In this age people are more aware of their rights and are looking for doctors who have more than papers. That’s making the internet the first stop people make when searching for a healthcare provider. People are no longer only after the services. They are mindful of who and where they spend their hard-earned dollars. If the PR efforts are anything to go by, organizations across the board are finding that they have to do more on their end to build relationships.
The role of social media in healthcare
Getting new clients is a byproduct of using social media. However, the primary focus of healthcare providers ought to be fostering relationships and sharing their expertise. Educating the masses about even the simplest of practices could be something to strive for. It paints the brand in a caring light. There is already negative press about how expensive hospitals are and the image that they are only out to make a profit. To be set apart entities would benefit from stepping away from the stereotype and be helpful.
Building communities is also another way healthcare providers can use social media to be a catalyst of progressive change. People visit hospitals for various reasons, and rallying a community of like people is another way to remind people they are not alone. They can find support in each other, with the hospital acting as the platform in which the community gets built. Anyone can do the same; a Meditation Toronto studio can provide similar services for those diagnosed with illnesses where mediation is a recommended form of therapy.
Bringing the human back in healthcare
There are forums where patients share horror stories about the cold treatment they received. Daniel Coleman explores in his book the role of emotional intelligence in healthcare as more people move away from traditional doctors to seek holistic healers. While their facility is required to take steps to transform and become more mindful of people’s emotions in the midst of their ailments, something similar should take place online.
The aim is not to make people emotive to reach out, but rather to demonstrate how you care. Messaging should therefore not be overtly profit driven but rather to provide the narrative in which a person stands to benefit through partnership. If they find your social media channels helpful, then in their time of need they will almost certainly reach out.
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