Go digital health launched
pharmafile | January 17, 2013 | News story | Medical Communications | GolinHarris, Virgo, go digital health
A new global digital practice, go digital health, has been launched by Virgo Health and GolinHarris.
The team brings together healthcare heritage from Virgo Health and digital expertise and insight from Architect – an interactive team within GolinHarris working outside the healthcare arena. The cross-sector team says it will use technology and communications know-how to create meaningful connections in health.
The rise of digital media and devices mean that consumers are increasingly managing their health via online/digital platforms. In a survey conducted as part of the launch, over 73% of respondents cited the internet as their first port of call when seeking health information, prior to any discussion with friends, family or a GP.
The poll also showed that the top device for accessing health information was a laptop (44%), followed by smartphone (29%), tablet and desktop (both 12%), with 70% of respondents using what they found online to self-diagnose.
However, the survey also revealed a demand for greater customisation – while 51% had downloaded an app to track or monitor their personal health, the ‘most wanted’ health gadgets would improve holistic health management and enable greater automation, avoiding the need to input data in order to track or monitor.
Emily Brooks, practice lead at go digital health said: “We are no doubt seeing a boom in consumer engagement in digital health but as consumers become more accustomed to digital, they will demand more customisation.
“In many ways we are already at a point of health app and information overload – something our survey participants picked up as one of the biggest frustrations with information online – so ensuring cut-through requires a smart approach. We’re really excited about go and what our unique experience – from inside and outside health – can bring.”
Jon Meggitt, head of Innovation at go digital health said: “For us it’s about using technology innovatively to create meaningful connections in health – connecting the right people with the right information, based on deep consumer-centric, health-enriched insights. Our mantra of ‘go beyond’ fits our ambition to continually challenge ourselves to think laterally, think smartly and use technology to make these connections easier and simpler.”
The digital group has been formed as part of Virgo Health’s relationship with GolinHarris, announced in July 2012. The team of over 25 people offers full service in-house digital health marketing capability including strategy, creative, design and development, and social media – pulling in expertise from non-health sources via the Architect team, whose clients include Unilever, Tesco and Winning Moves.
Go digital has created a blog to coincide with launch – read it here. Read more about the team at: www.godigitalhealth.com
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