An increasing number of rheumatologists are venturing onto the Internet and, specifically, social media sites. Practice consultants increasingly recommend updating websites, creating a Facebook page, and joining Twitter. Consultants, however, seldom mention that there are legal concerns associated with the Internet and social media for healthcare providers. While social media can be a beneficial marketing tool, it is important for rheumatologists to address the proper ways to use this outreach both inside and outside the workplace through a specific media policy.
Does Your Practice Have a Website?
More than half of medical practices in the United States with fewer than five physicians do not have websites. A website is an excellent and relatively inexpensive way to brand a medical practice.
When potential patients are looking for a physician in a particular specialty and in a specific location, many first turn to Internet search engines. Whether a potential patient is searching for terms such as “rheumatologist and Dallas,” or “Dr. Jack Smith, rheumatology, and Dallas,” you want your website to pop up and be viewed by the searcher. At a minimum, a practice website should include the four W’s:
Who (biographical information about the physicians employed by the practice);