In a session at the Becker's Hospital Review Annual Meeting on May 16th in Chicago, Rhoda Weiss, PhD, a national healthcare consultant, speaker, author and educator, discussed the role of healthcare marketing in community education.
"When marketing first started in healthcare, most people thought it was advertising," she said. "What marketing really is, is the sum of total impressions, experiences and relationships individuals have with their patients."
Here are six more demonstrative definitions of healthcare marketing, as quoted by Dr. Weiss.
1. "Marketing is about the relationships we have with people. It isn't about the logo. It's about the cultures, the issues. Every employee should have the word marketing in their job descriptions."
2. "Marketing isn't about grabbing attention, it's about inspiring action."
3. "Marketing also means taking a stand for those who cannot stand themselves. Marketing is about communication. The best way to do marketing is with testimonials."
4. "It is a [patient] relationship with the nurse; it is a relationship with the housekeeper."
5. "Marketing is finding out what people want and giving it to them."
6. "The little stuff. That's marketing. Building relationships and making people feel like they are at home and loved."
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