Key Points
Because patient reaction to social networking efforts may vary dramatically from patient to patient and also may depend on the specialty of the physician sending the message, careful thought and some test marketing should precede any social networking activity, be it on Facebook, Twitter, or even a practice Web site.
Most of your patients most likely would appreciate your conveying important information to them. Telling them, for example, that you've received a supply of flu vaccine, and giving them your recommendation as to whether they should receive the vaccine, can be a valuable service. If you communicate about the expansion of office hours, the introduction of a new physician, or changes in the insurance plans in which you participate, such information may make your practice more attractive to some people. Telling patients about what you learned at a recent medical conference can let them know that you continue to update your knowledge base, that you work hard to stay at the leading edge of medical knowledge, and that new technologies, new drugs, or new procedures may offer benefits not previously available.
Some tips to consider:
Medical Economics Consultant Steven I. Kern, JD, is a health law attorney with Kern Augustine Conroy & Schoppmann in Bridgewater, New Jersey; Lake Success, New York; and Philadelphia. He can be reached at kern@drlaw.com. Malpractice Consult deals with questions on common professional liability issues. If you have a general question or a topic you'd like to see covered here, please send it to memalp@advanstar.com
.
Social networking poses communications, marketing challenges
Should a physician send his or her patients a "friend request" on Facebook? Social networking poses new challenges and rules for doctors and other professionals who embrace it.
Key Points
Because patient reaction to social networking efforts may vary dramatically from patient to patient and also may depend on the specialty of the physician sending the message, careful thought and some test marketing should precede any social networking activity, be it on Facebook, Twitter, or even a practice Web site.
Most of your patients most likely would appreciate your conveying important information to them. Telling them, for example, that you've received a supply of flu vaccine, and giving them your recommendation as to whether they should receive the vaccine, can be a valuable service. If you communicate about the expansion of office hours, the introduction of a new physician, or changes in the insurance plans in which you participate, such information may make your practice more attractive to some people. Telling patients about what you learned at a recent medical conference can let them know that you continue to update your knowledge base, that you work hard to stay at the leading edge of medical knowledge, and that new technologies, new drugs, or new procedures may offer benefits not previously available.
Some tips to consider:
Medical Economics Consultant Steven I. Kern, JD, is a health law attorney with Kern Augustine Conroy & Schoppmann in Bridgewater, New Jersey; Lake Success, New York; and Philadelphia. He can be reached at kern@drlaw.com. Malpractice Consult deals with questions on common professional liability issues. If you have a general question or a topic you'd like to see covered here, please send it to memalp@advanstar.com
.
AI in health care to be part of upcoming House committee meeting
December 6th 2023Artificial Intelligence in medicine: what it means for primary care
October 17th 2022New FDA rules on lab tests could hurt patient health, experts say
December 5th 2023How doctors are using health information exchanges to send and receive patient social health data
January 10th 2022Telemedicine can be the oasis in the health care desert
December 1st 2023Perspectives on burnout, trust, hope in medicine from the president of the AMA
November 30th 2023AI in health care to be part of upcoming House committee meeting
December 6th 2023Artificial Intelligence in medicine: what it means for primary care
October 17th 2022New FDA rules on lab tests could hurt patient health, experts say
December 5th 2023How doctors are using health information exchanges to send and receive patient social health data
January 10th 2022Telemedicine can be the oasis in the health care desert
December 1st 2023Perspectives on burnout, trust, hope in medicine from the president of the AMA
November 30th 2023