Social Media can Improve Physician-Patient Communication and Education According to New Whitepaper: Will Doctors Get Onboard?

January 2012 - Physician-Patient communication and education can improve through the use of social media according to a new whitepaper published by Medical Network for Education and Research (MedNet), a Decatur based nonprofit dedicated to improving medical outcomes and promoting preventative healthcare. In the whitepaper the organization shares the challenges the health community faces, specifically physicians, when it comes to educating patients and the impact of social media on physician-patient engagement.

The biggest challenge, the paper reveals, is that consumers are going online and using social media at an enormous rate to gather health information, but without the benefit of physician input. Thus doctors can fill a gap by sharing relevant and informative health information via the internet if they choose to participate. “What we found was that doctors are interested in social media, but lack the time and the expertise on how to utilize the medium professionally and effectively in their practices, states Loretta Patrick, Executive Director of MedNet.

For its research, MedNet conducted a 12 week case study. The purpose of the study was to look at how physicians offices utilized social media in their current practices and to understand the impact on patient communication and education. However, midway through the study, MedNet recognized an educational component needed to be included to help physician‘s offices understand best practices for social media use. 

Outlining a three step plan, MedNet recommends doctors that are interested in improving patient education and communication through social media can do so by (1) Educating themselves and their staff on social media (2) Developing meaningful content and (3) Creating a tailored social media strategy based on their individual practice’s goals and objectives.

The whitepaper was researched and written in conjunction with The Business Practitioner, Inc, a consulting and training company specializing in marketing and strategic planning. The paper, entitled: Socially Based Health Communication and Education: A Three Step Social Media Plan for Physicians is available at no cost and can be downloaded at www.thebusinesspractitioner.com

About Medical Network for Education and Research
Since 2002, Medical Network for Education and Research, Inc. has been fulfilling its mission to improve medical outcomes, promote preventative health care and improve the quality of life for Georgia residents by sponsoring educational projects and conducting social and clinical research.

About The Business Practitioner, Inc.
The Business Practitioner, Inc is an Atlanta based consulting and training firm that was established in 1999 (as Glover Enterprise). The company provides strategic planning and marketing services to nonprofit, for-profit and health related organizations.

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