Healthcare reputation management and why it matters
Reputation is important not only for businesses in a specific locality but for doctors and healthcare in general
Reviews, word-of-mouth, and what others are saying about a particular entity come to mind when we talk about reputation. In a world where the internet rules, it's crucial to control your online reputation and understand how to respond to bad publicity and reviews. Many doctors are gaining notoriety as a result of their occupation, and they frequently hear what the public or their patients have to say online. Doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers are now routinely the subject of reviews on well-known websites like Google Business, WebMD, HealthGrades, Yelp, ZocDoc, Vitals, and others. You must be aware of all the strategies involved in effectively maintaining your internet reputation if you want to keep ahead of the competition and guarantee that your medical brand is completely protected. Negative reviews might cast doubt on your trustworthiness as a healthcare provider and damage your reputation in addition to lowering your bottom line ROI. It may surprise you to learn that some review websites even allow residents in training to have their profiles automatically filled out.
So how do you properly manage your online reputation?
The solution is both incredibly straightforward and a little difficult. Every doctor or healthcare company should start by conducting a quick google or bing search on their names. Google's first, second, and third pages should be searched through to see what information appears and what people are saying about you. Reviewing the websites mentioned above and checking for instances when your information is given wrongly should receive special attention. Imagine that even after moving to Miami Hospital after completing your residency at UCLA, your name is still listed as a doctor in Los Angeles. In this situation, your best option is to make an effort to correct this false information. Below we provided steps for you to follow:
Claim your online profiles with your name and correct your credentials and current address of practice, including the patients you see and insurance information.
Websites that list your information usually have contact information. Try to contact them and ask them to correct the information.
It’s a good idea to create or claim Google Business, and Bing Places Information to dominate the SERP (Search Engine Results Page). Once you claim them you will see that majority of the first-page space (usually on the right side) will be dominated by your claimed business page.
Your brand name may occasionally be confused with those of other doctors, which can be quite disruptive if the other doctor accumulates a string of unfavorable reviews. It is crucial to take ownership of your internet presence and assume full responsibility for it as a result. You must follow the same procedures as described above and keep up with comments, messages, and reviews when it comes to hospitals and healthcare facilities.
Always answer your reviews, pay attention to patients’ complaints online, and provide a diplomatic response that will show that you care. If you are interested, our scientific publication could be a great source to start your branding journey.
Scientissimum just unveiled a comprehensive "healthcare marketing & business development course" in which we instruct physicians and other healthcare professionals on how to manage their reputations, brands, social media presences, public relations campaigns, SEO, referral marketing, and more. This course could be an excellent complement for you if you are serious about building your brand and improving your reputation as a competent and sincere healthcare practitioner. You will receive a paper and digital certificate after completing the course demonstrating your mastery of these topics.
If you are in need of professional management reputation services, then contact us today, and let’s see how Scientissimum can help you with your reputation management needs.