Social media has bridged the distance between the company and the customer. It gives human touch to the marketing efforts and establishes a link with the market which would otherwise be very difficult through conventional modes of marketing. Healthcare industry is also making headway into the social marketing. Healthcare industry are trying to integrate it with social channels in such a way that it would be possible now for the users to interact with medical professionals and experts, in the same way they interact with their friends.

Although there are certain bottlenecks here too, as healthcare industry is a little regulated and a cautious approach is needed because of its sensitive nature. Unlike finance industry which is already crowded with terrific competition, healthcare industry is a little less exposed to such open forums. That is the reason it will take some time before healthcare professionals can be made to be active on social media. However the enthusiasm showed by the people is highly encouraging. It will help them prepare to deal with health related issues, connect with people with similar symptoms and share their experience with others.

This technology will definitely empower patients. Different healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, surgeons and experts would be able to interact with the concerned people to share the information. The nature of conversations thus held would be diversified but it will surely help foster a better relationship between the medics and the common people. It should be made clear that social media cannot replace traditional visits and consultation, but it will definitely help minimize cost and time to make unnecessary visits and waiting in queues for brief follow ups and to have a pre-consultation exchange of information. It may sound a little unusual as every innovation does, but it is highly anticipated and desired by the populace and it will become a very popular activity on net in the near future.