Hey Doc, What It Is

Are you still trying to decide if there a return-on-investment available through the use of social media? While you’re waiting you’re losing. Losing future dollars. Losing relevance. The value of your voice in the community is depreciating as patient-driven physicians are amassing new wealth in the form of clout. Clout with future patients and clout eventually becomes dollars.

Those doctors or healthcare organizations aren’t necessarily better at medicine than you. They’re simply better at culture. Your value proposition in the marketplace is what you know about achieving positive health outcomes. You’re pretty good at connecting that to a patient’s experience in the exam room, through a prescription or in surgery. But how’re you doing out there?  You know, online via social media. 

Still looking for something to prove it’s the right thing for you? Well, how about letting me debunk some health care social media myths for you.  You know, tell you what it is (and what it’s not).

It’s not a road to nowhere. It is a path to connectivity with patients, their families, future patients and others who influence health choices. 

It is a way for you to maintain a general conversation with the community that demonstrates a willingness to share information that might make a difference in their wellbeing. By the way, people who share make more friends. Friends refer friends. Friends are patients, too.

It’s not date night. Your patients are not asking you to out to dinner.  They’re simply looking to connect through their preferred channel. And this one has emerged to be that.

It is by all evidence an affordable conduit to the future as those with options choose providers, and those within plans sort one doctor or organization from another based on word of mouth, ratings, and social media manner—like bedside manner but on your smartphone.

It’s not a drive through window. Patients are not likely to ask for a diagnosis of some ailment. They’re too private for that. They’re just looking for something that might help them sift through clues about what ails them and you’re their most trusted source for that kind of information.

Look, I don’t profess to know much about making money but I have learned this, people connect with those who care. And caring starts with sharing.  Social Media is that.

Hey Doc, (ahem) There's an App for That

First the dramatic lead. We’re facing a health care crisis of enormous proportions. The cost of care is already rising, but the combination of an aging population and changes to diet and lifestyle leaves a growing percentage of the population susceptible to chronic health conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, which further drive health care costs.

Now, for an overly simple response to the dramatic lead. Then let’s not do those things that will lead to higher health care costs. Well, one of those things is desirable – to age would suggest that we’re continuing to live. So, let’s focus on the others – changes to diet and lifestyle.

Affecting changes to lifestyle or diet may not be as expensive as you think. In some cases it might even be free. And, it may even be fun. But it won’t happen in the exam room. After all, that’s where you raise the flag for your patient and where it later becomes clear as to whether or not what you have suggested is working.

Since it’s not the exam room, then where? Your patient’s ever present smartphone. Yeah, let’s tap into that and see if we can affect their behavior toward a better health outcome.

Did I say, “Tap into?” Uh huh. And that leads us to this: Five Apps That Promote Health and Wellness via patient smartphones.

  

1.     My Medical ($2.99) Start by being organized. This app allows patients to manage their medical conditions by maintaining better records including recent doctor visits, labs, X-rays and medical procedures. Patients can keep track of their records, family members and loved ones, which is helpful for parents and caregivers – and you

2.  Pill Reminder ($.99) Months ago we discussed the impact a text reminder had on health outcomes for those taking prescription meds. Clearly, people have trouble remembering to take their medication whether it’s a daily multivitamin or a medication for treatment of a chronic condition. This app could save a life by simply reminding the patient to take their medicine.

3.     Meal Snap ($.99) What if you could snap a photo of your meal and automatically know how many calories of food were on your plate? This app does that. Could calorie counting get any easier? You can also share what you’re eating with others to build a network of social accountability. Maybe someone will call you out the next time you snap a photo of a beautifully plated chicken and waffles.

4.     White Noise (Free) Studies say that most of us aren’t getting enough sleep and many of your peers suggest that certain health issues could be managed by meditation instead of medication. But how do you get the rest or take the time out? The white noise app drowns out distracting sounds so that you can relax or sleep. Sleep or meditate instead of medicate? I like the sound of that.

5.     Pedometer (Free) Your patient probably has to put down the smartphone when you walk into the exam room. It’s ever present. So, why not use the built-in GPS to transform their iPhone into a pedometer that tracks how far they walk? Set a goal for your patient to walk however many steps a day. Regular exercise can lead to weight loss, reduced blood pressure, improve cholesterol and lead to other positive health changes – one step at a time.

Look, that’s just five that help patients be better organized, take their meds, eat better, rest better, and get regular exercise. I’m not even going to get into the apps that allow patients to pee on a stick to determine whether or not they have an STD. Or, apps that allow users to study intestinal wellness by comparing photos of their stools to healthy stools on the way to your helping them to diagnosis bowel related illnesses. Oops, too late guess I did get into those.

So let’s keep it simple. Perhaps you can help your patient focus on their well being and we can all work to lower health care costs by simply learning to utter what in most industries is already a tired phrase, “there’s an app for that.”  Sorry, I had to say it.

Wanna talk about it? Hit me up at www.twitter.com/timbigfish 

Hey Doc, Mobile Matters

You don’t have to sit in a waiting room long to see it. Yet we still look for science to prove it. Perhaps that’s how we learn what works in health care. And if we’re talking about disease management or pharmaceuticals, I’m with you. Take the time. But if we’re talking about patient experience, it’s time to take act: Mobile is everywhere and, therefore, mobile matters.

