For a long time, healthcare professionals have realised that their industry is evolving with technology. Patients are using the internet for searching illness symptoms, doctors and more.
Over the past few months, patients and healthcare providers have had to rapidly adopt online services to deal with strained hospital capacity and risk of infection. More and more doctors are treating a patient via telemedicine and more and more patients are willing to try telehealth services due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In addition, with social distancing and lockdown orders in place, and with more people dealing with anxiety and depression as a result, remote mental healthcare has become a necessity. The crisis could have lingering effects on mental health even once social distancing orders are lifted, ensuring that these services will still be needed.
The IT infrastructure already exists and healthcare providers have the opportunity to lower costs and make care more accessible in rural and underserved areas. In addition, (and on reflection), many healthcare professionals have found that many visits “are either unnecessary or could be handled safely and effectively over the phone or video".
The Rise Of Teledoc
Teladoc, reported 50% week-over-week growth in services the week after stay-at-home orders were implemented across the US. They are optimistic that increased demand under Covid-19 will translate to long-term growth in the space, as many of its first-time users become repeat visitors.
Tips For Small Business Healthcare Providers
Today’s patients who on one hand do not any more see doctors as single sources of truth, question diagnoses and want to be treated as equals, and on the other hand expect successful medical care as a given. Therefore, you must build your patients’ trust online first.
Design and build a new responsive website.
Identify the telehealth and/or teletherapy services that you can offer remotely.
Make your prescription services available for purchase online via e-commerce.
Communicate a clear human element to your healthcare services via social media.
If you're not keen on advertising, use organic search marketing (SEO).