Dr. Apiwat (Oat) Jengcharoen—aka Dr. Over Time—talks to us about how he has taken medical advice to another level through Facebook and Youtube, where he’s nearing one milion views.

BK: How did you become a doctor?
Since high school, my parents wanted me to be doctor. At first I wasn’t interested because I wanted to be an architect or an engineer, but after thinking about it, I came around, knowing that I would be able to help people.

BK: What made you start posting on YouTube and Facebook?
In my daily life, my friends were always asking me health-related questions. It makes sense since I’m a doctor. However, it does get repetitive because a lot of people ask the same questions. Also, while there are several health programs on television, I felt that they’re too stiff and technical, so people get bored and don’t really understand what they are talking about. Because of that, I started posting on YouTube and Facebook, so that anyone with health issues would be able to know what to do.

BK: Has anyone ever doubted you are a real doctor?
When I first started my YouTube channel, a lot of people were making comments about whether or not I was really a doctor.

BK: Did you expect to go viral?
Not at all. I didn’t advertise it. I never could expected there would be so many people interested.

BK: Have you ever been hit on by a patient?
To be honest, yes. There was a patient who asked me out to dinner before, but I didn’t agree.

BK: If you were not a doctor, what would you be doing?
I love cafes, especially with bakeries, so I would open my own place.

BK: What are the most common questions you get asked?
People today are much more concerned about their health. The most common are about supplements like vitamins and glutathione.

BK: Are you worried that other doctors will think you make them look bad?
I was at first, but I was always carefully check my scripts to make sure I don’t say anything to upset anyone. I will never make the medical industry look bad. Every doctor I know supports what I’m doing.

BK: Are the patients different on Facebook and YouTube?
Yes. Patients on YouTube tend to be more playful. Sometimes they would watch the video just for fun and leave comments. On Facebook, it’s different. Patients usually visit the page for specific answers. My Facebook fan page is more like a little online medical community.

BK: What’s your plan for the future?
I’ve written a couple of pocket books but I got a little bored. However, my mood for making another is back. I want to write one just about life –nothing to do with health.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/droattyfanclub

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