community about the importance of vaccinations.
Alongside his educational health content Ahmed also shares snippets of his life as a doctor. Whether it's daily vlogs, a look at how surgeons balance work and Ramadan, or some incredible events he's been able to attend.
Earlier this week, we sat down with @drmishmash to chat all things STEM feed, his career in the NHS, and why he began using TikTok to share his medical knowledge.
This month, the STEM feed will be rolling out across Europe, why do you think STEM subjects are thriving on TikToK?
As someone who has designed and founded undergraduate medical education initiatives, I believe there is massive desire especially in 13-25 year olds to innovate in their approach to self-learning by accessing visually appealing subject areas. The notion that teaching should be didactic is long gone. Rather, teens know what knowledge they need to acquire and what their interests are, and TikTok delivers that in seconds. These subjects may have been boring and unengaging within the tradtional walls of a classroom, but the fact that younger audiences are active on TikTok means such a demand is inevitable. There is also a real opportunity via easily accessible STEM subjects on TikTok to narrow the gap in inequalities in education, and onboard a more demographically and socioeconomically diverse generation of users via STEM on TikTok. I am excited!
As an NHS doctor, why did you decide to start sharing health content on TikTok?
My decision to join TikTok started 18 months ago, but really my focus on health began only 12 months ago. I have a desire, to make health subjects easily accessible and comprehensible, so that health information is not seen as a barrier but rather as empowering to help the public take control of day to day decisions to improve their general health, be it physical or mental. As an academic surgeon, my goal is to be a force for good to the largest audience possible. I have been fortunate to do so in several viral posts on childhood infections, sudden infant death syndrome, breast and testicular cancer. As a result, I receive constant messages from viewers sharing constructive health actions taken as a result of these posts. It is the best feeling in the world!
What other educational creators do you follow on TikTok?
I am a big fan of Dr Karan Raj (@dr.karanr) who demonstrates it is possible to combine humour, and engagement around health subjects which ultimately improve people's health. My friend Doc Merton (@docmerton) has also been a great example of professional and clear educational health content.
What is your goal on TikTok?
I really see my role on TikTok as a responsibility to give the public confidence to question decisions around their health through evidence based guidance which is up to date and following national standards. This gives the public informed decision making and really a chance to feel in control, so rather than "google" something and stress, they are able to find a trusted and easily explained source to their everyday health questions. I also hope to improve the public's understanding of medications, and keep them in the loop on the latest health news which may immediately affect them, an example being "the measles outbreak".
I hope to widen access for 13-25 year olds wanting to pursue science-based careers by shifting to create educational content for this target audience, which really aligns with my existing roles in delivering simulated experiences for this age group in some of my other roles.
Finally, and perhaps more importantly, I hope to work collaboratively in performing regular "relevant" health campaigns and national physical and live roadshows using my TikTok platform to reach the widest audience and listen back to users' views. I hope to serve as one of many colleagues who create content which is accountable and professional to the standard required of us as NHS doctors.
What is your favourite TikTok you have made to date and why?
Oh this must be my post around Strep A infections in Children in the Winter of 2023. This gained 4.4M views and 180k likes and, as a result, I received so many messages to thank me for helping parents identify this early and get appropriate treatment. This was my eureka moment when I thought aha, if I get my content right then this really is a force for good for so many people and myself in keeping myself constantly engaged with learning and updating my own health knowledge.
Finally, what else is on your For You feed?!
Hmm well I have a mix, I am a father to a newborn and a toddler, so I have a keen interest for light hearted content around parenting experiences. I also seem to get a lot of news from my feed which has been fantastic and of course lots of medical content given, it is what I do all the time.
New to TikTok and want to explore how our community is embracing STEM? Getting involved couldn’t be easier, simply download the app for free via the Apple App Store, Google Play or Amazon.
