How to integrate gamification into your social media campaign

GE Healthcare #GetFit cancer awareness campaign

Gamification is a recent trend in healthcare marketing  that we’ve seen used in creative ways by hospitals and health insurance companies. Recently, we posted examples of healthcare gamification involving the use of websites, iPad apps and mobile apps. Last week GE Healthcare launched its second annual gamification/social media hybrid healthcare marketing campaign to increase cancer awareness and prevention.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 30% of cancers are preventable by maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly. The goal of GE’s campaign, called #GetFit, is to spread this message and to get people to share the simple changes you can make in your daily life that will lead to a healthier lifestyle and reduce your risk of cancer.

To participate, people need to share their healthy choices and activities on Facebook, Twitter or Weibo including the #GetFit hashtag. For each post on a social network that includes #GetFit, people will receive 10 points. People may also create teams and compete against others around the world.

Some examples given on the #GetFit website are:

• I will park in the furthest parking spot. #GetFit
• I will not smoke today. #GetFit
• I will go for a 15 minute walk after dinner. #GetFit

GE also has a HealthyShare Facebook app that lets people share and track health goals and complete challenges updated weekly by GE Healthcare.

In 2011, the #GetFit campaign had more than 700 participants from 55 countries. The Middle East and Africa scored the most points and they were rewarded with a $20,000 donation to the Red Cross or Red Crescent Society of a single country within the region. They determined Kenya as the winning country through an online poll.

Is your hospital or physician group using gamification in your marketing plan to engage patients?