The number of media outlets has not only expanded; audiences have fragmented. No longer can you expect a consumer’s rapt attention on a few networks, on a few magazines, or on their local newspaper. Consumer attention is valuable, and consumers know it. I daresay your readers understand their new empowerment more than any other market in health care. Marketing tactics have definitely changed, but marketing strategies must also change if healthcare vendors are to have any hope of persuading the empowered consumer.

Or did I misunderstand the definition of “EP”? To exclude those who work under the hospital umbrellas?

Many providers have jumped into the hospital employee relationship, for various reasons. Will they now jump ship?

Interesting stats on Hospitals in Social Media also listed here: http://www.greystone.net/wtn/Page.asp?PageID=WTN000018

I appreciate your candidness. Your insightful comment “I’m certain the poor physicians are as confused as ever about the benefits of EMRs. EMR technology has been available, in some form or other, for a good while. The percentage rate for adoptions is still in the teens. There must be multiple reasons for that.”

You are spot on. The doctors are poor after they purchase the technology that leaves them confused and their patients wanting face to face time without a computer terminal occupying their doctor’s attention.

Have you written to Blumenthal to tell him to keep menaingful use simple?

I’d be interested to hear more about Ford’s thoughts on blogs and the impact they have on healthcare IT marketing. Does he use them and what would it take for a blog to reach the big name advertisers?