Social media - such a powerful tool!
You probably already know that I am a strong fan of social media. I have discussed the power of social media, and potential uses within healthcare and other sectors, here at the blog several times before (see for instance my blog posts from Aug 24 and April 5 this year, and Nov 24 from last year).
I like to draw your attention to two very good stories about the use of social media in healthcare related issues discussed at one of my favorite CSR on-line newsletter csr-i-praktiken.se. The article in the CSR news letter is called “Social media gives a voice to cancer patients” and presents one US example and one Swedish example. Two strong cases showing the power of social media. Read it and get inspired!
And when you are on-line, take the opportunity to also review two other social media favorite cases of mine:
- Dizza Tobak: Check out any of these uploaded anti-tobacco contributions and get inspired!
I nevertheless feel somewhat sorry… The use of social media in the healthcare sector is still extremely pre-mature and to be honest very rare. We still have so much to learn - and that holds true for both industry, health care providers, patient advocacy groups, our agencies, and many other stakeholders…
Pfizers miljö- och ansvarsblogg kommer att ta upp aktiviteter som vi själva gör inom ramen för det vi kallar ”ansvarsfullt företagande” men som i den vardagliga debatten ofta benämns CSR. Jag som bloggar heter Bengt Mattson och arbetar som CSR- och miljöchef på Pfizer AB. 
You cite some good examples. What would you design for pharma if you could create the ideal social media program? There’s a patchwork of examples from the U.S., but I welcome your thoughts on what would work in Sweden. I sense we’re at a tipping point generationally when patients will be demanding a social media component in their health care.
Your are absolutely right regarding the “generational tipping point”. Younger patients are definitely more willing to share information on their illnesses and experiences from health care via social media tools. I am expecting to see more and more tools where patients discuss directly with one another about cure and treatments, and they will most likely also rate both products as well as physicians and clinics. There are of course both good things and bad things with such a development. Interactivity is great, but it may also be a source for incorrect conclusions and recommendations. Ideally there would be “health care expertise” participating in the discussions, but how that should be possible is hard to say. Potentially, patient advocacy groups can fill a very important task here…