While the FDA ponders the use of social media for DTC marketing marketers can still use this channel to provide patient insights into specific disease states, medications and treatment options.  I had a chance to take a deep dive into social media for MS patients and uncovered specific needs and segments of patients.

I spent the better part of a month mining social media, Twitter, Facebook, patient communities, for a client interested in covering MS patients needs,  Here is some of what I found..

Specific MS Segments

Newly Diagnosed – These patients wanted two things via social media.  The first was answers about why and how.  The second was information about how to live with MS.  They were often looking for mentors and usually went back and forth sharing information.

Patients with MS – These were patients that have been diagnosed with MS for awhile.  Their communication was around encouragement an experiences around specific medications with an emphasis on the medication side effects vs. quality of life.   I was also surprised that this segment was very aware of new medications in development and followed their progress very closely.  In addition, these people openly shared information about dosing of current medications.  Their need is medication side effects vs. not doing anything at all.

Read more: http://worldofdtcmarketing.com/mining-social-media-for-insights-into-patient-behaviors-ms/social-media-and-healthcare/

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