Blogopolis 2012 -Does social media work for healthcare communication

At the weekend I attended the most wonderful event in Sydney known as Blogopolis. 200 of Australia’s leading bloggers came together to share lessons, learn new tools and celebrate the power of the authentic voice.

I confess at the outset I too am a blogger, but what was fascinating from a brand sense was how many otherwise influential writers from the healthcare sector were present. I like to say they were there as themselves, representing their passions and of course for the fellowship of others.

I caught up with Catherine Saxelby well known dietician and lots of people came by to welcome us and share their day jobs too - they were either psychologists or nurses or married to doctors and journalists too. It was fascinating. That alone for me was satisfaction enough. Satisfaction that my representation to the company I work with that bloggers are a powerful voice and can either make or break a brand was viewable in one mass – right in this room. Word of mouth still reigns and it was great to hear ‘real opinions’ on matters that mattered and matters that did not. Like what was that question again?

However one blogger and I hope she doesn’t mind me sharing her story really caught my attention. Her name is @mumtalksautism. She has almost finished training as psychologist and has built a respite retreat for those with autism. Her story really touched my heart and I thought I would share it with you.

“I have three boys who all have autism. I am also trying to rebuild my life after our second child was tragically killed.

My eldest #1 is 19 and has high functioning autism and generalised anxiety disorder. Than we had our beautiful #2 who was tragically killed in 2003. #3 is five and has high functioning autism also but additionally has a sensory processing disorder. Then our little man #4 has classic autism, phonological receptive and expressive speech delay, sensory processing disorder and global developmental delay. We are pretty full on around here.

On top of the challenges that we face we are trying to overcome the devastation that feels our life after the death of our son some years ago. This is also that story. How we made it through to the other side. Sort of anyway.

Through my blog I talk about our life. The ups the downs. The good times and the madness that can be grief and living with autism. Having said that.

This is a happy place where I hope you will find inspiration. A place where you will find out how I am making it with three autistic boys. I want to explain how we made a difference and how you can too. We were told our #4 (4) would never talk. Last count we had about 78 words but I think we are way past that to be honest.

We can do this. The good stuff, the bad stuff, the great stuff. We can do this. Together. So please join me for what I can promise will not be a boring journey. Hope you will jump on for the ride. It wouldn’t be the same without you. Plus I wouldn’t want you to miss out on some amazing surprises that we have just around the corner to share with you all. We are going to make a difference. Not only for our boys but your family too. You don’t want to miss this.

Don’t stop believing.”


Mum Talks Autism

It’s stories like this one, real stories that make what I do as Marketing Director of 1stAvailable so satisfying. We are just one small piece in this amazing cog of healthcare access. Everyone counts, it’s all about equity.

For us at 1stAvailable trying to make people’s lives simpler by being able to book an appointment with the doc when you are able to do that, ie maybe you have time later at night when the kids are bed to jump online and book your regular health checkups. You can see the available appointments your doc has has during the 9-5 window, select one that suits and then book it. It’s simple, easy and quick. And its free.

Thank you again my new friends at Blogopolis 2012 – we learnt a lot and hope to be back. Oh and if you would register and try 1stAvailable.com.au as a service I’d be ever so grateful for your feedback.

Making an appointment to see the doctor gets easier at last!

Have you ever wondered why it is so hard to make an appointment with your doctor when you really need it? It is often after hours when you realise you need to make that appointment ASAP. I was reminded of this only recently when my son asked me to make a time to see a doctor about a rash on his back. Not urgent, but it required a quick visit to the GP for a script nevertheless. Of course my son's prompt was at 8.00pm at night and our doctor's surgery was closed. A quick after hours call to the surgery got a frustrating voicemail message to call back the next day....

How is it that we can make travel bookings online, do our banking online and at our convenience, yet something as basic as organising a visit to our doctor is still so frustrating!

Recently I've been working with a great organisation called 1stAvailable. They have launched a national appointment booking platform - one destination for all your healthcare appointments - enabling doctors, dentists, physiotherapists, chiropractors and other allied health professionals to publish their first available appointment using the site www.1stAvailable.com.au

It's built with both the patient and the clinician in mind. Launched to healthcare professionals in April 2012 it has already attracted a significant number of health practitioners and is now in beta consumer – As a blogger we’d love you to try it.

What you need to do

You need to register first and then search for a local health care practitioner near you to make an appointment. You can search up to 250km for appointments, which is really useful for country folk. Yes, 1stAvailable listened to country people and the frustration they have in making healthcare appointments when and as they need them.

But we need your help to make this available to all Australians

Like most things – change is often difficult for many of us. In Australia, healthcare is known for being slow to adapt to new trends. It’s not because healthcare practitioners don’t want to help but it’s just not on their radar. They are so busy running their practices and looking after patients that they haven’t really had time to think about how frustrating it is for us patients at times to make an appointment with them.

If you identify with this and would like to help make this service available to all Australians we’d love you to consider writing a blog post about your experiences of not being able to get an appointment when you needed it, even delaying treatment because of the experience. We need your voice. It’s not about making anyone wrong, it’s just about life is so busy for us all and with technology meant to enhance our lives, it’s all about being, Quick. Easy. Simple.

If you are like me, a mum who often finds herself with sick children on the weekends or later at night when my doctor is closed, you’ll identify with this scenario. Even making time during the day for booking my regular health checks as a woman can get sidetracked by other pressing business. I usually only have time after hours to think about and plan these things. It’s a recurring situation for just about everyone I talk with.

BTW – 1stAvailable already has over 1000 practitioners Australia wide already signed up – no small feat. Even a practice in Alice Springs has committed.

However if you can’t find an appointment near you and perhaps notice your health care provider or doctor isn’t using the system you can hit the nominate to join button on the site and lend your voice to the cause.

We’ve created a special badge you can wear on your site if you wish or add to your post – please feel free to download it at www.1stAvailable.com.

And if you are at Blogopolis today come and introduce yourself to us at our stand, your voice is very important to us, we want to hear your views and experiences.

Kathie Melocco

During the day - Kathie is Marketing Director for 1stAvailable - a game changing  way consumers will access and make their health  care appointments.

Blogger, Mum, Passionate Marketer for 1stAvailable.com.au