Patients are no longer only interested in the knowledge and reputation of an expert professional, but also in the experiences and stories shared by other users.
The most common health problems , the less common ones, the medications that have been prescribed, the treatments that have been recommended… But many other factors are also decisive when it comes to a professional becoming the choice of an ePatient.
The main criteria to consider vary between:
- If the staff at the doctor's office or medical center are friendly and helpful .
- If the waiting times are reasonable.
- If the doctor communicates in a friendly , warm, or approachable manner.
- If professionalism is conveyed in the consultation and in the facilities .
When someone needs to go to a medical appointment of any kind, they want to do it as quickly as possible . In this sense, the ease with which the internet allows patients to schedule appointments anytime, anywhere is the main reason why more and more patients are choosing this option. Through a website, they can choose a doctor based on criteria such as availability, quality of care as perceived by other patients, proximity, punctuality, and so on.
But aside from punctuality , friendliness is an important criterion for patients. Recommendations from other users have been rising in the rankings, becoming key factors in the choice of new patients. Most patients say they find it very helpful to know what other patients think of a doctor or clinic.
Furthermore, the educational initiatives that patients have begun to implement have led them to learn through social media and patient and doctor associations . They have created forums and write blog posts about their experiences and opinions . The figure of the "Patient 2.0" is a reality today, and they have become a key player and responsible for their own health.
It is true that the medical professional will always decide the appropriate treatment for each person, but the patient will always be informed of their symptoms, their medication, and the different options that exist to access the most appropriate treatment.
A more informed patient is a positive thing for any doctor. But the internet doesn't just help patients get diagnosed more easily and access quality information. Professionals also have this opportunity. They can and should use the internet as a key tool to update their experience and skills , to connect with patients, to learn about their background, their goals as a doctor, the medical topics of interest they consider relevant to share with their patients, and what they are capable of providing in their practice. All of this can be done through close, open, and engaging digital communication that inspires and conveys trust and confidence.
The internet and mobile devices are changing how people communicate in all areas. In the world of doctor-patient communication, enormous possibilities are opening up, such as online consultations and follow-up appointments. But they are also opening a way for doctors to create a direct and trusting channel of communication with their patients —a channel that will undoubtedly grow the medical community and strengthen the doctor-patient relationship.
