Having a website is so last century.  Social media is the term for social networks, blogs, microblogs, podcasts and other user-generated mediums.  This is the new era with the consumer having control over their destiny.  The possibilities are endless.

I would proclaim the Mayo Clinic as the health leader in social media.  Mayo started with a podcast and was surprised when listeners reached 76,000 in the first month.  Mayo has since added a facebook page with 3,000 friends, A YouTube channel with Mayo doctors discussing health diseases and treatments, and now a health blog for consumers and employees.  This is the new world of Health 2.0, social media style.  But what is really amazing is that Mayo implemented all of its social media for less than $1,500.  Yes, $1,500 is the correct amount, no typos here.  Where else can you get this amount of exposure of your brand to targeted health searchers for that cost?

This Health 2.0 experience is just beginning as the possibilities are endless.  The Centers for Disease Control, CIGNA Cotrporation and Partners Healthcare System have a virtual experience within the virtual game Second Life.  The virtual experiences are pilots to study consumer behavior and to test scenarios.  And don’t forget the physicians.  They have exclusive social media sites like Sermo and Medscape to share information through forums.  Now, mental health is a part of social media as RealMentalHealth.com allows patients to come together to chat, blog and discuss their illnesses and to support each other online.

The moral of the story is that social media is a great way to make the health industry better as more information sharing brings better solutions to the forefront.  In a time so challenging to the health industry, you should see what social media can do to make your product and services better.

Comments welcome.

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