A suitable digital presence has always been a key element of an integrated marketing strategy, and the recent worldwide health crisis provides a compelling example of how a digital presence can be a valuable resource to all medical practitioners.
Digital solutions can often be under-estimated within the private sector of the medical industry for their flexibility and availability as a resource centre and information portal.
Access to information from trusted sources has become part of an expectation with consumer’s today. As a real time example, COVID-19 has already had significant impacts on our everyday way of life as well as significant impacts to the health system – and so it serves as an example of how a suitable digital presence can work to your practice and your patient’s benefit.
GP Practices
While there is a landslide of information in the media, your patient will seek you out as their trusted health provider for help, diagnosis and treatment. As their GP, you are a dependable and reliable source of care and advice, not a media channel or a faceless government bureau. Today’s rapid access to up-to-date information has resulted in general alarm and uncertainty in the community with GPs as the first point of contact.
This has resulted in:
• An influx of patients (including the worried well) about whether they have contracted the virus and filling waiting rooms.
• An increased attendance of general coughs and colds due to patients being told not to attend work and requiring medical certificates.
How can a strong digital presence assist?
Website and Social Media
• Resource and information portal to prevent unnecessary alarm and to reduce anxiety.
• Ability to respond quickly with important patient/practice communication (within a few minutes with a good CMS) as and when needed.
• Allows for online bookings.
• Can have translation buttons for different languages present at the practice.
• Helps to manage patients through tele-consult process as per COVID-19 guidelines.
• Online prescription ordering.
• Online medical certificates.
• Reduces unnecessary load on practitioners and staff
Specialist Practices
Specialist practices are being affected in different ways e.g. Physicians with chronically ill patients have other considerations based around ongoing patient care with regards to monitoring of conditions and medication management.
Website and Social Media
• Resource and information portal to prevent unnecessary alarm and to reduce anxiety.
• Allows potential patients to search for conditions and research treatment options.
• Can link to other websites of authority to provide further information.
• Assists GP load through patient direct referral (more suitable due to COVID-19).
A suitably designed digital presence can be a valuable resource and provide a significant aid in maintaining patient care and communication. It can also assist in mitigating potential negative impacts on your medical business and can be easily adapted and changed to meet the current needs of patients, updated health directives or legislative requirements.
Does your medical business need to improve its digital presence? CJU’s team of marketers are digital experts working exclusively in the medical industry. Call us to arrange for a complimentary consultation and an individualised solution designed to meet your needs – 1300 941 250.
