Transform Healthcare With Social Media

Compiled by Ken Congdon, Editor In Chief

Patient privacy concerns have kept many healthcare providers from seriously pursuing a social media strategy. However, leveraging these tools effectively can have a profound impact on patient communication and engagement.

We’ve all heard the horror stories. We know all about the doctors, nurses, and administrative personnel who have breached patient privacy laws by gossiping about patients (some even posting photos) on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. These lapses in professional judgment are a travesty — without question. Consequently, social media has become somewhat taboo in healthcare circles.

Many healthcare providers are reluctant to explore the possibilities of social media because they are unclear how to best leverage these tools or implement proper usage policies. These providers fear engaging in social media will expose their organizations to a new and largely uncontrollable security risk. As a result, many providers have opted to stay away. This is an unfortunate response to the issue, because closing the door on social media not only eliminates the security threat, it also prevents a provider from realizing the countless benefits social media can deliver.