Becker's Healthcare July 12, 2018
It’s official: word-of-mouth referrals are no longer sacred in healthcare.
Eighty-one percent of patients revealed that they still conduct online research on providers they’ve been referred to, and 90 percent will choose another provider entirely if they don’t like what they see online. This shift in behavior, what some call the “Amazon effect,” marks a significant turning point in the healthcare industry.
The Amazon effect has altered the way consumers search for and select healthcare providers. When it comes to retail purchases, consumers follow a distinct journey: they conduct online research, comparison shop, read a number of consumer reviews, and make a purchase with a click. Convenience, “social proof,” and readily available information are key to the retail experience. Consumer...