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April 10, 2013
What to Do If Your Practice Is Bashed Online

Today’s online communication options make it easier than ever before for patients and other audiences to share their delight or dissatisfaction with others. That can be a big benefit for practices hoping to leverage positive word-of-mouth or conduct research into what consumers are interested in when it comes to healthcare services. It can also be a big nightmare if dissatisfied patients, or others, take their concerns online.

Today’s online communication options make it easier than ever before for patients and other audiences to share their delight or dissatisfaction with others. That can be a big benefit for practices hoping to leverage positive word-of-mouth or conduct research into what consumers are interested in when it comes to healthcare services. It can also be a big nightmare if dissatisfied patients, or others, take their concerns online.
 

February 27, 2013
Skype & HIPAA: Dream or Nightmare?

The issue of whether to use Skype or similar web-based platforms is a vexing one for many healthcare providers. Skype has been used by healthcare providers as a means by which to communicate with patients. Skype and similar platforms are generally free and familiar to millions worldwide.  It is simple to use and is readily available. Notwithstanding the fact that Skype is ubiquitous, its use may be inappropriate for health care providers as web-based platforms raise a number of significant HIPAA privacy and security issues.

By René Quashie

The issue of whether to use Skype or similar web-based platforms is a vexing one for many healthcare providers. Skype has been used by healthcare providers as a means by which to communicate with patients.

(For purposes of this article, the term “Skype” will be used to include Skype and similar free web-based communication platforms relying on proprietary voice over Internet technology. Note that Skype and similar platforms are proprietary services.)

February 12, 2013
Using Video to Market Your Practice & Educate Patients

Has your healthcare organization embraced video and all the ways it can be used? If not, you’re missing out on an effective tool that appeals to both existing and prospective patients, experts say. For many medical practices, video has become the cornerstone of their marketing program, and they’re focusing their marketing dollars on videos that can be used on their websites and social media sites, as well as in the office. Here MOT talks with a number of professionals who have found success using video to market their practices and educate their patients.   

Has your healthcare organization embraced video and all the ways it can be used? If not, you’re missing out on an effective tool that appeals to both existing and prospective patients, experts say. For many medical practices, video has become the cornerstone of their marketing program, and they’re focusing their marketing dollars on videos that can be used on their websites and social media sites, as well as in the office.

January 16, 2013
Marketing Your Practice to Patients of Different Generations

Healthcare communicators are, perhaps, unique in the challenges they face in marketing to literally all generations. Because they serve their markets from birth to death, and offer services for every stage in between, they have both the opportunity and the challenge to connect and compel varied audiences to take desired actions. That’s not an easy task, but it is one that is grounded in the same sound communication principles that work with any marketing issue.

Healthcare communicators are, perhaps, unique in the challenges they face in marketing to literally all generations. Because they serve their markets from birth to death, and offer services for every stage in between, they have both the opportunity and the challenge to connect and compel varied audiences to take desired actions.

October 3, 2012
How Do Patients Choose a Provider? Part II

In Part II of the series, MOT explores how different demographic groups choose a physician, and how patients’ methods for choosing are evolving over time. Turns out, gender and age do matter when it comes to choosing a physician. Understanding these differences can help you hone your marketing efforts, from augmenting your referral network to learning the various interacting styles of different demographic groups.

Part I of this two-part series dealt with the elements patients feel a healthcare practice must have in order to earn their business, as well as the role insurance plays in patients’ decision-making process. In Part II of the series, MOT explores how different demographic groups choose a physician, and how patients’ methods for choosing are evolving over time.
 

September 26, 2012
Proven Strategies to Recruit Employees via the Internet

The Internet, social media in particular, is an effective tool for medical practices to recruit new employees because that’s where your target audience spends a lot of time. Traditional networking strategies such as association luncheons and industry cocktail parties are taking a backseat to online networking. Today’s healthcare job seeker is using the web and social media channels to find job opportunities, connect with potential employers and network with colleagues in new ways.

