We’ve been meeting together here for a few years. I’ve
shared a few thoughts with you and though most of you don't want to talk about it here, you do tell me through phone calls, in-person, email and direct messages on social media. So, want to know what your peers are talking about? I thought you might. So, here
are the Top 10 Things Your Peers Say to Me About Social Media
(whew, that title):
1 1. I’m not sure how to say what needs to be said.
Sure you are. You say it every day. Start there: the blinking cursor is simply a patient who has asked you an important question about her care. Patients like doctors with good bedside manner.
Sure you are. You say it every day. Start there: the blinking cursor is simply a patient who has asked you an important question about her care. Patients like doctors with good bedside manner.
2 2.
It’s too hard to keep up but I need to appear
timely.
Well then, use social media to follow sources that you trust. Simply share or retweet their posts. You’ll appear helpful and connected. Patients like connected health care providers.
Well then, use social media to follow sources that you trust. Simply share or retweet their posts. You’ll appear helpful and connected. Patients like connected health care providers.
3 3. Just sharing data makes me sound robotic but I
can’t share patient information.
Ah, the HIPAA excuse. You’re right. But you can provide insight on common problems through your personal story. Patients like other humans.
Ah, the HIPAA excuse. You’re right. But you can provide insight on common problems through your personal story. Patients like other humans.
4 4.
There’s so much misinformation. I don’t want to
be part of that crowd.
Good for you but by not being there you’re part of the problem. Use social media to dispel common myths patients may have about treatment options by sharing truths. Patients like a trusted source. And to them, that’s always been you.
Good for you but by not being there you’re part of the problem. Use social media to dispel common myths patients may have about treatment options by sharing truths. Patients like a trusted source. And to them, that’s always been you.
5 5.
I just want to practice medicine.
You can and your impact can be far reaching. Use social media to help patients cope with their conditions by providing tips for managing common problems. There you go, practicing medicine. No paperwork to complete.
You can and your impact can be far reaching. Use social media to help patients cope with their conditions by providing tips for managing common problems. There you go, practicing medicine. No paperwork to complete.
6 6.
I want to be part of the community.
Then create one. You have built in neighbors. Use the “groups” feature in Facebook to build a wall around your neighborhood. Or, run it open allowing your patients to invite their friends and family to participate. Patients like to connect their friends to someone who knows and cares about them and people like them.
Then create one. You have built in neighbors. Use the “groups” feature in Facebook to build a wall around your neighborhood. Or, run it open allowing your patients to invite their friends and family to participate. Patients like to connect their friends to someone who knows and cares about them and people like them.
7 7.
I’m focused patient retention. I don’t have time
for social media.
That Doc, is a direct contradiction to the power of social media. Not being present demonstrates indifference. Here’s a poem I wrote for a physician friend of mine:
That Doc, is a direct contradiction to the power of social media. Not being present demonstrates indifference. Here’s a poem I wrote for a physician friend of mine:
Act like you give a damn.
Show that you care.
Lose the indifference.
And you’re half-the-way-there. (thanks for indulging my inner-poet)
8.
I need to prove exponential return on investment
for any investment we make in social media.
Me, too. Let’s make building a community, also known as developing followers, the first factor in return on investment. And no, that’s not some sales guy talking. We both know we need to be in the market before we can do business development. People, yeah even patients, like to know that you’re investing in them and getting to know them before we start asking of them.
Me, too. Let’s make building a community, also known as developing followers, the first factor in return on investment. And no, that’s not some sales guy talking. We both know we need to be in the market before we can do business development. People, yeah even patients, like to know that you’re investing in them and getting to know them before we start asking of them.
9.
I want to make a viral video.
Did you see the one featuring window-washers in super hero costumes? Look for moments that resonate with your inner child. Most viral videos work because they make us smile. Hey Doc, you don’t have to be funny but you can laugh.
10. I don’t have time.
Did you see the one featuring window-washers in super hero costumes? Look for moments that resonate with your inner child. Most viral videos work because they make us smile. Hey Doc, you don’t have to be funny but you can laugh.
10. I don’t have time.
I know. But we meet here once a month and to me, I’d give up our time together if you’d spend it with your patients via social media. Patients, okay doctors too, like people who make time for them.
