Prognosis Negative on Social Media Adoption in Healthcare

Internet users say industry too slow in adopting Web 2.0 applications

SILVER SPRING, MD (March 3, 2009) – Eight out of every 10 Internet users have searched, researched or otherwise consulted the Internet for questions about their health. According to THINK-Health’s iHealthReports for the California Healthcare Foundation, as of January 2008, the Internet rivaled physicians as the leading source of health information.

Despite the obvious demand for healthcare information and representation of the healthcare industry in social media channels, a recent survey conducted by Strategic Communications Group, Inc. (Strategic), a nationally recognized, award-winning public relations agency, found that 96 percent of respondents said the industry is not using social media enough to communicate, share information and engage with patients.

Ninety-nine percent of the respondents to the survey, which was conducted online and distributed via social networks, frequently used social media, including blogs, social networks and online communities, to discuss and research a wide variety of healthcare topics ranging from personal health information, to public health policy and market trends.

“There has been, and will continue to be a significant shift in where people go for trusted information about their personal health and information about the healthcare industry,” said Marc Hausman, CEO of Strategic. “Our survey found that despite the shift in consumer behavior, the healthcare industry has been slow to utilize new Web 2.0 applications and social media to enhance patient engagement.”

About Strategic Communications Group
Strategic Communications Group, Inc. (Strategic) is a nationally recognized, award-winning public relations firm that provides integrated communications, social media and business development services to help its clients increase sales, profitability, and corporate and product valuation. Strategic has worked with successful, growth-oriented companies such as BearingPoint (OTC BB: BGPT.OB), BT Americas (NYSE: BT), Callis Communications, GovDelivery, Integral Systems (NASDAQ: ISYS), Lagan Technologies, Microsoft Corporation (NasdaqGS: MSFT), NeuStar (NYSE: NSR), Pitney Bowes Management Services (NYSE: PBI), Senforce Technologies, Stanley, Inc. (NYSE: SXE), TANDBERG (TDG), Tellabs (NASDAQ: TLAB), Zebra Technologies Card Systems Division (NASDAQ: ZBRA), among others. For more information about the agency’s public relations capabilities and the Strategic Network of Relationships®, visit http://www.gotostrategic.com.

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