Oct. 22, 2018
It’s estimated that nearly 80% of all healthcare needs that drive someone to choose a doctor, clinic, or hospital begin with online research.
Consumers are not only turning to the internet for information about symptoms and treatments. They’re also searching for provider reviews to help them decide who they’ll trust with their health – and often in the case of urological conditions – their life.
Adjusting to a paradigm shift where patients have greater control over a provider’s reputation can be intimidating (if not frightening). But at the same time, this shift gives physicians, clinics and hospitals an exciting new way to engage patients.
Start with your website
Your website can empower patients and other consumers with the information they need to choose your practice over any other. That said, when was the last time you evaluated your current site? For example:
Managing the Patient Experience
Consumers read an average of seven reviews before trusting a business. And 43% say they would travel an extra 30 minutes to visit a doctor with a higher review rating. Facts like these reveal the importance of managing your online reputation on social media and health-related review sites.
Social Media
Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Yelp are conduits for posting personal healthcare experiences and opinions – good or bad – about your urological practice. On the provider side, these platforms provide the opportunity to engage patients in two-way communication. This interaction can help you effectively build your brand – and brand ambassadors.
Here are a few tips to leverage the power of social media:
Health-related Review Sites
With 85% of consumers saying they trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations, providers can no longer ignore widely used health-related sites like HealthGrades, Vitals and WebMD. To keep pace with the changing digital curve, urologists need to encourage loyal patients to share their experiences online.
Here are a few strategies that can help you turn patients into brand ambassadors:
Review a Strategy for Success
See how Legato Healthcare Marketing successfully helped Urology Associates grow online visibility and build reputation in this recent case study. Legato Healthcare Marketing is an expert in the urology field. We have the skills and strategies to help you succeed.
Download your Urology Practice Digital Guide today and reach out to Mike Milligan (mikem@golegato.com) to get started.
Website by: Craig Erskine
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