Your Checklist for communicating in a “Social World.”

Ok, so you’ve decided to answer a few questions to see where it gets you.  But you’re not sure how to go about it.  First of all, it’s important to begin with tips for good answers;

1.     Choose to answer a question that best relates to you and your area of specialties.

2.     Qualify the question.  Does the question allow you to provide a good answer?

3.     Keep it simple and friendly.  Use common language- not too much medical jargon.

4.     Choose to answer questions that are from patients nearest to your own practice location.  This increases the chances of converting them into your patients.

5.     It’s always important to be honest with patients. Perhaps you can’t completely understand the question because of the way it was explained or the language in which it was written.  Forum posts are usually written in a casual, off the top of one’s head, style of writing. If you feel that you shouldn’t answer because it’s not the right question for you, move on to the next. 

6.     Provide as much information as you would to a patient sitting opposite to you. Remember, your answer is competing with other doctors who can answer these same questions too.  If you want patients to take notice of your response and contact you for treatment, give advise that cannot be improved by another doctor.

7.     If you are unable to provide without a consultation, invite the patients to contact you for a free consultation. You will generate more patient inquiries by being friendly, approachable, and reassuring.

8.     Answer questions promptly. If your answer appears first, patients are more likely to remember your name.

9.     Try to engage the patient in conversation by asking leading questions or inviting them to contact you directly.

10.  Refer the patient to see more of your practice on your WhereismyDoctor.com profile.  There they can get detailed information about your practice with SEO rich content, photos, videos, and connect with you through a variety of port holes.

There are many fears associated to posting on forums by doctors. However, when performed properly there is no need for worry.  Here is a list of things that may keep you from crossing any ethical boundaries or upsetting the person who asked the question.

1.     Don’t provide a full consultation in your answer. 

2.     Don’t answer by using other patient cases as an example. 

3.     Don’t mention names or locations of other patients.

4.     Keep your private life separate. Keep the posts professional.

5.     Be aware that comments and pictures posted may be misinterpreted outside their original context and may not accurately reflect your opinions and real-life behavior.

 In this entire newsletter, we have tried to help simplify the complexities of communication for doctors in a “social world.” I hope that after reading this you are able to make a clear decision. We have certainly entered a new realm of communication as a human race and it’s no exception for the way doctors interact with their patients.  Are you ready to move forward, jump on the band wagon, and start for yourself?