4.01.2012

Doctor Reputation Management: Growing Issue Among Doctors

By Yolanda Lawrence


Online doctor reputation management has rapidly become the top concern for medical professionals. As per Harvard Business School Study on Reviews, Reputation, and Revenue, a one-star rating decrease can reduce revenues by virtually 10% for a business practice. 90% of patients and colleagues are now considering checking out review websites. A doctor's internet reputation plays a major role in acquiring new clients and preserving trust with existing patients and colleagues. Physicians need to manage their internet reputation by monitoring what is being said and controlling what's being seen over the Internet.

Many potential patients start with a Google search. Your name must be represented on the web in a manner that will drive potential patients to you and not push them away. A good reputation is a great asset for any medical practitioner. As a doctor your reputation is everything, your entire practice depends on it. You have worked persistently for long years to establish your reputable name. Your reputation is the driving force of your career. Many people find doctors primarily through references and research. If a potential patient experiences some type of ailment and they are not already seeing a specialist in that particular field the potential patient will take to reviews to help decide which physician to see.

You need to review notifications: You must realize potential patient protocol. Since potential new clients rely most heavily on reviews, know exactly what is being said about your practice on each search engine. It is of immense importance to constantly know who's saying what and why. It all boils down to reputation management. Reputation management involves maintaining a positive image on the web while combating any negative publicity. Your goal is to see to it that you are constantly best represented so that your practice will continue to thrive.

Be proactive by using organic SEO to circulating positive public relations and boot positive listings. Create positive, original material to be made present high on search engine result pages, as well. In that way, you can convert potential patients into patients. Doctors need to address the reviews: Be sure to let no comment go unnoticed. Offer valid rebuttals to the negative comments on the search engines. Explain yourself. If a potential patient sees that you are addressing issues head on they are more likely to trust you as their physician.

Doctor reputation management will help keep your internet reputation in tact. It is a powerful prescription against negative reviews regarding medical practice. Even though technology has paved the way for great advances in diagnosis and treatment, the unfortunate side effects of the electronic age is the damage a single former patient can do to the reputation and livelihood of a doctor or health professional. Doctors include online reputation management as part of their marketing strategy, recognizing that to attract new patients you need more than just a good bedside manner but a positive online reputation, too. It requires a combination of digital marketing, public relations, legal and search engine optimization (SEO) skills to promote, protect and defend your online image.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment