touch point podcast

In this episode, Chris Boyer and Reed Smith - inspired by insights from Matt Gove and Andy Chang at HCIC - discuss the interplay between customer behavior and loyalty, habits, and laziness. They explore how healthcare organizations can build lasting connections by fostering familiarity and ease, forming patient habits through consistent cues and reinforcements, and simplifying the patient journey...

In this episode, Chris Boyer is joined by guests Dean Browell, Martha Van Berkel and Danny Fell as they discuss some of the key themes and issues being discussed at the 28th Annual Healthcare Internet Conference in Austin, TX. From the changing role of the marketing leader, to the challenges of measurement and the complexity of technology and disruption, they share ideas and insights on how modern...

In this episode of Touch Point, hosts Chris Boyer and Reed Smith discuss how healthcare organizations can maximize the value of their data through a seven-step data maturity model. They explore the challenges and opportunities in managing healthcare data—from initial modeling to data marketplaces—using real-world examples from healthcare projects. Chris and Reed highlight how structured data manag...

In this episode, hosts Reed Smith and Chris Boyer discuss essential traits for healthcare leaders facing industry-wide transformation. They explore adaptive leadership styles, including transformational leadership, which fosters loyalty, creativity, and resilience. The episode also discusses the four C’s of Leading Through Change and offers practical insights for navigating healthcare's unique cha...

In this episode, hosts Reed Smith and Chris Boyer explore the significant disruptions currently transforming the US healthcare system, from innovations reshaping service delivery to changes in how the market operates and how patients receive care. They outline five major disruptive trends and discuss how health systems can build resilience in the face of these changes. This episode also features a...

In this episode, hosts Reed Smith and Chris Boyer explore the concept of consumer-driven healthcare and why it often falls short of true "shopping" experiences, discussing how factors like insurance coverage, geographic limitations, and health drivers complicate decision-making for patients. From the pitfalls of online appointment scheduling to the limitations of "reserve your spot" features in em...

In this episode, Reed Smith and Chris Boyer the "drivers of health," healthcare consumerism, and the role of marketing in shaping patient experiences. They explore how social, economic, and environmental factors impact health, how consumers are increasingly empowered in their care decisions, and how a strategic, consumer-focused approach can drive meaningful change. Mentions from the Show:  Kaiser...

In this episode, Chris Boyer and Reed Smith explore how the concept of ROI in healthcare digital experience extends beyond financial returns to impact patient care, operations, and sustainability. They break down ROI into three key areas: growth, cost savings, and improving experience and highlight how digital tools like telemedicine, patient portals, and automation drive patient acquisition, stre...

In this episode, Reed Smith and Chris Boyer explore the critical decision organizations face between adopting point-based solutions vs. integrated platforms. They delve into the pros and cons of each approach, highlighting the importance of aligning these choices with organizational needs - and share how holistic frameworks and AI-powered technologies can elevate user experiences in healthcare, im...

In this episode, hosts Reed Smith and Chris Boyer explore the evolution of search engine optimization and the growing impact of generative AI, exploring how large language models (LLMs) and their capabilities in natural language processing (NLP) can impact SEO efforts. They also touch on the benefits and challenges of AIO (Artificial Intelligence Optimization), highlighting how it automates conten...

In this milestone 400th episode of the Touch Point podcast, hosts Chris Boyer and Reed Smith reflect on the last almost eight years of podcasting, and share stories from the early days (how it began and the first few episodes), to how the topics have shifted over the years, and reflect on memorable moments throughout the show lifetime. They also are humbled to share voices messages from fans and f...

In this episode, hosts Reed Smith and Chris Boyer explore the "flat pancake" metaphor as it applies to the evolving role of the Chief Digital Officer (CDO) in healthcare and discuss how with conflicting priorities and lacking a clear mandate, CDOs face unique challenges in driving digital transformation within complex healthcare systems. They are joined by Jerry Grady of the Ward Group, who shares...

In this episode, hosts Chris Boyer and Reed Smith share an update on the evolution of patient portals and how healthcare leaders are leveraging them to drive patient experience - sometimes to unintended consequences. They also discuss two recent patient studies illustrating potential biases in the adoption rate of patient portals.  Mentions from the Show: How Leaders Are Using Patient Portals To D...

In general, digital transformations can be difficult – particularly in health systems. In this episode, hosts Reed Smith and Chris Boyer discuss the overall need for provider organizations to embrace radical digital transformation, ponder if we are able to do so, and then discuss how prioritizing patient advocacy can yield to more impactful digital transformation. They are joined by Scott Becker,...

The latest Gartner Hype Cycle indicates that the use of marketing Generative AI is about to slip into the Trough of Disillusionment. In this week’s episode, hosts Chris Boyer and Reed Smith discuss some of Gartner’s findings and the impact it has on digital marketing, review a story that opines on whether AI is in a bubble and share the current adoption rate in the healthcare industry.  Mentions f...

In this episode, hosts Chris Boyer and Reed Smith dive deep into the complex world of marketing technology, exploring the essential tools and strategies that power successful marketing teams. From foundational elements like website CMS and analytics to advanced AI-driven solutions, they dissect the marketing tech stack, providing insights into its construction, optimization, and the challenges fac...

In this episode, hosts Reed Smith and Chris Boyer compare market and marketing research, and discuss the various methods - both quantitative and qualitative - that organizations can use to help inform critical strategies in a health system. Steve Koch from Cast and Hue joins to breakdown the differences and strengths of using focus groups and/or 1:1 interviews.  Mentions from the Show: Market Rese...

In this episode, hosts Chris Boyer and Reed Smith dive into the world of Online Reputation Management (ORM) and its significance for healthcare systems. They explore the essential activities marketing teams must undertake to manage ORM effectively, including monitoring social media, responding to reviews, and engaging with the community. They also discuss the nuanced aspects of ORM, such as sentim...

In this week’s episode, hosts Reed Smith and Chris Boyer share their perceptions and insights on patient access - what it is, what internal and external factors are impacting access and then they dive into a recent study by Experian that implies that both patients and providers are feeling optimistic about access improvements in health systems. Lastly, they share some ways to implement a consumer-...

Data is crucial for uniting digital strategies across a health system, yet it often presents significant challenges. In this episode, hosts Reed Smith and Chris Boyer explore how various departments—marketing, innovation, operations, and clinical/care management—perceive and utilize data differently. They delve into the distinct value each area finds in data and discuss how organizations can progr...

Data is critical to any organization in order to support decision-making and measuring success. In this episode, hosts Reed Smith and Chris Boyer discuss how developing a good data strategy is the underpinning of any successful digital transformation, experience or innovation strategy. They also reflect on the changing responsibilities of the Chief Data Officer over the years, and share myths rela...

As health systems increasingly adopt digital technologies, the gap between leading innovators and lagging adopters is becoming more pronounced. In this episode, hosts Reed Smith and Chris Boyer share characteristics that distinguish the two. They are then joined by Ben Dillon, who shares findings and insights from Geonetric’s most recent 2024 Healthcare Digital Marketing Trends Survey. Mentions fr...

The modern healthcare consumer expects a personalized experience, but many health systems struggle to meet these expectations. In this week's episode, Chris Boyer and Reed Smith discuss the current state of personalization in healthcare and explore why these strategies often fall short. They are joined by Keir Bradshaw of Merge, who shares his insights on how health systems can enhance personaliza...

In this week’s episode, hosts Reed Smith and Chris Boyer discuss the future of search and search optimization by exploring the recent changes to SEO algorithms and the challenge of integrating Gen AI into search experiences. They even provide a high-level overview of the most recent Google SEO leaks and what it means to healthcare marketers. They are then joined by Martha van Berkel of SchemaApp w...

In this episode, hosts Chris Boyer and Reed Smith delve into the contrasting worlds of back-office and front-office digital initiatives in healthcare, exploring how back-office applications like productivity tools, connectivity solutions, and data interoperability are revolutionizing administrative efficiency, while front-office innovations such as patient-facing care protocols, self-service optio...