Our weekly #KareoChat has been focused on independent practices and patient engagement. Our topics have included practice marketing, improving healthcare from the patient’s perspective and telemedicine parity. Thank you to our hosts for moderating the insightful conversations. Check out the highlights below:

Practice Marketing in Modern Times – the Technology and Techniques

Host: Kat Quinn, MBA HIT @DPCNavigator

It’s no secret: marketing is a must for small practices! Far from being too “sales-y,” these days marketing is one of the best ways to develop a meaningful relationship with your patients. It is also a surefire way to educate your community not only about issues related to health, but about the value added services your practice offers. From creating fresh content to properly utilizing social media platforms, this #KareoChat saw host Kat Quinn and attendees offer her best practices!

Social media is certainly a focal point these days. What are the best ways to engage your private practice on social?

Q1: Best ways to engage private practice on social media is to share great content, engage in real-time, RT, like, reply others. #KareoChat https://t.co/qgDSf93nL0

— Kat Quinn, MBA HIT (@DPCNavigator) October 12, 2017

A1 Some private practices just post links & self-serve. Engagement's a relationship. Share w/, not at your intended audience #KareoChat

— ShereeseM, MS/MBA (@ShereesePubHlth) October 12, 2017

Can social media management platforms like Hootsuite boost your brand and followers?

A2: Use @hootsuite & @buffer to boost brand & followers but don't forget to engage in real-time daily, e.g. @HConomics #KareoChat #hcldr https://t.co/iFbtlV4wRX

— Kat Quinn, MBA HIT (@DPCNavigator) October 12, 2017

Establish a sustainable posting schedule re highest priority subject & stick to it. Even if it is only once a day or once a week. #kareochat https://t.co/NacO4hoFsc

— Chuck Webster MDMSMS (@wareFLO) October 12, 2017

What about the best ways to educate patients about prices and value-added services offered within a private practice?

A5: Best ways to educate patients about pricing/value-added services is videos, blogs, PRs, online & traditional marketing #KareoChat #DPC https://t.co/WehoHOkbR1

— Kat Quinn, MBA HIT (@DPCNavigator) October 12, 2017

After this #KareoChat, how can you not feel invigorated to get your practice “out there” and start engaging with and educating your community? Thanks, Kat, for your invaluable advice!

Using Research, Education and Advocacy to Improve Healthcare From a #PatientsPerspective

Host: CP Nerve Center @cpnervecenter  

How can we use research, education and advocacy to improve healthcare from a patients perspective? This is what we sought to learn from each other during this #KareoChat. Patients can have very different definitions of what healthcare “success” looks than their physicians. Understanding those differences and working to bridge the gap is important as you grow your practice, especially if your aim is to be a value-driven organization. Thanks to the ladies of CP Nerve Center for leading the way in this #KareoChat

What are some ways healthcare differs from the patient perspective vs. the physician or nurse perspective? 

A1 as a nurse, my workflow was mostly about time management. As a Pt It's about care & comfort. #KareoChat

— CP Nerve Center (@Cpnervecenter) October 19, 2017

A1: All different. Movement towards shared decision making, patient-centered care will direct efforts to what patients value. #kareochat

— Enlightening Results (@GraceCordovano) October 19, 2017

How can we improve education opportunities to provide better outcomes for patients, healthcare providers, and insurance?

A3: Look to #patients and #care partners as sources of insights and education. They are experts in living w/their diagnosis daily #kareochat https://t.co/UcOUpZdrjZ

— Enlightening Results (@GraceCordovano) October 19, 2017

A3 In terms of educating patient about condition, info sheets & lists of resources at time of diagnosis would be most appreciated #kareochat

— Melissa VanHouten (@melissarvh) October 19, 2017

A5 Don't rattle off percentages and "norms" 2 Pts. Ask patients how they're doing under the tx, and mean it. It's their journey #KareoChat

— ShereeseM, MS/MBA (@ShereesePubHlth) October 19, 2017

A5 I schedule trips around RX refills. Sometimes I must count out up to 9 months ahead. Need to easily refill across state lines #KareoChat

— CP Nerve Center (@Cpnervecenter) October 19, 2017

Thank you to the women of CP Nerve Center for leading this important chat! We hope both patients and physicians alike took to heart the opinions shared this morning.

Telemedicine Solutions: What we can learn from states with Parity

Host: Amelia Roberts @RN_Solutions

Should online and digital healthcare be treated the same as in-person healthcare? That’s what states with telehealth parity believe. What can the rest of the U.S. learn from those states that have activated telehealth parity, and how it’s impacting both physicians and patients. Telehealth expert Amelia Roberts led this intriguing #KareoChat!

What is telemedicine parity? 

A1 Telehealth parity laws require reimbursement by health plans for telehealth services = rate as paid for in-person #kareochat

— Amelia (@RN_Solutions) October 26, 2017

What can we learn from those states that have telehealth parity?

#A2 From my homecare nurse days, we educate Pts to learn how to use tele-equipment. So nurse isn't required everytime. Save $$$ #KareoChat

— Becky Brandt RN (@bbhomebody) October 26, 2017

Should this be the standard way of care?

A3 People will soon get used to connivence as a standard https://t.co/dbCryy8veP #KareoChat

— Amelia (@RN_Solutions) October 26, 2017

But what are the implications for smaller practices who wish to stay competitive?

A4 Ha! Getting ahead of myself! I think practices will need to learn about sourcing funding for telehealth solutions. #KareoChat

— Amelia (@RN_Solutions) October 26, 2017

A4 Need creative models. In MD, mobile clinics, steep w/ talent & tech allow smaller providers op 2 compete w/ retail clinics #KareoChat

— ShereeseM, MS/MBA (@ShereesePubHlth) October 26, 2017

A great last tip from our incredible host:

A5 Even before the house visit, many families have simple questions they would like to ask an expert, yet take a look @HealApp #KareoChat

— Amelia (@RN_Solutions) October 26, 2017

Which topic stood out to you the most? And which topics would you like us to add into the mix moving forward? Tweet us @GoKareo #KareoChat and join us every Thursday at 9 a.m. (Pacific time) for our weekly forum on healthcare, technology and practice management topics facing independent practices. If you’re interested in hosting, we’d love to hear from you as well!