According to the Pew Internet and American Life Project, “Eighty-eight percent of U.S. adults own a cell phone (April 2012), and more than half of them use their phone to go online.”

Never mind the teenagers, 94 percent of people between the ages of 30 and 49 own cell phones and 86 percent of people between the ages of 50 and 64 own cell phones. The majority of them access the Internet via that same device.

So do you.

I’ve been in your office as a patient. You’ve handed me your cell phone to show me a website that might help me better understand a medical condition. And, you let me watch over your shoulder as you accessed E-Socrates for our chat about medication. Your use did three things for me as patient.

By handing me your phone to show me the data you were, in effect, saying, “You’re not contagious, you’re my friend and I want you to know what I know.” That is today’s bedside manner inspirational poster moment personified.

But maybe you’re not my doctor and you need the math. According to a 2012 report conducted by Float Mobile Learning, 88 percent of surveyed physicians would like their patients to use mobile devices to monitor health indicators such as weight, blood sugar and vital signs. The same report also found that 80 percent of surveyed physicians use smartphones and medical applications, and some use mobile devices to make quicker clinical decisions.

According to a 2011 report conducted by Jackson & Coker, a leading physician recruiting firm, four out of five practicing physicians use smartphones, computer tablets, various mobile devices and various apps in their medical practices.

Several factors that attribute to doctors’ use of mobile devices including: they are affordable, easy to use and can be easily carried between exams. Well, they’re affordable technologies for patients too. And we use them to gather information and connect with others who might share our health experience. We use mobile and the apps and websites that mobile enables to get better. You can use this information to help me getter better, too.

As an example of how mobile health tools are benefiting health management, a recent study demonstrated that a health-related text messaging system was an effective way to manage diabetes.

Thirty-four patients at a hospital in Peru were used in an experiment; 17 of the 34 were enrolled in a text-messaging program that sent texts regarding risk factors, drug intake reminders, lab tests and medical appointments. The other 17 were enrolled in a control group. Almost twice as many participants in the text-messaging group took their medication as prescribed.

These results go along with Float Mobile Learning’s previous report stating that 40 percent of physicians believe utilizing mobile health technologies will reduce the number of office visits needed by patients. Maybe that part is mixed news. But, patients like it.

So, here’s the deal. You like mobile. Your patients like mobile. Mobile is affordable. Mobile lowers barriers to our communicating with one another. Mobile based solutions can be used to help patients get better and doctors to work with one another. And therefore, mobile matters.

Five and One for 2010

The last decade brought a significant shift in the way that brands communicate with their prospects and customers. Consumers invited brands into their lives in ways no one could have imagined and they intend to maintain this new paradigm.

Indeed, 42% of all online adults and over half of youth surveyed by Forrester have expressed a continued desire to interact with brands in social media. That’s right! In the age of TiVO ad skipping and anti-spam technology, your customer said

“Go ahead. Tell me your story. Let’s be friends. I’ll introduce you to some of mine. But, I get to choose when and where.”

"When and where" manifest as these 5 things:

1. Mobile Everything – over 750 billion text messages were sent and more than 50,000 apps where created. And, that was last year alone. All of this in the name of being connected. Customers are surfing in carpool lines, prospects are texting during business meetings, and they’re all willing to let you in.

2.Twitter – some brands connected to hundred others to dare I say thousands even millions of prospects, fans, and customers 140 characters at a time. Nothing much was said, but some sweet offers were made (i.e. JetBlue unlimited airfare deal). Meanwhile, what we learned about one another through the trivial initiated the bond needed for meaningful dialogue.

3. YouTube – if you’re a young male adult Axe for Men has something just for you. But, not on their web site. That’s old school. Visit their ‘channel’ for funny videos and product promotions. Then, pass the fun along to your friends. Oh, it’s not just for the kids. Over 1 million people visit YouTube everyday. Some just smell better than others.

4. Google – Einstein said, ‘never memorize anything that you can look up’. Wow! If he only knew. 1 trillion people ‘google’ each day and within seconds have contact information, promotional offers, product reviews, maps to locations, and if they are so inclined over 2 million results for the connection between energy and mass (e=MC2) alone.

5. Facebook – 350 million people use it and half of those folks use it every day. Some of the users are old enough to be your mother. Heck, some of them are. And, much of their time is spent letting friends know which products are their favorites. “I’m a fan…”

But you knew all of this didn’t you? Yet, you’re blowing it off because you think it’s silly to ‘tweet’. And, in and of it’s self you may be right. But, these are the rules to a quickly evolving game that you’ve been invited to play.

So, here's the 1 thing you need to do for positive results in 2010:

1. Create a Plan -- develop and implement a strategy to optimize these new platforms and consumer behaviors. It’s THE one thing you must do now. And, Bigfish has the know-how to do it. We call it the Starfish Strategy.

"Like?” Reach me www.twitter.com/timbigfish. Let's talk about it.

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/ .