Tonight, the #HCSM (Healthcare Communications and Social Media) conversation on Twitter revolved around the use of social media (SM) and search engine optimization (SEO). When I speak with physicians, I find that so many of them really don't understand SM or SEO. That's probably why many of them still continue to practice medicine without a professional website for their practice. What they fail to recognize is that more consumers are looking for health care providers on the Internet. Therefore, if you don't have a strong online presence, you may be losing potential patients to other providers in your area.
Here are my social media tips for physicians:
- Blogs can be used to attract new patients to your practice.
- Social media can be used to help you develop relationships with surrounding providers.
- Search engine optimization (SEO) is critical to your practice website.
- Patients are looking for providers on the Internet, so you must have a strong online presence.
- Many sophisticated patients are drawn to health care providers who are current on the use of digital social media.
Thinking about using social media? Start a blog, create a fan page on Facebook, and use Twitter.