The Internet, social media in particular, is an effective tool for medical practices to recruit new employees because that’s where your target audience spends a lot of time. Traditional networking strategies such as association luncheons and industry cocktail parties are taking a backseat to online networking. Today’s healthcare job seeker is using the web and social media channels to find job opportunities, connect with potential employers and network with colleagues in new ways.
 

September 5, 2012
5 Reasons to Use Social Media in Your Practice

Business professionals all over the world, from lawyers to small business owners, are now beginning to take a closer look at sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, and they are discovering all of the benefits that these social sites can have for the growth and productivity of their business. One group that can truly reap the benefits of social media more than others is healthcare providers.

By Shama Kabani
 
It is no secret that social media is becoming a large part of our everyday lives. Whether you are swapping photos and stories with your friends on Facebook, sharing funny anecdotes about your day through Twitter, or re-connecting with old colleagues via LinkedIn, one thing is for sure―social media has completely changed the way that we interact with people on a day-to-day basis.

May 2, 2012
Signs Your Practice Is Out of Date

Has your administrative staff never touched a PC? Is your waiting room furniture scuffed, worn or ripped? Are your signs rusted, dirty and faded? Does your website contain “current” information circa the Bush administration? If you answered yes to any of these questions, your practice is a bit out of date, and you could be in big trouble when it comes to remaining competitive in your community. Following are five signs that your practice needs updating – stat! See if you recognize yourself in any of them and read our solutions.

Has your administrative staff never touched a PC? Is your waiting room furniture scuffed, worn or ripped? Are your signs rusted, dirty and faded? Does your website contain “current” information circa the Bush administration?
 
If you answered yes to any of these questions, your practice is a bit out of date, and you could be in big trouble when it comes to remaining competitive in your community. Following are five signs that your practice needs updating – stat! See if you recognize yourself in any of them and read our solutions.
 

February 8, 2012
Do You Need Cyber Liability Insurance?

All healthcare organizations, regardless of size, specialty or location, should be asking themselves whether they need cyber liability insurance. Although every type of business is vulnerable to losses that can be covered by this type of coverage, healthcare organizations have even more exposure because they deal with both financial and health-related information.

 All healthcare organizations, regardless of size, specialty or location, should be asking themselves whether they need cyber liability insurance.
 
Although every type of business is vulnerable to losses that can be covered by this type of coverage, healthcare organizations have even more exposure because they deal with both financial and health-related information. Healthcare organizations collect more information that other types of business, and they usually keep that information for much longer, amplifying their exposure.
 

November 16, 2011
Building Your Referral Network

Just like education and marketing, your referral network needs ongoing attention from you in order to flourish and to keep bringing you a steady stream of new patients. 

Just like education and marketing, your referral network needs ongoing attention from you in order to flourish and to keep bringing you a steady stream of new patients. While it may not always be top of mind, periodically checking in with your referral network’s progress and implementing referral-building techniques will keep the system running smoothly so that your business can continue to thrive.
 

November 10, 2011
Using Mobile Technology: Part II

From a provider’s perspective, the rapid use of Smartphones and other mobile devices by patients makes it that more important for your practices to have a presence in a mobile space. 

This is part two of a two-part series on using mobile technology. Last week, we discussed using mobile technology as part of your clinical practice. In this week’s piece, we will demonstrate how you can use this same technology to communicate with your patients.
 
From a provider’s perspective, the rapid use of Smartphones and other mobile devices by patients makes it that more important for your practices to have a presence in a mobile space. 
 

October 25, 2011
Online Tools to Manage Your Reputation

Are you actively monitoring your online reputation? If you’re not, you should because more and more people are using the Internet as a guide and an advisor. 

Are you actively monitoring your online reputation? If you’re not, you should because more and more people are using the Internet as a guide and an advisor.
 

September 6, 2011
What’s Your Webutation?

