Evaluating Marketing Plans for DO and MD Physicians

When marketing to a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) and a Medical Doctor (MD), it is important to understand the differences between the two, as well as how these differences should influence the marketing strategy.

DOs and MDs - What's the Difference?

The main difference between DO and MD physicians is that the former practice osteopathic medicine, which emphasizes the connection between body structure and function. Osteopathic physicians focus on integrating traditional medical treatments with holistic approaches such as lifestyle modifications, nutrition counseling, and stress management. Additionally, DOs receive special training in manipulative medicine which focuses on using hands-on techniques to diagnose and treat illness.

Target Specific Patients Who Are Most Likely to Convert

It all depends on physician and or clinic goals and objectives. Given these differences between DOs and MDs, marketing efforts should recognize their distinct areas of expertise in order to be effective. For example, when targeting patients for an MD physician, campaigns could focus on highlighting traditional medical treatments such as drug therapies or surgical interventions used for treating common illnesses, pain or injury. On the other hand, campaigns for DOs might emphasize the importance of preventive care or point out the benefits of manual manipulation techniques for pain relief.

Consulting With Practice Management and Physician Goals Are Essential

Whether you are promoting an MD or DO, attracting the right patients will come down to the cases the physician and clinic prefers. This is where consulting with an ROI based healthcare marketing company can identify goals, high level strategies, and creative tactics needed to drive new patients to you clinic. Depending on strategy, the correct mix of website creative, messaging, SEO, paid media advertising and social media awareness can be implemented and evaluated based on ROAS.

Customize Messaging to the Physician's Unique Value Propositions

In addition to recognizing each type of doctor’s unique practices, marketers must also be cognizant of their different audiences when creating messages for each group. While MDs may target specialist audiences such as cardiologists or orthopedic surgeons, DOs might appeal more to primary care physicians who handle multiple health concerns in one visit. Thus, it’s important that marketers design campaigns that are tailored specifically to each audience's needs rather than relying on generic messaging that could be interpreted differently by each group. 

Utilize Digital Marketing as An Asset Builder

It is essential both types of doctors understand the importance of incorporating digital technologies into their daily routines in order to provide patients with better care outcomes. Medical marketers should work hard to ensure both types of doctors have access to modern tools they need in order to increase efficiency while being mindful of data privacy regulations at all times. 

People Make the Difference

In conclusion, effective marketing strategies for both MDs and DOs must take into account their distinct areas of specialization along with their separate audiences in order maximize impact across all channels while keeping patient safety top priority at all times. By taking a comprehensive approach with exceptional marketing managers at the right healthcare marketing company that incorporates digital tools and data privacy policies into healthcare services can help ensure doctors stay ahead of industry trends while providing better care options for patients everywhere.