Social media has influenced every walk of life. Everybody from a housewife to a high profile business executive relies on Google search to find the information they need. People depend on online sources for information related to healthcare check ups, and many medical websites and forums provide really useful information and guidance from expert physicians.
According to a study put together by Demi & Cooper Advertising and DC Interactive Group on how social media influencing healthcare reveals interesting information:
- More than 90% of people ages 18-24 said they would trust health related information on social media sites. In 2012, about 31% of adults searched for health information on their smartphone.
- Up to 44% of the patients who depend on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other social media forums for health related data say that they would share their experience in a medical establishment such as a hospital or a clinic, regardless of whether it is positive or negative. Forty-two percent said they wouldn’t hesitate to post comments about a physician, doctor, nurse or healthcare service provider on social media sites.
- More than 60% of doctors are of the view that the quality of healthcare can be improved through social media.
Doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers stand to gain a lot from social media when patients give positive feedback and good reviews. However, they must be very careful when posting or sharing health related information on social media sites. Sensitive healthcare information should be kept private and confidential in accordance with HIPAA laws.
It’s clear that hospitals and medical practices should harness the power of social and mobile to build relationships with their prospective and current patients. Leading outsourcing companies offer a full array of social media optimization services and mobile app services to help healthcare facilities build their online image and reputation.
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