I am not sure about you, but I have found social media an important tool for doing my job. This is evidenced in our latest special report, “Social Media in Healthcare: The Modern Link to Effective Patient Engagement” that has just been released.

My goal, as I thought about the focus and scope of the report, was to develop an easy-to-use resource that case managers and other members of the care coordination team could use to better understand how social media can be used in their practice as well as their professional lives.

As I reached out to various thought leaders in the social media world, I was pleased to find so many willing to share their expertise as they realized the importance that case managers bring to the patient. All understood the role and saw this as an important opportunity to share information with professionals on the frontlines who are responsible for educating, empowering and working directly with the consumer.

They also saw the need to get information out to professionals so they could ensure they are part of the conversation as consumers search for information and use social media to connect with others to better understand their conditions and to network with others in order to find resources, tools and best practices they can use to meet the needs of the patient.

The report explains the various social media sites and how to best use them, as well as how to protect confidentiality and privacy when using social media.

The special report also provides professionals who work independently with a primer that explains in plain language how best to use social media to promote themselves, their companies and the services they provide. This is so important, as case management still is not widely understood by the consumer, our legislative representatives and other healthcare professionals. Through social media, professionals can share stories and best practices to a wide audience and provide the opportunity to share outcomes that demonstrate the work being done to improve access to care, ensure best practices and contain escalating healthcare costs.

I hope you will take the time to download the report and see how the information can be used in your practice as well as for your organization. In addition, the report is approved for four contact hours for nurses, social workers, case managers and disability specialists. As a special bonus for those reading this e-editorial, I would like to extend our charter rate for this report. Visit our bookstore and take 15 percent off the list price.

Enjoy the report and if you have ideas for additional topics you would like to see in upcoming special reports please let me know.

Have a great week! 
 

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