How many of us got into the habit of self-diagnosis when WebMD landed on our computer screens? Now, there are myriad ways to get information about all types of medical conditions on the Internet. It is still not recommended to self-diagnose, but you can obtain details about illnesses, diseases and other common ailments via the same mouse clicks that can find every type of good or service anywhere, any time.
Consumers have become experts at putting search engines to good use for just about anything. Gone are those "word of mouth" recommendations we all used to count on from friends and family. Now, that can include medical professionals as well. Internet users are turning to Social Media in addition to the search engines, for information about common forms of cancer, as well as more obscure illnesses and conditions. Medicine and health can be two of the most intimidating topics, and sometimes, we don't want to discuss them with our friends and family members. What we would rather do, is to find a "cure" for what ails us online. Medical marketing has become prominent, and many health professionals are turning to Social Media to inform the public about common medical and health topics. For example, many dentists now have Facebook pages in addition to their Web sites. Patients are invited to give testimonials on specific treatments, and YouTube videos are made to document amazing smile transformations. If you're looking to have more than just that cavity filled, there's a wealth of information about teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, dental implants - everything you need to know, and see, online. You can even try out the teeth of celebrities!
There's no doubt that the Web is now a source of reliable, medically vetted information. It's fun to play around with teeth and imagine ourselves with a completely different look, but we must remember to be responsible disseminators of information. Yes, that Web site and Social Media campaign are a sure-fire way to get people buzzing about exciting new treatments and technologies, but medical professionals must remember to be responsible.
When you hire a web designer, content writer or CMS professional to design your site and launch your Social Media campaign, make sure your information is truthful and accurate, and written in terms the average person can understand. Follow the lead of reliable information portals like WebMD, Yahoo Answers and ShareCare. Health, wellness and medical topics are important to millions of people, and the best way to get users to pay attention is to offer truthful, pertinent facts, written in simple, cogent language. A little SEO, never hurt, either; Google the terms relevant to the services you offer, and enlist the help of a professional to optimize your site, so it can realize its full potential.
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