Social Media in Healthcare: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Everyone from the biggest celebrities to your mother-in-law is on social media. It’s become fully ingrained into how society functions, for better and for worse. You can also find the use of social media in the healthcare industry, which you wouldn’t normally associate it with. 

The use of websites such as Facebook and Instagram helps to enhance how businesses and organizations connect with people. However, not every healthcare provider uses it in a way that is appropriate or ethical. 

Here’s how social media has impacted the industry and how you can use it for the better good. 

Importance of Social Media in the Healthcare Industry

The role of social media in healthcare has changed vastly in the past decade alone. As these platforms have risen in popularity, so too has the need to communicate with your audience through them. It’s one of the best ways to get people to hear your message.

For example, you can use social media to enhance digital marketing for dentists. Not only can you respond to your clients for free, but most platforms have marketing features and ad spots you can purchase. 

Benefits of Social Media in Healthcare

One of the strengths of social media in healthcare is the ability to reach your audience in a way other than through phone calls, email, and physical mail. 

Your practice can use social media to control its image. The kind of posts and interactions you participate in can either make or break how people see you. 

Disseminate health information to your audience. People respond much better to health advice if it’s given out to everyone as opposed to directions from a physician. 

Social media is a great way to alert people of any changes or updates to your practice. Doing so can encourage people to visit for the first time or return for a check-up. 

Unethical Uses of Social Media in Healthcare

The intersection of social media and healthcare also brings its own share of ethical issues. 

To begin with, the provider-patient relationship may end up blurred through online communication. A physician should not be providing any kind of targeted medical advice outside of a medical setting. They also shouldn’t let a relationship with a patient affect their diagnosis or treatment. 

There’s also the issue of what kind of information can be shared online. A physician should not let a patient divulge their name, health insurance information, or specific details on their health. All of that creates a risk for a patient’s security and can create compliance violations. 

Tread Carefully Online

Despite the ethical issues, there’s no reason you shouldn’t leverage social media in the healthcare industry. It helps you stay connected with patients who may not see you for months at a time. You can also share general information more reliably with your audience who may otherwise ignore your emails. 

As with everything online, though, be careful. Whoever manages your social media accounts should know your legal limitations and obligations in advance.

Interested in learning more about using social media for your business? Check out our other related topics about health and business online.