A new conference is to be held in Paris in June to examine how doctors use social media and Web 2.0 tools to connect with patients, colleagues, pharmaceutical firms, payers and hospitals

Called Doctors 2.0 and You, the event will be held at the Cité Universitaire Internationale in Paris, 22-23 June.

The event is being organised by e-health specialist Basil Strategies. Doctors 2.0 and You will gather experts from across Europe, the U.S., and Israel, to examine physicians’ professional use of new and social media and its practical, societal and business impact on healthcare delivery.

While much enthusiasm has been demonstrated for social media and other Web 2.0 tools in healthcare in terms of the e-patient, less is known about how physicians actually use these tools, and the accompanying results, best practices, challenges and opportunities.

The Doctors 2.0 & You agenda will examine topics including appropriate social networking, physician acceptance and resistance to adopting new tools, and relevant business models, facilitating debate and information exchange via workshops, panels, interactive exhibits and social events.

The conference will gather physicians, physician and patient communities, online and mobile tool providers, hospitals, insurers, pharmaceutical companies and government entities.

"Healthcare is at a tipping point, as technology uptake increases and online tools gain relevance and momentum," said Denise Silber, president of Basil Strategies, and Doctors 2.0 and You organiser. "

“While there remains no single answer for how doctors do, or will use social media in their practices, it is clear that industry-wide advancement cannot take place without incorporating their perspective. Doctors 2.0 & You will elevate that perspective, and provide an interactive forum to discuss what is really happening with regards to new and existing communication tools, doctors’ expectations and future developments."