Jul 06 2010
Healthcare Jumps on Social Media Bandwagon
Very interesting piece on Ad Age’s website today about how healthcare entities (especially hospitals) are enthusiastically embracing social media as part of a growing focus on using marketing to expand their results (I would say “business,” but that sounds a bit strange for a hospital).
Here is a very interesting quote from the story. It is from Ed Bennett, the director of web strategy for the University of Maryland Medical Center:
“Hospitals realize that word-of-mouth is the most significant driver you can have, so social media is an opportunity to humanize what can be a scary, complex institution,” Mr. Bennett said. “I tell hospitals ‘Don’t get into social media because you think you’re going to get more patients. Do it because you’re helping be responsible to people reaching out looking for answers.’ ”
I have frequently criticized the healthcare industry on this blog for being slow to adopt advanced marketing practices in general, and social media in particular. Well, that is changing for the better. According to Ad Age, the recent healthcare reform has helped to catalyze this change.
Even the US Government has gotten into the act. The new website, www.HealthCare.gov, was just launched to provide very helpful information and counsel to people and businesses on how to get the most out of their healthcare now that reform has become law.
Even in the healthcare realm, good marketing and communications can play an important role in helping people.
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