Video is the way to go for hospitals to engage community, staff

As we move into this still-new 2012, the health care industry has made great strides in actively engaging in social media, reports Jason Boies of Radian6 in Ragan’s Health Care Communication News. With more hospitals entering the social media realm, we have been able to gain some insight into what works and what doesn’t. What works? According to a recent survey conducted by Acsys Interactive, a third of hospital marketers said that online video was the most effective social media platform for their facilities.

YouTube is the world’s second largest search engine, which makes video an extremely effective medium for driving awareness of your healthcare facility. Video is often more engaging than words and is increasingly easy to create with today’s technology. Video content is also a great way to jump to the top of Google search pages. Plus, they are sharable across various social platforms, making them a valuable addition to any hospital or healthcare system’s social media presence.

What content can you share?

1. Sharing patient stories : Let’s face it; everybody loves a feel-good story. Think about adding uplifting patient testimonials to your video strategy. And of course, be sure to keep HIPAA in mind when approaching patients.
2. Introduce your staff: Offer up a quick introduction to some of your facilities’ health care professionals. Patients will enjoy seeing the people behind your hospital’s name. It begins the process of building patient trust and rapport, humanizing your brand in the minds of your community.
3. Educating your community: Consider sharing footage of complex surgeries, sharing general health information and answers to frequently asked questions.
4. Encourage volunteering: One hospital has made unique use of their video channel to promote volunteering by their local community. What hospital couldn’t benefit from having more volunteers?

How can you measure success? Click here to read more at Ragan’s Health Care Communication News.

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Category: Industry News and Trends