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Word of mouse: Protecting your online reputation
Imagine my colleague’s surprise when a patient was reluctant to undergo a colonoscopy at our endoscopy center based on a total of three online reviews, which were all negative. Patients are researching their medical conditions, doctors and health-care facilities on the Internet. In 2008, a Wall Street Journal/Harris Interactive study found that most people are interested in participating in and using web-based consumer rating tools to rate their doctors.
Physicians must be cognizant of their online professional reputation. AMA and the American College of Physicians both have position statements related to social media. Both position statements recommend that physicians should periodically assess the accuracy of their personal and professional information available online. Recently, Dr. Kevin Pho published an entire book on this subject: "Establishing, Managing, and Protecting Your Online Reputation: A Social Media Guide for Physicians and Medical Practices."
A simple first way to assess your online presence is to Google yourself. In addition, Google has a function known as Google Alerts that are e-mail updates of the latest relevant Google search results based on your query. For example, I have created Google Alerts for my name and practice. Additionally, third-party online reputation management companies provide monitoring services. Unflattering reviews, even if inaccurate, cannot be easily removed because of free speech protections and are difficult to respond to online because of privacy concerns. Therefore, savvy physicians and online reputation management companies use the strategy of search engine optimization. Physicians or reputation management companies encourage patients with positive reviews to post their experiences so that negative reviews will be "pushed down" on search results.
A positive online presence reassures established patients and attracts new patients to your practice. Physicians and medical practices should monitor and manage their online reputation.
Imagine my colleague’s surprise when a patient was reluctant to undergo a colonoscopy at our endoscopy center based on a total of three online reviews, which were all negative. Patients are researching their medical conditions, doctors and health-care facilities on the Internet. In 2008, a Wall Street Journal/Harris Interactive study found that most people are interested in participating in and using web-based consumer rating tools to rate their doctors.
Physicians must be cognizant of their online professional reputation. AMA and the American College of Physicians both have position statements related to social media. Both position statements recommend that physicians should periodically assess the accuracy of their personal and professional information available online. Recently, Dr. Kevin Pho published an entire book on this subject: "Establishing, Managing, and Protecting Your Online Reputation: A Social Media Guide for Physicians and Medical Practices."
A simple first way to assess your online presence is to Google yourself. In addition, Google has a function known as Google Alerts that are e-mail updates of the latest relevant Google search results based on your query. For example, I have created Google Alerts for my name and practice. Additionally, third-party online reputation management companies provide monitoring services. Unflattering reviews, even if inaccurate, cannot be easily removed because of free speech protections and are difficult to respond to online because of privacy concerns. Therefore, savvy physicians and online reputation management companies use the strategy of search engine optimization. Physicians or reputation management companies encourage patients with positive reviews to post their experiences so that negative reviews will be "pushed down" on search results.
A positive online presence reassures established patients and attracts new patients to your practice. Physicians and medical practices should monitor and manage their online reputation.
Imagine my colleague’s surprise when a patient was reluctant to undergo a colonoscopy at our endoscopy center based on a total of three online reviews, which were all negative. Patients are researching their medical conditions, doctors and health-care facilities on the Internet. In 2008, a Wall Street Journal/Harris Interactive study found that most people are interested in participating in and using web-based consumer rating tools to rate their doctors.
Physicians must be cognizant of their online professional reputation. AMA and the American College of Physicians both have position statements related to social media. Both position statements recommend that physicians should periodically assess the accuracy of their personal and professional information available online. Recently, Dr. Kevin Pho published an entire book on this subject: "Establishing, Managing, and Protecting Your Online Reputation: A Social Media Guide for Physicians and Medical Practices."
A simple first way to assess your online presence is to Google yourself. In addition, Google has a function known as Google Alerts that are e-mail updates of the latest relevant Google search results based on your query. For example, I have created Google Alerts for my name and practice. Additionally, third-party online reputation management companies provide monitoring services. Unflattering reviews, even if inaccurate, cannot be easily removed because of free speech protections and are difficult to respond to online because of privacy concerns. Therefore, savvy physicians and online reputation management companies use the strategy of search engine optimization. Physicians or reputation management companies encourage patients with positive reviews to post their experiences so that negative reviews will be "pushed down" on search results.
A positive online presence reassures established patients and attracts new patients to your practice. Physicians and medical practices should monitor and manage their online reputation.
