50% of US Plastic Surgeons Use Social Media, Study Finds

A survey by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) found half of plastic surgeons utilise social media to connect with patients. Facebook and Twitter are proving the most popular social media platforms for connecting with patients. The Private Clinic of Harley Street is seeing a big rise in social media interactions. In 2013 we have seen our Twitter expand by nearly 200%. More and more of our team are investing in digital marketing and social media to provide patients and interested parties with industry information.

The Private Clinic and Social Media
The Private Clinic use Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube to help spread information that will be useful for anyone considering non-invasive, minimally invasive and surgical cosmetic and medical treatments and procedures. On our profiles and pages we post before and after shots, infographics, industry and celebrity-related news as well as advising people with tips and advice for their health and wellbeing when considering cosmetic treatments.
Patients are becoming more savvy and want to find answers to their questions quickly. Social media is a great tool for potential patients and we want to let them know we are providing honest, open advice and information readily available on social media to help them make the best decision possible. We want everyone to proceed safely and knowing as much as possible about their treatment or procedure.
The Pros and Cons of Social Media in the Aesthetic Industry
One of the biggest concern for those surveyed was the issue of being too accessible. When you put yourself out there on social media you need to respond to tweets and comments. Social media is a two-way street and has already redefined how we communicate generally but it is still in its infancy when it comes to business and healthcare for many places. When it is usually the realm of advisors and staff at clinics to field queries and answer them, now surgeons are being asked questions on social media and feel obliged to answer despite their busy schedule. That is why The Private Clinic is focusing on delivering our social media through a dedicated team with help from our doctors, nurses and surgeons whenever a question is asked.
Some doctors and surgeons have had bad experiences on social media. You risk being at the mercy of some unsavoury characters like one surgeon in Australia who was bombarded with messages from one person pretending to be lots of ‘people’ when the surgeon had reportedly never seen this person. Other clinics and medical professionals may have a tough time if they are associated with clinics that have been involved in bad practice. The PIP breast implant scandal exposed the darker side of the industry and those choosing to practice unethically and certain individuals may prefer to avoid social media.
Overall social media can be a force for good. With information more open than ever, it can often take just one social media check to see if a clinic has a good reputation. Of course reviews tend to attract the negative experiences so it is always important that people express caution when reading reviews. However social media can really help a clinic’s brand by letting people know it’s forward-thinking, capable, progressive and true to its word about being open and honest with patients.
The Private Clinic
We have over 30 years of experience treating patients for a range of cosmetic and medical issues with non-invasive, minimally invasive and surgical options: https://www.theprivateclinic.co.uk/