Why Patients Are Googling You
Patients Google more than just symptoms. According to a new study, they research doctors and procedures to help them make medical decisions.
Manhattan Research surveyed 5,210 adults who use the Internet for healthcare information and found that 54 percent go online to choose doctors and to decide which services they might need.
“Once the Affordable Care Act takes effect at the beginning of next year, millions of patients will be seeking out a new doctor online.”More than half of those patients who have been diagnosed with chronic illness for at least a year sought out treatment information online. And more strikingly, 20 percent of patients choose a primary care physician based on what they read online.
Google Your Name Before Your Patients Do
Most patients begin the quest for healthcare information on search engines like Google and Bing, so it’s more important than ever for doctors to manage their e-presence. And once the Affordable Care Act takes effect at the beginning of next year, millions of patients will be seeking out a new doctor – some for the first time.
In an article by American Medical News, Howard Luks, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon, said his patients frequently tell him they found him because of what they read on his website.
“People want to trust you as a person,” said Luks to American Medical News. “They are going to pick you over the best hospital in the country because of the way you humanize your existence and your presence using tools like YouTube or Vimeo or a simple Web cam.”
How to Beef Up Your Online Presence
Here’s what you can do to improve search rankings and reel in new patients:
- Manage listings on ratings sites that appear at the top of search results. Make sure the name, address, phone number, website URL and practice information are all current.
- Use social media to boost search rankings, and to stay in touch with current patients and extend reach to new ones. Patients use Facebook and Twitter every day. Read more about how eye care practices can use social media to market their businesses.
- Keep your website up-to-date. Blog posts and news stories are easy ways to maintain a strong Google presence that makes it easier for patients to find you online.
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Important Changes to Tonometer Disinfecting Procedure
To help curb the risk of transmitted diseases, Haag-Streit International has revised the recommended procedure for cleaning and disinfecting Goldmann tonometer prisms.
Here’s what’s new:
- Clinicians should wear disposable gloves throughout the cleaning process.
- We recommend the use of a Desinset plastic tray during cleaning and disinfecting.
- Updates to the list of suitable disinfectants.
Tonosafe Disposable Prisms: Safer and Faster
But if you don’t want to spend additional time and money on disinfecting reusable prisms, switch to Tonosafe disposable prisms. It’s the safest way to prevent the spread of diseases at your practice.
A 2011 study at the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System found virtually no accuracy difference in readings from disposable and reusable prisms (including patients with extreme IOP). Since the results of the study, the healthcare system began to phase out reusable prisms for Tonosafe disaposables.
Learn more about Tonosafe disposable prisms.
