PARKER - People use their computer or phone to research places to eat, places to visit and things to buy. Sandy Hensley is part of a growing group of people finding medical needs there as well.
"I get all my other life recommendations on Twitter so I think it makes sense to me to make connections with people who you really want to trust like your health care providers on there." Hensley said.
It's how she met Dr. Vandna Jerath. Jerath has a practice at Parker Adventist Hospital. She recognizes the social media trend and is building her business with it.
"There are a lot of people out there who have questions and we can have a broad reach over social media," she said.
Jerath has found that an extra hour and a half a week at her computer is a path to a lot of connections.
"It gives patients a direct access to me in a different way," she said.
Twitter, YouTube, Google Plus, and three Facebook accounts are all key parts of her Optima Women's Healthcare Practice.
"Social media has become really popular for people. It moves grassroots efforts, it helped get our president elected, it started a revolution in Egypt," Jerath said.
She says it only makes sense to use it for health care as well.
The entire staff is involved in social media and they point to growing number of patients as a result.
"As many as a third of my patients are coming from social media," Jerath said.
Hensley says her first appointment didn't feel like a first. She had already gotten to know Jerath over Twitter.
"We had interacted about places to eat and stuff going on around town. It made her a really real person," she said.
"It has really allowed me to show patients transparency and build credibility and build a bond with them before they even step in the door," Jerath said.
She expects more doctors will add technology connections to their care.
"I've actually be asked by colleagues and fellow physicians to help them out and get them started," she said.
Find out more at www.optimawomenshealthcare.com.
(KUSA-TV © 2011 Multimedia Holdings Corporation)
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