<\/span><\/h3>\nIn response to the perceived shortcomings of established platforms, a new contender has captured the attention of the HAPC community: Bluesky. Launched in 2023, Bluesky is a decentralized, text-based social media platform developed by Bluesky Social PBC, a company founded by Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter. Initially an invite-only platform, Bluesky has gradually opened its doors, attracting a diverse range of users, including a significant influx from the medical and HAPC spheres.<\/p>\n
Dr. Sinclair describes Bluesky as a \u201cfun, light, collegial\u201d environment, drawing parallels to the early days of Twitter when community bonding and genuine interaction were paramount. He notes that the platform has been experiencing a significant surge in both the quantity and quality of users, particularly within the HAPC community and the broader medical field. This influx includes not only individual practitioners but also established medical journals, professional societies, and even prominent figures from other sectors, such as newsmakers and entertainers, who are also seeking a more focused and less commercially driven online experience.<\/p>\n
The appeal of Bluesky, according to proponents, lies in several key features. The absence of advertisements, at least in its current iteration, contributes to a cleaner user experience. The platform\u2019s design prioritizes text-based communication, appealing to users who may not be inclined to create visual or video content, a growing trend on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Furthermore, Bluesky has implemented tools designed to enhance user safety and protect against harassment, a critical consideration for professionals engaging in sensitive discussions. The platform\u2019s algorithm, while still evolving, is perceived by many as more transparent and less prone to the "broken" mechanics that have frustrated users of other social media sites.<\/p>\n<\/span>Building Community and Facilitating Knowledge Exchange<\/span><\/h3>\nThe rapid growth of the HAPC community on Bluesky has led to the development of user-generated resources aimed at onboarding new members and facilitating connections. Dr. Sinclair has created a comprehensive guide titled "How to Bluesky," which offers practical advice for navigating the platform and finding relevant content. This guide is prominently featured on his Bluesky profile and serves as a valuable starting point for those unfamiliar with the platform.<\/p>\n
A particularly innovative feature gaining traction are "starter packs." These curated lists of user accounts allow individuals to quickly follow a pre-selected group of professionals and organizations within a specific field. Dr. Sinclair has developed a "Hospice and Palliative Care People starter pack" featuring over 120 individuals dedicated to palliative care. Similarly, Catherine Walshe, editor of the journal Palliative Medicine<\/em>, has created her own HAPC-focused starter pack. These initiatives underscore the community’s proactive approach to fostering a supportive and informative online environment, ensuring that newcomers can readily access valuable insights and connect with key figures in the field. The availability of multiple starter packs allows users to tailor their experience and discover a wider range of perspectives within the HAPC landscape.<\/p>\n<\/span>The Future of Online Discourse for HAPC Professionals<\/span><\/h3>\nThe migration to Bluesky is not merely a change of platform; it represents a conscious effort by the HAPC community to cultivate an online space that aligns with its values of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and mutual support. The establishment of regular online discussions, such as the planned #hapc chat (also referred to as #hpm chat or formerly #tweetchat) hosted by Dr. Sinclair on Wednesday nights at 6 p.m. PT \/ 9 p.m. ET, further solidifies this commitment. These scheduled events provide a dedicated forum for real-time engagement, question-and-answer sessions, and the exploration of critical issues facing the profession.<\/p>\n
The platform will also serve as a key communication channel for important professional events. Dr. Sinclair has indicated that updates and discussions regarding the Annual Assembly #HAPC25 in Denver next year will be prominently featured on his Bluesky profile, making it a central hub for information and networking related to this significant gathering.<\/p>\n
The broader implications of this digital migration are significant. As established social media platforms continue to evolve, often prioritizing commercial interests over user experience, the emergence of platforms like Bluesky offers a potential paradigm shift. For specialized professional communities like hospice and palliative care, the ability to curate their online environment and foster genuine connections is paramount to their continued growth and impact. The success of Bluesky in attracting and retaining these communities could serve as a model for other professional groups seeking to navigate the ever-changing digital landscape and reclaim spaces for meaningful discourse and collaboration. The move also suggests a growing user desire for platforms that are not solely driven by advertising revenue and the relentless pursuit of engagement metrics, but rather by the fundamental human need for connection and shared purpose.<\/p>\n
The journey from Twitter to Bluesky for the HAPC community is a testament to their adaptability and their unwavering commitment to advancing the field of end-of-life care. As this new digital chapter unfolds, it offers a compelling opportunity for professionals to reconnect, share knowledge, and collectively shape the future of hospice and palliative medicine in a supportive and engaging online environment. The potential for this new digital home to invigorate the profession, foster new collaborations, and ultimately benefit patients and families receiving palliative care is a promising prospect for the years to come.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The landscape of online professional communities is in constant flux, a dynamic environment shaped by technological evolution and user experience. For the hospice and palliative care (HAPC) community, a significant migration is underway, with many professionals departing from the once-dominant platform, Twitter, and seeking refuge and connection on the burgeoning text-based microblogging platform, Bluesky. This …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5931,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[98,20,94,67,160,847,93,38,66,325,92,157,105,91,1358,521],"newstopic":[],"class_list":["post-5932","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-discourse","tag-end-of-life","tag-finds","tag-home","tag-hospice","tag-hospice-care","tag-online","tag-palliative","tag-palliative-care","tag-sands","tag-shifting"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5932","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=5932"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5932\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5931"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5932"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5932"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5932"},{"taxonomy":"newstopic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homecares.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fnewstopic&post=5932"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}