{"id":5512,"date":"2026-05-06T22:04:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T22:04:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/?p=5512"},"modified":"2026-05-06T22:04:19","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T22:04:19","slug":"the-hospice-and-palliative-care-community-finds-a-new-digital-home-on-bluesky","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/?p=5512","title":{"rendered":"The Hospice and Palliative Care Community Finds a New Digital Home on Bluesky"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The digital landscape for professional communities, particularly within the specialized field of hospice and palliative medicine (HAPC), is in a state of flux. Following a period of widespread reliance on platforms like Twitter for professional discourse, networking, and information dissemination, many have begun to seek alternatives due to perceived declines in platform quality and user experience. Christian Sinclair, MD, FAAHPM, editor-in-chief of Pallimed, a prominent online resource for hospice and palliative care, has publicly advocated for the burgeoning platform Bluesky as a viable successor, highlighting its collegial atmosphere and robust features for fostering community engagement.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/homecares.net\/?p=5512\/#The_Shifting_Sands_of_Social_Media_for_Professionals\" >The Shifting Sands of Social Media for Professionals<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/homecares.net\/?p=5512\/#Bluesky_Emerges_as_a_Promising_Alternative\" >Bluesky Emerges as a Promising Alternative<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/homecares.net\/?p=5512\/#Key_Features_Driving_Bluesky_Adoption\" >Key Features Driving Bluesky Adoption<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/homecares.net\/?p=5512\/#Navigating_the_Transition_Resources_and_Community_Initiatives\" >Navigating the Transition: Resources and Community Initiatives<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/homecares.net\/?p=5512\/#Broader_Implications_and_the_Future_of_Online_Professional_Communities\" >Broader Implications and the Future of Online Professional Communities<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Shifting_Sands_of_Social_Media_for_Professionals\"><\/span>The Shifting Sands of Social Media for Professionals<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>For over a decade, platforms like Twitter served as an indispensable tool for professionals across various sectors. In the HAPC community, Twitter facilitated rapid sharing of research, clinical pearls, advocacy efforts, and the formation of supportive networks. Sinclair\u2019s own previous endorsement of Twitter for this purpose in February 2009 underscores its long-standing significance. However, recent years have seen a growing sentiment of dissatisfaction. The reasons cited are multifaceted, ranging from algorithmic changes that impact content visibility to concerns about the platform&#8217;s moderation policies and the overall user experience. This widespread disillusionment has prompted a significant migration of users and communities to alternative platforms. Sinclair&#8217;s personal decision to delete his Twitter account, a move he frames as a testament to the platform&#8217;s decline, serves as a bellwether for the broader trend.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bluesky_Emerges_as_a_Promising_Alternative\"><\/span>Bluesky Emerges as a Promising Alternative<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In response to the perceived shortcomings of established platforms, Bluesky has emerged as a notable contender, attracting a significant influx of users from the HAPC community and beyond. Described by Sinclair as &quot;fun, light, [and] collegial,&quot; Bluesky offers a refreshing environment for professional interaction. This sentiment is echoed by many who have migrated, reporting a sense of shared discovery and a welcoming atmosphere. The platform\u2019s design prioritizes user experience and community building, features that are particularly appealing to a professional group seeking focused and productive online engagement.<\/p>\n<p>Sinclair\u2019s own journey to Bluesky began approximately 18 months prior, facilitated by an invitation from Holly Yang. While the HAPC presence on the platform was initially a slow burn, a recent surge in both the quantity and quality of users has accelerated its growth. This expansion is not confined to HAPC; a broad spectrum of the medical community, alongside prominent figures from news, entertainment, academic journals, and medical societies, have also established a presence. This cross-disciplinary migration suggests that Bluesky is developing into a more general-purpose platform for professional and intellectual exchange, while retaining its capacity for specialized community building.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Features_Driving_Bluesky_Adoption\"><\/span>Key Features Driving Bluesky Adoption<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Several key features of Bluesky contribute to its appeal for professional communities:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Algorithmic Transparency and Control:<\/strong> Unlike platforms where algorithms can feel opaque and unpredictable, Bluesky aims to offer users more control over their content feeds. This allows for a more curated experience, ensuring that users see content most relevant to their interests and professional needs.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ad-Free Environment:<\/strong> At present, Bluesky operates without advertisements, a stark contrast to many commercial social media platforms that are heavily reliant on advertising revenue. This ad-free experience can lead to a less intrusive and more focused user experience, allowing for deeper engagement with content and discussions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Community-Driven Features:<\/strong> Bluesky supports the creation of &quot;starter packs,&quot; curated lists of accounts that users can subscribe to, making it easier to discover and follow key individuals and organizations within a specific field. Sinclair has actively contributed to this ecosystem by creating a &quot;Hospice and Palliative Care People starter pack&quot; featuring over 120 individuals dedicated to palliative care. Catherine Walshe, editor of Palliative Medicine, has also developed a valuable HAPC-focused starter pack, providing users with multiple avenues for building their network.