Social media is more powerful than you think. It has become increasingly common for patients to find their physicians online. Creating a positive online presence can be one of the easiest ways to market your practice and make a lasting impression on patients. 

Consumers today pay a great deal of attention to what friends and family say on social media. And as noted in last week’s column, monitoring social media can have a positive impact on a medical practice’s bottom line. But are physicians adhering to social media guidelines? The answer is more startling than a simple “no.”

In today’s environment, a satisfied patient is an important part of a successful practice. It’s better for the feedback to come directly to you and not to the Internet, but negative comments on the web don’t have to define you. And if you address them with diplomacy and care, you could come out on top.