The Health Care Social Media List (HCSML) has found a new home with The Mayo Clinic Center for Social Media (MCCSM).
What is the HCSML? It’s simply a list of hospital organizations which advocate/support social media.
The list is unique and the objectives of the MCCSM are inspiring.
Over 1500 Hospitals Use Social Media
The HCSML lists hospitals by state using various social media platforms including; YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, 4Square and/or a blog.
The list has been renamed from HSNL (Hospital Social Networking List). The list was compiled manually by the originator of the list, Ed Bennet, to offer those organizations interested in social platforms a resource for connecting with each other. Over the past four years, the list has grown successfully.
The new home hopes to make the list more autonomous by allowing users (key contacts within the organization) to manage their own listing.
Sublists of HCSML to Include Medical Practices
The MCCSM hopes to increase usage and awareness of social platforms within the Mayo Clinic and beyond. The center hopes to have sublists for international organizations, scientific associations, state hospital associations … and medical practices!
For now, inclusion are limited to U.S. hospital organizations.
What Does This Mean?
The endorsement of social media by hospital organizations is a clear message for your medical practice. Social media is a recognized method for developing real relationships and communicating between doctors, patients …and large organizations such as hospitals.
The timing is perfect for you to integrate your practice into the digital world. While a hospital’s needs (reaching out to other organizations, doctor groups associations and patients) may be different than those of a private practice (reaching out to patients and peers), both hospitals and doctors need to effectively communicate and to form relationships.
This should energize those of you interested in developing a website/blog and maintaining its use. Slowly integrate social media into your practice. There’s a bigger initiative expecting you to do so!
Randall V. Wong, M.D.
Medical Website Optimization
www.MedicalMarketingEnterprises.com