The digital revolution affects every aspect of our lives, including healthcare. Whether finding the best chiropractor, reserving a parking spot before your surgery, or training doctors and educating patients, the Internet is everywhere.
The Quest For The Right Doctor
The Internet is the first place many of us now go to find medical professionals and health and wellness marketing strategies. A recent study of 1,700 adults found that 80% of respondents had used the Internet in the past year to conduct healthcare-related research. In many countries, the Internet helps Internet users choose the right healthcare provider.
Online Reviews
The Internet has also given patients a voice. Online reviews and rating sites aren’t just for finding a good restaurant. Indeed, the healthcare and medical professional category now accounts for 6% of all online customer reviews, making it the sixth largest category.
These review sites play a vital role in many people’s healthcare decision-making. One study found that 28% of patients surveyed agreed that reading positive reviews on an independent site would be enough to influence them to choose a particular doctor. Paying attention to patient feedback helps ensure the quality of healthcare.
Therefore, online reviews with healthcare digital marketing company for example undoubtedly impact the medical establishments that patients choose. In this context, it is not surprising that even small medical practices are interested in managing their online profile. 90% of healthcare professionals surveyed say they are concerned about the risk of bad customer reviews. This concern is increasingly translating into concrete action: 46% of respondents plan to dedicate resources to managing their online reputation in the next year.
The Relationship Between Doctor And His Patient
Before the advent of the Internet, doctors’ diagnoses were rarely questioned. These days, it’s not uncommon to see patients arrive with a list of potential diagnoses. This may have the advantage that a well-informed patient will be better equipped and more motivated to follow treatment recommendations. However, the information found on the Internet is not always correct, and this can cause disagreements and conflicts between doctors and their patients.
The reliability of health advice on the Internet depends entirely on the quality of the sources. There is a need to educate patients better and empower them to distinguish between reliable and unreliable healthcare information on the Internet.
The Follow-Up
Healthcare professionals have realized that the Internet and digital marketing are essential for preventive care and patient education.
Even though patients know what they need to do to stay healthy when they speak with their doctor, they often get caught up in everyday life and forget or lose sight of their treatment goals. In the United States, nearly one-third of the population has stopped taking their medications without telling their doctor, and 50% of medications for chronic conditions are not taken as prescribed. This, of course, hurts the health of patients. It is even estimated that it is the cause of about 10% of hospitalizations per year.
The Internet is increasingly used to help patients follow their treatments correctly. Unlike a doctor’s office, the Internet is an integral part of patients’ lives; he is always there to answer their questions and help them stay on track. As part of the fight to empower patients and fight misinformation, health services worldwide are increasingly present online.
Online services help patients track and find treatment; it even affects people we consider less comfortable with technology.
