New White Paper from The Beryl Institute Highlights Physician as Key Consumer Influencer

(DALLAS, TX) -- Today's healthcare consumers have more information and are more empowered than ever before but continue to be influenced greatly by their physicians. A new white paper from The Beryl Institute, "Balancing Consumer and Physician Influence: Finding the Sweet Spot in Healthcare Marketing," explores the valuable relationship between physicians and consumers and physicians and hospitals.

"An effective customer relationship and service program for both consumers and physicians is imperative," said white paper author Alvis Swinney, senior vice president of marketing communications for Meridian Health. "Although both groups are equally important, the strategies to support them are very different."

The white paper explores the history of marketing to consumers, the relationship between physicians and hospitals, the physician as the patient influencer, and physician-to-physician marketing programs. Swinney explains how physician-to-physician marketing programs work and the immediate impact they can have on hospital volume.

While supporting physicians may not seem like a natural outgrowth of a consumer-driven marketing strategy, it actually helps to improve customer service in the marketplace. When physicians are made aware of options available for their patients, it helps them recommend appropriate care - convenient care - and hopefully customer-focused care.

The Beryl Institute will conduct free webinars on this topic on November 18 from noon - 1:30 p.m. EST and November 19 from 2 - 3:30 p.m. EST. Anyone interested in receiving information about the date and time of these webinars can register for free on The Beryl Institute's Web site at www.theberylinstitute.net. All registered members will be notified of upcoming webinars and events.

Founded in 2006, The Beryl Institute is the research and educational arm of The Beryl Companies, the leading provider of outsourced call center services in healthcare. The mission of The Beryl Institute is to improve customer service in healthcare.