Taking the Healthcare Industry to the Internet

Online, May 19, 2010 (Newswire.com) - The US boasts more than 5,000 hospitals, yet only 660 are active with web-based social media. That discrepancy seems trivial until you realize how many people are looking to connect and converse with businesses, especially healthcare practices, online. On Facebook alone, there are more than 400 million active users connecting with 1.5 million local businesses. "Web users of all ages are comfortable navigating Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. Now, they not only expect quick access to information about businesses, but to contact them easily and have an honest dialogue via these more conversational sites," says Jamie Verkamp, partner at (e)Merge. "Hospitals and networks that want to be successful need to start meeting the patient at this level."

That's why Kansas City-based (e)Merge is training healthcare leaders to effectively implement a social media presence. Starting this May, Verkamp will team up with social media expert Annie Sorensen to lead a four-part webinar series on social media utilization and how it can build a broad base of loyal customers and create a positive buzz for medical practices. "We show hospitals and clinics how to keep web users engaged and informed, while maintaining a high degree of professionalism. I think there is a stigma that a social media presence will negate professionalism, but it's just the opposite. A strong online presence shows a tech-savvy operation keen on catering to the changing needs of its patients," says Sorensen.

Verkamp says many healthcare organizations shy away from social media opportunities because they're afraid of HIPAA laws. So they've designed a course that teaches leaders to interact and educate via the web without compromising their HIPAA compliance. "Social media lets you have a stronger, constant connection with your patients and provides them a richer experience. Practices can no longer afford to turn their backs on new opportunities because they don't understand how to work within HIPAA's framework. It's easy, and the rewards are endless."

The four-part workshop begins June 2nd. For more information, contact (e)Merge at 877-362-6584 or www.emergewithus.com. (e)Merge is a medical practice growth consulting firm specializing in providing innovative, patient-centric marketing initiatives and medical mystery shopping services that enhance patient experiences to increase referrals. Programs are designed to strategically achieve sustained patient volume growth for medical practices and health organizations.