E-Marketing for Healthcare

http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?id=1006530&src=article_head_sitesearch


I read this article about "Health Information on the Web" and I got interested with the research findings that from 2003-2008, there was an increase from 52% to 66% of adults looking for health information online. No wonder why all these patients are so well informed before they see their doctors in the clinic, they question the doctor's prescription, and patients get paranoid about the side effects from the medications that they are taking. In my opinion, there are advantages and disadvantages to having more information on the web for patients.

Advantages:
1) Patients could get access to patient teaching materials via WebMD especially when they have diabetes or hypercholesterolemia. Reinforcement with diet and exercise are necessary.
2) Patients are now well informed and they have access to credible sites that will tell them more about their diseases and treatments. Patients can think of questions that they could ask their doctors about their disease
3) Very good opportunity for Marketers to target their customers (patients and physicians) about pharmaceuticals, services and equipments. It's a great opportunity to advertise online.

Disadvantages:
1) There are a lot of websites that are not credible. Patients might be misinformed.
2) Patients might order their medications online from a very unrealiable resource.
3) Patients get paranoid about their disease and they will keep on bugging their doctors for answers.

You could probably think of more advantages and disadvantages. But do you think that information online and marketing or promotion of products via WebMD or other medical websites are helpful for patients?