Healthcare social media is a definite trend, but one blogger sees it as a responsibility.
Kansas City, MO -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/07/2011 -- This week we stumbled upon a blog post that’s title caught our eye: “Social media can improve healthcare, but are doctors holding us back?” After asserting that social media is an extension of the exam room, Software Advice’s marketing director, Houston Neal goes on to say that it is also a physician’s obligation.
“Doctors have an opportunity – and an obligation – to join us in sharing information online,” Neal declares. “To reduce the amount of flawed information online, doctors need to share reliable resources, address misleading claims, and most of all, help patients understand the issues accurately.”
Here at (e)Merge, we are healthcare social media advocates, and we encourage doctors and institutions to become online resources for their patients and communities- but the word “obligation” seems a bit, well… dreadful. No one wants to read something that someone was obligated to write or share. Conversely, no doctor or practice manager wants to tweet obligatory messages.
We see social media not as an obligation, but as a great opportunity (connect with patients, boost referrals, become an informational resource). As a physician, you have the opportunity to “share reliable sources, address misleading claims and help patients understand issues more accurately” online. Your only obligation is to make sure your patients understand that which pertains to their specific health, and give the best advice you can pertaining to their personal health during your interactions with those patients, whether in office or online. Though the internet is a huge resource to patients as they become their own advocates, the best information comes from a relationship with a physician who can evaluate you in the exam room.
(e)Merge is a medical practice growth consulting firm specializing in providing innovative, patient-centric marketing initiatives and medical mystery shopping services that enhance patient experiences to increase referrals. For more information, call 816-326-8464 or visit http://www.emergewithus.com.