Prescribing Social Media for the Doctor’s Office
Published July 15, 2010
By using the wall of its Facebook page as a digital bulletin board for community and patient information, a doctor’s office in Irving, Texas, has successfully melded traditional and digital marketing practices, reports USA Today.
MacArthur Obstetrics and Gynecology has more than 600 fans on Facebook and 1,600 Twitter followers. The platform has helped the practice establish itself as an industry thought leader, with the doctors answering their patients’ questions and posting relevant content.
Additionally, the Facebook page contains information such as the practice’s hours of operation, phone number, official website and address. This helps convert potential customers who may just go to the page for casual advice.
The social outreach has helped MacArthur gain several new patients. This was the case with Kristi Francisco, who told USA today one doctor’s presence on Facebook and Twitter were what inspired her to choose him. “I like the fact that he is so plugged in to the way everybody communicates,” says Francisco.
With Millennials becoming old enough to make their own healthcare decisions, a recent survey from Prudential Individual Life suggests that modern digital marketing platforms, such as Facebook, are becoming increasingly important marketing tools.