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Focus on Text-Based Microblogging:<\/strong> While other platforms emphasize visual or video content, Bluesky\u2019s core functionality as a text-based microblogging platform aligns with the communication preferences of many professionals who value concise and informative exchanges. This differentiates it from platforms like TikTok and Instagram, which are primarily visual, and from Facebook, which many perceive as having lost its community focus.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The absence of aggressive advertising and the emphasis on user-curated content foster an environment that Sinclair likens to the early 2010s iteration of Twitter, a period often characterized by strong community bonds and organic growth.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"article-inline-figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEijRieS2ebp6ym5cHUEkJnlY2zwgoyDiM0AnexW4x4bRdaJ1C2lSwSeEyTX9D0oC6tpNVuithLUgypqHZ_663YbJDHd8BJ7P9BWKEvNqXEWgaO4MiKPNgODQUy4D-7M_NWvtMnzGiEmg6Rw30BDzyK8GZCuXJGTXxsRBQfnyETMXjj27a8Gmbjo0g\/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu\/bafkreiffwbceyz723v6nukqtasixpdokahcm35su3fgs6vtlh6niog2pby.jpg\" alt=\"Twitter is Dead. Long live Bluesky!\" class=\"article-inline-img\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Navigating_the_Transition_Resources_and_Community_Initiatives\"><\/span>Navigating the Transition: Resources and Community Initiatives<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Recognizing the need for guidance during this transition, Sinclair has developed a comprehensive &quot;How to Bluesky&quot; guide, which is publicly available and pinned to his Bluesky profile. This resource aims to demystify the platform\u2019s functionalities and facilitate a smoother onboarding process for new users. The existence of community-created starter packs further exemplifies the platform&#8217;s collaborative spirit, enabling users to quickly connect with established networks and influential voices within their respective fields.<\/p>\n<p>The organized migration of the HAPC community to Bluesky is further bolstered by the revival of professional online discussions. Sinclair has announced plans to host weekly #hapc chats (also known as #hpm chats or formerly Tweetchats) every Wednesday evening at 6 pm PT \/ 9 pm ET. This initiative aims to recreate the valuable synchronous discussions that were a hallmark of professional engagement on other platforms. These chats are intended to foster real-time dialogue, knowledge sharing, and networking opportunities for HAPC professionals.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, Sinclair has committed to using Bluesky as a primary channel for updates regarding the Annual Assembly #HAPC25 in Denver next year, signaling a strategic shift in how professional events and information will be disseminated within the community. This centralized approach on Bluesky is expected to enhance accessibility and engagement for attendees and interested parties.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Broader_Implications_and_the_Future_of_Online_Professional_Communities\"><\/span>Broader Implications and the Future of Online Professional Communities<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The migration of the HAPC community to Bluesky, and the concurrent decline in satisfaction with platforms like Twitter, has broader implications for how professional groups organize and communicate online. The experience highlights a growing demand for digital spaces that prioritize user control, community well-being, and meaningful interaction over commercial interests and algorithmic manipulation.<\/p>\n<p>The success of Bluesky in attracting a dedicated professional user base suggests a potential blueprint for future social media platforms seeking to cater to specialized communities. By focusing on features that foster genuine connection, facilitate knowledge sharing, and provide a safe and productive environment, platforms can cultivate loyal user bases that are less susceptible to the churn and dissatisfaction often associated with mainstream social media.<\/p>\n<p>The hospice and palliative care field, with its inherent focus on empathy, support, and shared human experience, is particularly well-suited to a platform that cultivates a collegial and supportive atmosphere. The move to Bluesky represents not just a technological shift, but a strategic choice to align with a digital environment that better reflects the values and needs of its practitioners and advocates. As Sinclair notes, this transition may also serve as an impetus for renewed engagement with resources like Pallimed, potentially revitalizing interest in established platforms that serve as vital hubs for specialized knowledge and discourse. The ongoing evolution of Bluesky and the community&#8217;s engagement with it will be a key indicator of the future trajectory of professional online communities.<\/p>\n<!-- RatingBintangAjaib -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The digital landscape for professional communities, particularly within the specialized field of hospice and palliative medicine (HAPC), is in a state of flux. Following a period of widespread reliance on platforms like Twitter for professional discourse, networking, and information dissemination, many have begun to seek alternatives due to perceived declines in platform quality and user &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5511,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[98,20,94,67,160,93,38,66,325,92,105,91],"newstopic":[],"class_list":["post-5512","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-palliative-hospice-care","tag-bluesky","tag-care","tag-comfort-care","tag-community","tag-digital","tag-end-of-life","tag-finds","tag-home","tag-hospice","tag-hospice-care","tag-palliative","tag-palliative-care"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5512","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5512"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5512\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5511"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5512"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5512"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5512"},{"taxonomy":"newstopic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fnewstopic&post=5512"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}