By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    What Are the Benefits of CBD?
    November 27, 2021
    How to Measure Adult Diapers- The Ultimate Guide to Picking the Right Size
    March 8, 2022
    medicine cabinet
    The Effect Of Finished Dosage Form Manufacturing In New Drugs
    July 5, 2022
    Latest News
    How to Combat Home Sickness After Moving Abroad
    March 19, 2023
    4 Ways to Recover from a Broken Hip
    March 14, 2023
    What Are Dietary Supplements: Purpose, Benefits, & Facts
    March 15, 2023
    5 Benefits of Receiving Acupuncture Regularly
    March 9, 2023
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    19 Ways to Recognize You’re a Neonatal Therapist
    August 19, 2011
    Avastin for Colon Cancer: A Conflicted View
    January 19, 2012
    Medical Ethics: Why I Wouldn’t Write a Prescription
    October 8, 2012
    Latest News
    3 Ways to Improve the U.S. Healthcare System By 2030
    March 14, 2023
    6 Steps To Ensure Speed And Efficiency Of Clinical Studies
    March 14, 2023
    5 Most Valuable Healthcare Programs in 2023
    March 8, 2023
    The Everest Foundation’s Mission to Support Inclusive Healthcare
    February 24, 2023
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: HealthCare Marketing: Past, Present and Future
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Latest News
mental health tips
Caring for Your Mental Health Should Be a Top Priority
Mental Health
combat home sickness
How to Combat Home Sickness After Moving Abroad
Health News
depression signs
Early Signs of Depression that You Shouldn’t Ignore
Mental Health
positive mental health
How to Build a Positive Mental Health Environment
Mental Health
broken hip recovery
4 Ways to Recover from a Broken Hip
Health
Aa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Aa
Search
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > eHealth > Social Media > HealthCare Marketing: Past, Present and Future
BusinessSocial Media

HealthCare Marketing: Past, Present and Future

joan justice
Last updated: 2013/04/16 at 8:29 AM
joan justice
Share
7 Min Read
Image
SHARE

Image

Image

Healthcare marketing has changed dramatically over the past ten years.  Brochures and flyers, TV and magazine ads have given way to social media channels and provider websites.  Outbound marketing has been replaced with inbound marketing.  And that’s a good thing (IMHO).  But even if providers, doctors and other healthcare professionals do not agree with the “new” marketing, they better get on board or they will definitely be left behind. 

What are the changes taking place in healthcare marketing today and what can we expect from the future?

More Read

saving money in healthcare

Best Money-Saving Tips for Health Managers

HR Must Navigate Polarizing Views in Healthcare Workplaces
Should Hospitals Use SASE or Traditional Network Security?
The Technology and Services You Need to Open Your Own Counseling Office
Should Nurse Practitioners Form an LLC?

Clarity

Clear is the new Clever.  Make your website and your mission clear.  No one wants to search for even minutes through cluttered sites.  Photos are great, but make them work for you, not distract from useful information.  Everyone is in a hurry, and you have only seconds to get your point across.  Trim down cluttered websites containing buttons, moving images and videos that start as soon as you go to the site (now that’s annoying)!  Patients aren’t particularly interested in beautiful photos of the outside of your hospital or practice.  Better to concentrate on a good index of what’s on the site and a clear link to the patient portal.  A good search tool is important and perhaps some recent (and I mean recent, not months old) hospital news – a new doctor, new technology, new campaign, etc.  If you want to see a nice, uncluttered, clear, useful provider website, go to HealthPartners and take a look.  It has everything useful and nothing that is not.

Patient engagement

People want to be actively involved in their treatment.  The ePatient movement, with participatory medicine and the QS movement, with self-monitoring show that,  more and more, people want to learn about and take part in their health.  “Nothing about me, without me!” is the mantra now.  Shared decision-making is making inroads.  Providers should make sure patients have their own site, HIPAA protected, and it’s nice to call it My[name of provider] so that the patient feels some ownership.  There, patients should be able to access records, make appointments, get in touch via email, learn about healthcare related topics and read news about their provider.   

