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.”

It is important for all for hospitals, large group practices, and health care facilities to be up-to-date on social media.

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.