Today, more than ever, patients are turning to review sites when seeking information about a medical provider, just as they would check a restaurant’s review on before dining. The growing popularity of review websites has placed considerable weight on medical practices to pay attention to and monitor their online reputations, or “webutations.”
 

By Michael Mosley
 
With the advancements of smart phones and computer software, people are more connected than ever.  Heightened connectivity also means higher expectations. Today, more than ever, patients are turning to review sites when seeking information about a medical provider, just as they would check a restaurant’s review on before dining. The growing popularity of review websites has placed considerable weight on medical practices to pay attention to and monitor their online reputations, or “webutations.”
 

August 30, 2011
Designing a Great Website for Your Practice

A great website is a vital component to your outreach and marketing initiatives. As an extension of your practice, it’s a highly effective, low-cost way to promote your services as well as serve as a valuable resource tool for your patients.

A great website is a vital component to your outreach and marketing initiatives. As an extension of your practice, it’s a highly effective, low-cost way to promote your services as well as serve as a valuable resource tool for your patients.
 

May 24, 2011
Competing with Google & WebMD

It’s becoming commonplace for patients to seek medical information from online resources such as WebMD and Google. While the information patients find can be helpful, it can also present some challenges since a physician’s recommended care may differ from what WebMD, Google or online health information sites might say.

It’s becoming commonplace for patients to seek medical information from online resources such as WebMD and Google. While the information patients find can be helpful, it can also present some challenges since a physician’s recommended care may differ from what WebMD, Google or online health information sites might say.
 
“It can be very productive to patient care and it can be counter-productive,” says Dr. Harris Cohen, a family practitioner from Lower Gwynedd, Pa.
 

May 17, 2011
Improving a Patient’s Experience with Interactive Technology

One way you can enhance the patient’s experience is through the use of interactive technology. The more a practice can go digital, the more easily they can communicate with the patient, and make the whole process of care more transparent.

Given the changing nature of healthcare, improving a patient’s experience is of critical importance. Patients frequently have the ability to choose their healthcare provider for both day-to-day and specialized procedures, so the ability to deliver excellent service is a critical deliverable.
 
One way you can enhance the patient’s experience is through the use of interactive technology. The more a practice can go digital, the more easily they can communicate with the patient, and make the whole process of care more transparent.
 

March 22, 2011
Building & Expanding Your Patient Base, Part II

Last week, MOT discussed several ways to increase your patient base by following some traditional customer-oriented methods. This week, we look at how to retain and attract patients using technology.

This is Part II of a two-part article.
 
Last week, MOT discussed several ways to increase your patient base by following some traditional customer-oriented methods. This week, we look at how to retain and attract patients using technology.
 
Leveraging online marketing tools
 

March 2, 2011
Managing Your Staff’s Use of Social Media

At any given moment, your employees can be tweeting, sharing photos on Facebook, or connecting to someone on LinkedIn, and the type of content they're posting could be an issue – one that could cost your practice as much as $50,000.

Social media continues to proliferate into the workplace. At any given moment, your employees can be tweeting, sharing photos on Facebook, or connecting to someone on LinkedIn.
 
Even if you block access to social media websites, your employees can still log into their accounts through mobile devices. While allowing access is not a problem, the type of content your employees are posting could be an issue – one that could cost your practice as much as $50,000.
 

November 2, 2010
Using Mobile Technology: Part I

Medical practices are increasingly adopting mobile devices such as iPads and Smartphones to improve efficiency and patient care. However, some physicians are falling into the trap of ignoring mobile technology until they are forced to change, resulting in an overwhelming transition wrought with frustration. 

This is the first of a two-part series on mobile technology. In this article, you will learn about the benefits of using mobile technology as part of a clinical practice.
 
Medical practices are increasingly adopting mobile devices such as iPads and Smartphones to improve efficiency and patient care. However, some physicians are falling into the trap of ignoring mobile technology until they are forced to change, resulting in an overwhelming transition wrought with frustration.