With social media rapidly picking up, we have all the tips that will help you when it comes to posting online. This blog goes over tips such as adhering to patient privacy laws, developing a content strategy, and engaging with followers in a professional and informative manner, which can help medical clinics establish a positive online presence and build stronger relationships with patients.
No one should discount the power that social media has. As far back as 2011, Pew Research published findings showing 74% of adults in the U.S. were using the internet to research health-related topics. More recently, the statistics say that 84% of patients trust online reviews over even a referral from a family member. An even higher number (90%) of 18 to 24-year-olds say they trust medical information shared on social media. For these reasons, community healthcare providers should use social media to engage patients and build trust in their brand. The problem is that running a social media account for a busy FQHC can be challenging. Here are four important tips to keep in mind when managing your clinic’s social media account.
1. Follow HIPAA Guidelines
You must adhere to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guidelines as a healthcare provider. These requirements mean you must be highly cautious about the information you share on social media. Additionally, you should avoid posting personal information about patients, including medical histories and names and addresses. Before posting anything online, ensure you’ve obtained the necessary consent from your patients.
2. Create Engaging Content
To keep current and potential patients engaged and interested, you should concentrate on creating high-quality content relevant to their interests. This effort can include sharing health tips, news updates, and informative articles. Additionally, you can post photos and videos of your clinic, staff, and patients to give followers an inside look into your FQHC. You can also use social media to promote events at your facility, including vaccine clinics or educational events.
3. Interact and Respond to Feedback
One of the most significant benefits of social media is that it allows you to communicate directly with your patients. You can use social media to respond to their questions, comments, and concerns. Make sure that you are regularly monitoring your social media accounts so that you can quickly respond to any feedback that you receive. Additionally, you should take the time to thank patients who leave positive reviews and address any negative feedback professionally, promptly, and constructively.
4. Use Analytics
Social media campaigns are more effective if you measure the results and change your approach. This effort requires analyzing the metrics of your efforts to gauge your success. Following analytics can include tracking the number of followers per post as well as likes, comments, and shares. Additionally, analytics are helpful in determining the best times to post, the most popular types of content, and the demographics of your followers. Analyzing the metrics allows you to make more data-driven decisions about your social media strategies and optimize patient engagement with your brand.
Running a social media campaign for your FQHC is a valuable way to connect with patients and build trust in the community. By following these four tips, you can use social media as a force for good to educate, inform, and build bonds with the community members you serve.
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