They may have waited every month for the next issue of Health Digest, to get the info they have been seeking  an answer to a question they sent the editor a while back.

Fast forward to the present, and all that is done within one click.

With social media becoming more prevalent, it is increasingly critical for healthcare institutions to use it effectively to engage patients and consumers. By employing the right marketing and communication tactics, organizations can connect with the public online instead of reverting to traditional advertising.

So how is social media improving services and providing accurate medical information to patients?

— The purpose of social media is to facilitate communication and access to information. Many Healthcare organizations use social media platforms to share general health information and tips with consumers, such as flu shots, nutrition tips, cold prevention tips, and more. Not only that, but health organizations may utilize social media to provide updates on new technologies, introduce new doctors-in-practice,answer questions on various health topics and concerns, and deliver generic pre-and post-operative care information.

— Healthcare Institutions may benefit from social media to assess and evaluate their competitors' services and customer satisfaction by evaluating competitors social media presence.

— People now do not hesitate to share their honest reviews about their experiences on Twitter More often than any. Healthcare providers can benefit from this in getting immediate consumer feedback, such as understanding how patients react to medications and gaining consensus on new techniques, which allows for continuous quality improvements and adapting their practices to patient reactions.

— A healthcare institutions social media presence is essential because if it is strategically planned for and utilized, it positions the institution as a source of accurate information and a leader in its field of experience.

— During the spread of the COVID-19 virus globally, and with social distancing imposed in many countries, social media became the source of all information and up-to-the-minute updates. By using social media, hospitals and other health organizations can update their patients about hospital capacity, emergency room availability, and operation status. Social media is now one of the biggest resources of health info and consumers turn to it to find support and learn about similar conditions from others.

Additionally,healthcare institutions may use social media to reshare essential information shared by organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), Red Cross,and other global health organizations in times of crisis to benefit their audience and spread awareness.

With the speed at which social media is changing, it is essential to be an active player in this game, as it continues to evolve with promises of more transparency, engagement,and reach.  
So how do you envision social media’s impact on healthcare in the coming 10 years?