Hey Doc, 10 Things You Said to Me

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

        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.

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.

10 Things We Do Every Day

I did a lot of people watching during the holidays. People at the mall, coffee shops, and family get-togethers; just doing what people do. That’s when it occurred to me. Most of the things weren’t even possible 10 years ago. Indeed, there are 10 things that I do on a daily basis that weren’t part of my life at the turn of the century. Did I just say that? Anyway, consider this:

1. Texting – I use my phone to send short messages to friends and family throughout the day. Even during important meetings but not during your meeting Ms. Customer.


2. Mobile Web Surfing – I’m constantly online. Even if my phone is the only connection I have. This too can happen during meetings. Or, while waiting for my tall coffee. But, never while driving.


3. Twitter – I tweet my most random or intentional thoughts into 140 characters or less for the whole world to read. Like this. I’ve just done it again.


4. YouTube – anyone in the world can now see my video about the Starfish Strategy. Or, watch a kitty in China play the piano. Good times.


5. Google – Einstein said, ‘never memorize anything that you can look up’. Wow! If he only knew.


6. Facebook – connect with friends and network with business contacts – even when I don’t really want to. And, if from time-to-time we’re not really friends. “Like?”


7. Netflix – sorry Blockbuster but my laptop, HDTV, and the Internet just trumped your late fees and limited selection.


8. Hulu – sorry broadcast television executive. No more ‘appointment TV’. I watch what I want when I want. That means 30 Rock is on at 8P Saturday if I want it to be.


9. GoToMeeting – I average 6 presentations a week with people who due to the high cost of travel I would likely never meet. All without a single body search or bag check.


10. Crowd Sourcing – who would have imagined that the Christmas Eve attack on the Pope would only be viewable because some lady was filming it on her phone? Top that CNN.
    

So, what will the next 10 years bring. Who can tell? You can, however, count on this – the innovation will come from either the consumer audience or a small business. And, it will change everything – again.

What would you add to the list? Share your thoughts with me www.twitter.com/timbigfish , www.facebook.com/timcnicholson or visit our web site http://www.gobigfishgo.com/ .