By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    How Not to Become a Victim of Medical Scams
    How Not to Become a Victim of Medical Scams
    December 22, 2021
    11 Ways You Can Care for Your Elder Family Members Health
    11 Ways You Can Care for Your Elder Family Members Health
    April 6, 2022
    How Can Brain Injury Lead To Dangerous Long-Term Effects?
    How Can Brain Injury Lead To Dangerous Long-Term Effects?
    August 30, 2022
    Latest News
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
    Chewing Matters More Than You Think: Why Proper Chewing Supports Better Health
    May 22, 2025
    Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
    May 30, 2025
    Choosing the Right Supplement Manufacturer for Your Brand
    May 1, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    How to Find a Qualified Doctor EXTENSION
    September 11, 2019
    eating on your hospital night shift
    Keep Refreshments Ready for Your Night Shift at the Hospital
    April 16, 2023
    Here’s What To Know And Expect About The Future Of Healthcare
    January 22, 2020
    Latest News
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
    The Backbone of Successful Trials: Clinical Data Management
    April 28, 2025
    Advancing Your Healthcare Career through Education and Specialization
    April 16, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Discovering the Value of Twitter at HIMSS 2013
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > eHealth > Social Media > Discovering the Value of Twitter at HIMSS 2013
Social Media

Discovering the Value of Twitter at HIMSS 2013

Melissa_Mathews
Last updated: March 13, 2013 8:00 am
Melissa_Mathews
Share
5 Min Read
Image
SHARE

ImageThe HIMSS conference last week was an exciting glimpse into the future of healthcare and healthcare technology. Fortunately, I was able to attend and witness the passion behind patient engagement and enthusiasm for innovative ideas.

ImageThe HIMSS conference last week was an exciting glimpse into the future of healthcare and healthcare technology. Fortunately, I was able to attend and witness the passion behind patient engagement and enthusiasm for innovative ideas.

This year, HIMSS had over 30,000 attendees. With a conference that large, it is nearly impossible to stay on top everything happening, but I routinely checked Twitter for the latest news. Whether it was learning about the New Orleans water contamination or a robot participating in the Harlem Shake, Twitter kept me on top of any breaking HIMSS news. In the overflow room during Bill Clinton’s speech, one could see tons of tiny glows from smartphone screens as people scrambled to update their Twitter accounts. Eric Topol, a keynote speaker and well-known cardiologist and researcher, even scolded the crowd for not being active on Twitter. It was a conversation piece; when others saw my tweets or a picture I posted, they felt compelled to talk to me more about social media.

While I could usually be found at the Fathom booth, discussing the importance of digital marketing for healthcare, I was able to attend a few HIMSS Twitter chats. Throughout these chats, it struck me that an underlying issue for healthcare technology and organizations is using Twitter to truly engage consumers and establish a unique voice within their industry.

More Read

Healthcare Digital Footprint
Why Should You Establish a Healthcare Digital Footprint?
Using Web Technology for Patient Referrals
Keywords Matter – Exploring the Importance of Keyword Usage In Your Healthcare Digital Marketing
3 Ways to Keep Patients Engaged During Long-Term Clinical Trials
Why Digital Marketing Is Your Best Bet for Recruiting Patients with Rare Conditions for Clinical Trials

During one of these Twitter chats, I discovered that only 21% of healthcare providers have a social media site. Social media, including Twitter, can be intimidating for a new healthcare technology company or an MD who would like to interact with patients more efficiently. With this in mind, here are the top five Twitter tips I overheard at HIMSS:

1) “Think like a patient.” It seems simple enough, but can difficult to implement. Write interesting posts that are relatable. We have all been patients, so tap into what you would like to hear from a healthcare professional on Twitter.

2) “If you have to choose between being consistent or good – be good.” Twitter guru Fred Trotter (@fredtrotter) is exactly right. Frequently, people ask how often they should tweet and how important is consistency. The truth is, don’t post on Twitter just because you usually post twice per day and haven’t posted yet that day. Only tweet when you have something valuable to say.

3) “Be filters for other people.” Fred Trotter also said this phrase, which could be an angle for your Twitter profile. The Internet moves entirely too quickly to always be the one “breaking” news, but adding insightful comments will help you differentiate your profile. There is also a surplus of information available on Twitter: Be the one that filters through this information and provides only what is valuable to a specific group of followers.

4) “Tweet pitch is the new elevator pitch.” This advice comes from blogger John Lynn (@techguy).When it comes to reaching out to the press, Twitter is a great option to foster a relationship. Bloggers at this meet-up all agreed that they would appreciate those who reached out to them through Twitter. It also shows creativity to fit your pitch in 140 characters or less.

5) “Just do it!” Stealing Nike’s tagline, Lynn encouraged everyone to not be afraid to post a tweet or blog post. Don’t overthink it. By getting your message out to a mass audience, people will give you feedback that can ultimately help you improve your writing and social media strategy.

Establishing a voice on Twitter can take time and may include some trial and error, but having this access to engage patients directly and on their own terms is invaluable. 

TAGGED:HIMSS 2013twitter
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Modern Teeth Whitening Technologies Used by Clinics in Ireland
Modern Teeth Whitening Technologies Used by Clinics in Ireland
Dental health
May 29, 2025
stress impact your health
The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
Health Wellness
May 22, 2025
chewing better for health
Chewing Matters More Than You Think: Why Proper Chewing Supports Better Health
Dental health Health
May 22, 2025
Do You Grind Your Teeth at Night? Here’s How Night Guards and TMJ Treatments Can Help
Do You Grind Your Teeth at Night? Here’s How Night Guards and TMJ Treatments Can Help
Dental health
May 21, 2025

You Might also Like

social media in hospitals
eHealthHospital AdministrationSocial Media

Top 50 Most Social Media-Friendly Hospitals for 2013

August 21, 2013

Musings on 2012 Health IT

January 1, 2012
Hospital AdministrationSocial Media

Three Prongs of a Successful Digital Physician Marketing Strategy

September 3, 2015

On “Empowering Patients in the Age of Genomic Medicine”

June 4, 2012
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?