It’s no surprise that hospitals aren’t exactly considered early adopters when it comes to most business or marketing trends and it's a familiar refrain when the topic is social media like Facebook. Some folks from the Cleveland Clinic and Mayo appear to be dabbling, but it’s by no means a stampede. Tony over at hospital impact is curious as to how the hospital marketing community will respond and would love to get your input.
The bottom line is this: While some hospitals are embracing social media, hospitals as a whole won't be getting into social media anytime soon. But, many patients will. And as such, hospitals that take the plunge as early adopters will be well-known as savvy and transparent.
I wouldn't be surprised if the majority of hospitals were actually blocking online access to Facebook or Myspace. This not only makes it hard for PR departments to monitor what is going on, but also hard for marketing departments to consider using these sites to promote themselves or physicians. Shel Holtz has discussed this disappoointing trend at www.stopblocking.org.
Posted by: Warren Allan Johnson | January 05, 2008 at 09:41 AM
No, people don't relaly understand how dangerous medicine can be. If the public is going to start ignoring facts and evidence, they we relaly can't ever overcome this problem. Most people still have faith in a failed system.
Posted by: Oula | May 17, 2012 at 07:43 AM