New Approaches for Healthcare Social Media

It is becoming essential for those in the healthcare industry to enter the realm of social media. Each day millions of individuals are using social media platforms to find information, including information regarding health related topics. Here are a few new ways to consider using healthcare social media:

Tweet live. Whether it’s attending a healthcare conference or from the operating room, healthcare organizations should consider tweeting about it live. Tweeting live from health industry events and happenings gives insight on the industry to everyone else. This creates positive buzz while raising public awareness for your healthcare organization.

Participate in Tweet Chats. Tweet Chats feature expert panelists and discussions on a variety of topics. It gives a forum to ask questions and quickly receive answers from multiple experts. Through contributing in Tweet Chats your healthcare organization gains credibility, while fostering relationships with key audiences. For example, there may be a Tweet Chat specifically for those suffering from arthritis. If your healthcare organization is involved with treating or managing arthritis pain, you may be able to offer a spokesperson to act as a panelist in an upcoming Tweet Chat.

Social media as a training tool. Healthcare social media efforts can be focused internally as a training tool. This can be done through sharing slideshows, video or pictures from training sessions on sites such as YouTube or Flickr. This makes the training more interactive and easily accessible after the session has ended. It might also give the opportunity to your employees to brush up on their training.

Reaching traditional media. According to a Middleberg Communications survey reported by PRWeek, “70% of journalists now use social networks to assist reporting, compared to 41% the year before.” The numbers speak for themselves. It makes sense for healthcare social media practices to leverage social media channels to gain coverage. Follow relevant reporters on Twitter, engage them in conversation and develop those relationships. Keep contact information and content on your social media platforms up-to-date and relevant to the healthcare industry.

Crisis communication. When any form of disaster takes place, healthcare organizations can use their social media platforms to provide updates both for those directly affected by the situation and those following it.

By putting a focus on healthcare social media practices, your healthcare organization will be able to reach out and continually inform your audiences in the best way possible.

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