The use of social media has spread like wildfire and nearly every company in every industry is using some form of it to better communicate with consumers, whether they are announcing new products or resolving customer complaints. This is no different in the plastic surgery industry, as patients can research a practice, talk with their surgeons before a consultation, see how their staff connects with their audience and better express themselves through social media.
Research the Procedures of a Plastic Surgery Practice
People have always been able to use the internet to research companies for information about their practices and operations. However, social media has brought this information to the forefront in such a way that it has become more easily accessible to consumers. In the plastic surgery industry, potential patients can simply go to the social media page of a practice (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) and find out what the practice has been doing recently. This may include new plastic surgeries they have implemented, new policies for patient care and insight into advanced techniques they plan to use in the future. Using social media like this has become one of the best strategies to market plastic surgery.
Communicate with a Practice before Scheduling a Consultation
While researching a plastic surgery practice will help a potential patient decide if the practice is suitable for their needs, being able to communicate with the doctors and staff before a consultation gives them even more insight in how they will be cared for. Before scheduling an in-office visit for a consultation, people considering plastic surgery can speak directly to the practice through social media to get more information about what to expect. While these details can usually be found on the practice’s website or social media page, potential patients are more likely to choose a practice that goes out of its way to make them feel important by personally answering their questions.
Connecting with Patients to Improve Relationships
Plastic surgeons and their staff are now able to connect with patients through social media to improve the doctor-patient relationship. Using networks like Facebook and Twitter, as well as email, gives people a more convenient and comfortable way to communicate with the practice. Patients can better express positive and negative feedback or their concerns, and the staff can respond to the feedback as they see fit and allay any concerns a patient may have. Improving the relationship between the doctor and patient builds on the practice’s reputation, and a good reputation will result in more patients, which will make their business grow.
Social media has opened a whole new world of communication and ease of access to information for the plastic surgery industry. These surgeries have, in the past, been considered somewhat taboo. However, social media has allowed the industry to open up a new perspective for patients who aren’t confident in their own skin or have medical conditions that can be corrected through plastic surgery. More people now see that it’s not so bad and safer than ever.