Boomers are aging but still feeling youthful and active.  For the most part, boomers are tech savvy with smartphones and tablets and want to make full use of them when searching for healthcare information.  Providers should harness digital technology to build wellness sites for those boomers (and others) in their community.  Offer interactive wellness coaches and advice about healthy living and nutrition.  Be the wellnes leader in your community; offer smoking cessation programs, fitness programs and healthy cooking programs.  The more you engage consumers, the more they will feel at home and the more loyal they will become.

Accessibility

Providers and doctors are going to have to be accessible.  Websites should provide clear avenues of contact and emails and phone calls should be answered within 24 hours.  Patients want to be heard and they want to be seen.  They do not want to be told they must wait several weeks to get an appointment.  Telehealth access is growing.  Some hospitals have telehealth clinics on their website that their patients can use for common illnesses.  And some Emergency Departments have telemedicine kiosks for those with less urgent conditions that come to be seen by ED physicians.  Any way that a provider can help provide good accessibility to a high quality of care in a short time period is appreciated. 

Transparency

Transparency breeds trust and that is what patients want.  Social media channels with their sharing concept and instant messages have changed consumer behavior.  Patients can now “shop around” while never leaving home.  They are looking for transparency and trust and will choose providers who offer that. Providers should promote trust by making pricing as transparent as possible.  Invite questions about cost of procedures.  Check competitors’ prices and make sure that yours are below the regional average.  Advertise your high quality of care and pysician experience.  Patients are savvy that the more procedures a doctor has done, the more experienced he is, so take note of that and make sure your customers are aware of any senior experienced physician in your network.

Healing Environment

Healing environments have been shown to promote quicker healing and increased patient satisfaction.  Discuss what steps you can take to make your organization into more of a positive healing environment.  Small adjustments like better noise control and dimmer lights can go a long way towards better patient comfort.  And better, healthier food, pictures or photos in patient rooms, a patient interactive system, and allowing patient’s pets during visiting hours are all ways of increasing patient comfort and satisfaction.

The Future?

As time progresses, digital marketing and interactive patient engagement will be the way to market in healthcare.  Big Data will allow marketeers to target consumers and send them customized messages and products.  Providers are going to have to be more and more vigilant and patient-centered as social media promoting information sharing will demand transparency.  Patients are leading the way and providers will have to follow.

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
joan justice April 16, 2013
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Copy Link Print
Share
Previous Article PatientsLikeMe: New Way to Get Healthcare Support
Next Article Wing of Zock to Host Next Health Care Social Media Review

Stay Connected

1.5k Followers Like
4.5k Followers Follow
2.8k Followers Pin
136k Subscribers Subscribe

Latest News

mental health tips
Caring for Your Mental Health Should Be a Top Priority
Mental Health March 19, 2023
combat home sickness
How to Combat Home Sickness After Moving Abroad
Health News March 19, 2023
depression signs
Early Signs of Depression that You Shouldn’t Ignore
Mental Health March 19, 2023
positive mental health
How to Build a Positive Mental Health Environment
Mental Health March 15, 2023

You Might also Like

medical call centers benefits
Wellness

Best Practices for Healthcare Call Centers Should Follow in 2023

February 16, 2023
employee's wellness
Health

How Hospitals and Other Healthcare Providers Can Boost Employee Morale

February 13, 2023
BusinessHospital Administration

What are the Benefits of Hospitals and Clinics Using Expense Management Services?

February 13, 2023
healthcare workers with gloves
Hospital Administration

Tips to Keep Health Workers Safe in the Workplace

February 8, 2023
//

We influence million of users and is the most authentic source of information on healthcare business and technology news.

Quick Links

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Subscribe

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Follow US

© 2008-2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?