According to a survey by DoctorDirectory, a marketing solutions company aimed at healthcare professionals and the pharmaceutical industry, the use of online social communities has been steadily increasing over the last few years. The survey polled members of the medical community in order to gauge to what extent healthcare professionals are using online social services.
Those who participated in the survey were randomly selected from across the United States, totalling 671 physicians and allied healthcare professionals of all specialties. Apparently, fewer than 40 percent of those surveyed said that they've been practicing medicine for 15 years or more.
The findings showed that 88 percent of those who responded are involved in online social communities for professional purpose. The majority of those who do so said they log in to these sites about once per week. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are apparently more engaged than Doctors of Medicine (MDs) and Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs). Lastly, the 22 percent that are not involved in social communities most often cited "time constraints" and "privacy/security" as the reasons why.
Furthermore, the survey suggests that healthcare professionals are most interested in using social media as an educational tool as well as simply to stay connected with colleagues. Less importance is placed on staying in touch or connecting with patients or to discuss aspects of practice management, however.
DoctorDirectory provides healthcare professional with the opportunity to participate in Market Research as well as other programs that can help further the healthcare industry. The company's exclusive IncreaseRx marketing solution provides pharmaceutical brand teams with access to nearly all US pharmaceutical prescribers. DoctorDirectory celebrated its 15th anniversary as a company on October 13 last year. Last year at the Carolinas Healthcare Public Relations and Marketing Society (CHPRMS) Annual Fall Conference, the market research solutions provider showcased its services and how those services are easily accessible from DoctorDirectory's website, DoctorDirectory.com.
Edited by
Brooke Neuman
