By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth 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
    An Expert’s Guide To Building and Improving Endurance
    June 30, 2022
    medical assistants
    What Do Medical Assistants Do On a Day to Day Basis?
    April 5, 2022
    superfoods to help with prostate health
    10 Healthy Foods That Can Help Protect Your Prostate
    August 29, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • 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
    Five Fields In Healthcare That Are Quickly Growing
    May 17, 2016
    risk management
    Accountability for Risk Management and Cybersecurity in Healthcare Institutions
    January 28, 2015
    5 Helpful Networking Tips For Healthcare Professionals
    September 28, 2020
    Latest News
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Hey Friend, Can I Interest You in a Lung Transplant?
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > eHealth > Social Media > Hey Friend, Can I Interest You in a Lung Transplant?
Social Media

Hey Friend, Can I Interest You in a Lung Transplant?

DavidEWilliams
Last updated: July 18, 2012 7:47 am
DavidEWilliams
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE

It’s no surprise to me that hospitals are starting to advertise high profit services on Google and Facebook. According to a Kaiser Health News piece, University of Pennsylvania Health System is trolling for lung transplant patients. Spending $20,000 generated 4,600 clicks, 36 appointments, and at least one prospective patient. With lung transplant revenue in the range of $100,000 per patient, even one patient may be enough to justify the media spend.

It’s no surprise to me that hospitals are starting to advertise high profit services on Google and Facebook. According to a Kaiser Health News piece, University of Pennsylvania Health System is trolling for lung transplant patients. Spending $20,000 generated 4,600 clicks, 36 appointments, and at least one prospective patient. With lung transplant revenue in the range of $100,000 per patient, even one patient may be enough to justify the media spend.

Some users are a bit wigged out when they realize that the ads are served up based on what they’ve searched for online or written about in their status. And of course critics are up in arms about over-diagnosis and treatment, especially when an academic medical center is involved.

But of course the main purpose of Google and Facebook is to segment customers for advertisers. Why else would they offer up all these services for free? And we shouldn’t be surprised to see academic medical centers go after patients –they do it all on the time with other media. Maximizing the uptake of profitable services is how they make ends meet and subsidize some of their other, more mission-oriented activities.

More Read

Best ways to increase patients for doctors
How To Increase Patients? Think Like A Patient (5 Quick Ideas)
How the Uber-ization of Healthcare is Going to Put the Industry in Gear
Social Networking Analysis Shows Promise for mHealth – video interview
Social Media: One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Mobile Health Around the Globe: Apps on Health Storified

I’ve seen this coming for a long time, and in guises that are more insidious than anything mentioned in the article. Almost five years ago in What if Google finds out you have cancer before you do? I noted that ads for a drug used to reduce the risk of infection in chemo patients were popping up alongside a friend’s searches. With a strong enough profit motive and the right technology and personal information, I’d expect to see a lot more diagnosis done this way.

 


TAGGED:marketing
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

healthcare facilities
Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
Global Healthcare Infographics
June 15, 2025
from gut to glow
From Plate to Wellness: How Everyday Foods Nourish Your Body Inside and Out
Dental health Infographics Specialties
June 15, 2025
beyond nutrition
Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
Health Infographics
June 15, 2025
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy
How TMS Therapy Helps with Treatment-Resistant Mental Illness
Mental Health Therapies
June 13, 2025

You Might also Like

Google + And Health Train Express

September 5, 2011

Does Social Media Influence Rx Habits and Choices?

August 31, 2015
Image
Social Media

10 Tips for Beginner Hospital Bloggers

June 21, 2013

The Public Physician: @Doctor_V guest on #hcsmca

October 29, 2014
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?