October 20179 Leveraging Social Media as a Healthcare Engagement PlatformSocial media plays a key role in helping consumers in their healthcare decision making process. It facilitates information sharing, (educational videos on general health topics such as vaccine safety, early detection of heart attack) which can encourage behavioral changes, or save a person's life.Therefore, Pharma IT leaders need to be able to leverage the various social media platforms and channels as a listening tool to gather customer feedback, and better understand healthcare topics and issues. Using Data to Understand Each Market's ChallengesThe Asia Pacific region's diversity is a challenge for the industry. Each country is at a different stage of healthcare development, and the market needs in the regions are also highly heterogeneous. Success hinges on a deep understanding of each market, and the onus is on Pharma IT leaders to work with their colleagues to use the data available to design solutions for better delivery of healthcare and patient outcome.Being the Bridge for CollaborationWith the expanding role of Pharma IT leaders, it is essential to understand that these challenges cannot be addressed alone. Collaborations are essential.Picture an insomniac sharing data on his sleep pattern and exercise regime recorded on his tracking device with his doctor. The doctor then shares it with a data scientist who aggregates this to study and gather new insights that could be used to derive new treatment methods; or he shares it with a healthcare manufacturer who can come up with new tools to help the patient sleep better.These solutions are only made possible with partnerships.As tech players continue to eye a slice of the healthcare market, Pharma IT leaders must seek alternative ways to support and grow their businesses. One example would be partnerships with external players to find, develop or co-create more effective customer solutions. This requires IT Leaders to ensure their teams have the right mix of skill sets such as relationship management, ideation, an innovation mindset, and rapid problem-solving.But Approach with Caution...However, with so much information and data movement, Pharma IT leaders must also consider the risks involved. Cyber-attacks, patient's personal data protection, and medical ethics are some of the key concerns that they must look into.Today's healthcare challenges are too diverse for a single organization to tackle alone. Pharma IT leaders can no longer focus solely on medicine developments; we need to proactively and constantly source for partnerships and collaborations. Only then can we address today's healthcare challenges more quickly, and effectively. AS TECH PLAYERS CONTINUE TO EYE A SLICE OF THE HEALTHCARE MARKET, PHARMA IT LEADERS MUST SEEK ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO SUPPORT AND GROW THEIR BUSINESSES
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