Oregon couple uses social media sketches to advocate for transparency in healthcare

Oregon couple Will and Kristin Flanary, known online as Dr. and Lady Glaucomflecken, use social media comedy to expose complexities in the U.S. healthcare system. According to an interview with “Think Out Loud” host Dave Miller, the couple uses humor to advocate for patients and providers while fighting medical misinformation.

How do the Glaucomfleckens use humor to change healthcare?

Will Flanary, an ophthalmologist, began creating TikTok videos during the COVID-19 pandemic. He previously practiced stand-up comedy in high school and described the videos as an outlet because there are “way too many things to make fun of in medicine,” he said.

Kristin Flanary manages the business side of the platform. She described humor as a “really effective Trojan horse for educating people” and a tool for advocacy and change, according to the interview with Dave Miller.

The couple’s approach grew from personal experience. Kristin supported Will through two cancer diagnoses and a sudden cardiac arrest he suffered in his sleep. They used humor as a coping mechanism and a way to highlight obstacles they faced while navigating the healthcare system.

Did You Know? Will Flanary’s transition to medical comedy began with a background in stand-up comedy during his high school years.

What healthcare issues do these social media sketches address?

The sketches focus on the frustrations of a complex system, such as mysterious bills and repeated calls to insurance companies. Will Flanary aims to equip viewers for their own struggles by tackling topics like insurance requirements and private equity in healthcare.

Will said that many issues exist “underneath the surface” that patients aren’t aware of. He stated that knowing what the problems are is necessary to create change in the healthcare system.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that using humor to address systemic issues like private equity allows complex, often dry administrative failures to become relatable. By framing these as shared frustrations, the couple transforms individual patient grievances into a broader conversation about systemic reform.

How are medical professionals being taught to use social media?

Beyond comedy, the couple creates educational resources for medical professionals. These resources teach providers how to use social media ethically to combat health and wellness misinformation, according to Kristin Flanary.

Trauma and Dissociation with Kristin Flanary (Lady Glaucomflecken)

Kristin said the public needs trustworthy people sharing evidence-based information. The couple’s goal is to help providers communicate effectively, even if those providers aren’t comfortable putting their faces on the internet.

Will added that while not everyone needs to be a public figure, wearing costumes can help in the process of sharing information.

What may happen next for health advocacy?

The couple’s focus on evidence-based communication could lead to more medical professionals sharing verified data within their own social networks. This shift may increase the amount of trustworthy information available to the public.

Increased awareness of private equity and insurance requirements may also lead to more patients questioning the “under the surface” mechanics of their care. A possible next step could involve more providers adopting the couple’s ethical social media guidelines to reach their local communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are Dr. and Lady Glaucomflecken?
They are Will and Kristin Flanary, an Oregon couple who create comedy sketches on social media about the U.S. healthcare system.

What specific healthcare topics do they cover?
They address insurance requirements, the impact of private equity in healthcare, and the frustrations of medical billing.

Do they provide resources for other doctors?
Yes, they create educational resources to teach medical professionals how to ethically use social media to share evidence-based information.

Do you think humor is an effective way to highlight problems in the healthcare system?