Don Draper Couldn't Have Promoted Your Doctor Blog

Photo Credit: thepurplefig.com

Did you know that prior to 1978 individual physicians were prohibited from advertising by the AMA?

The funny thing is that even without that law many mid-century physicians wouldn't have advertised. They would have abstained out of pride and a belief that they could grow their business through the quality of their treatment(s), bedside manner and organic community feedback.

This belief continued in the decades after the ban was lifted. An article from the Chicago Tribune in 1989 showed a lingering hesitancy about maintaining an active marketing program, “Whether it`s reluctantly or enthusiastically, physicians agree that a successful career may indeed hinge on marketing efforts. An excellent education and expertise in a specialty may no longer be enough.”

With the proliferation of Doctor Blogs it probably seems as if the medical community has fully embraced traditional and digital media medical marketing. That is not necessarily true. We meet countless new clients who come to us with an If I have to do this attitude. After they see the results their attitude changes but that initial hesitancy is still a hurdle that needs to be leaped. The dream of a flourishing practice built off of relationships and word-of-mouth is wonderful but antiquated. Forums are essentially word of mouth, as are comments and online reviews. The dream is the same, just a little more digital.