As the relationship between social media and healthcare evolves, the numbers tell the story. Here are some recently published statistics that prove that patients are turning to social media to help them with health-related decisions. Building an online presence is becoming increasingly important to maintain and grow your practice.
– 41% of people said social media would affect their choice of a specific doctor, hospital, or medical facility.(source: Demi & Cooper Advertising and DC Interactive Group) Conversations about health issues are happening online. What used to be face-to-face conversations about experiences with doctors has multiplied as people’s friend and colleague networks have expanded.
– More than 40% of consumers say that information found via social media affects the way they deal with their health. (source: Mediabistro) Articles about healthcare solutions: medical trends, diet, exercise, and preventative care affect lifestyle choices. Medical professionals who provide great information become trusted sources and the go-to-experts.
– 18 to 24 year olds are more than 2x as likely than 45 to 54 year olds to use social media for health-related discussions. (source: Mediabistro) If your target demographics are 18 to 24 year olds, you need to be active online. These newly independent consumers know how to find information on the internet; they have been using search engines most of their life to find the answers to their questions. Make it easy for them to find information on your practice. Regular posts, tweets and blogs that refer to your website will help them to find you.
– 90% of respondents from 18 to 24 years of age said they would trust medical information shared by others on their social media networks. (source: Search Engine Watch) Trust is a BIG factor in making medical decisions. Links to your website and your blog are easy to share online, and social media is all about sharing. Social media networks are growing larger every day. If you have a great online reputation, word gets around!
– 41% of people said social media would affect their choice of a specific doctor, hospital, or medical facility.(source: Demi & Cooper Advertising and DC Interactive Group) Patients have choices, and you need to consider their decision-making criteria. Managing your online reputation insures that you are presenting the right image. Being active and aware of what’s happening online allows you to control the story, and put your best face forward.
– 60% of social media users are the most likely to trust social media posts and activity by doctors over any other group.(source: Infographics Archive) Professionals that share insights on their area of expertise position themselves as online experts in their field. Quality content that is reliable, relatable and relevant can raise your profile and drive more people to your website.
These are impressive numbers, and the trends show that these numbers will continue to increase. Need help reaching out to potential patients? Let CareLink help you make the connections that you need to be part of the conversation that is happening online.