Medical matchmaking? Why not? At a time when physicians are looking to promote themselves and the services of their practice to a wider audience, having a chance to meet with prospective patients in a relaxed environment is an opportunity to forge new relationships. And while it might resemble, at first blush, a night of speed dating, the focus here is on healthcare.

It’s easy for doctors to get caught up in the day-to-day regimen of providing the best medical care for their patients. After all, that’s your job. What sometimes gets lost in the shuffle, however, is that physicians should also be enabling to their staff -- helping them be as productive and efficient as possible.

Many in the medical community have come to realize that social media is about communication. That’s a key factor in building online communities between physicians and their patients. Before you engage in social media, however, you need to understand how to “talk the talk” and determine what kind of communications your patients want from you.

Some are predicting the use of videoconferencing by physicians is about to boom, and experts say acceptance of the technology by physicians and their patients is growing. While physicians who use videoconferencing tools are able to realize significant efficiency and productivity gains, finding a reimbursement model that works can be a challenge.