NEW YORK, June 14—Grey Healthcare Group has launched MedConnector, a consumer communications service that follows what the firm calls a “European approach” to direct-to-consumer marketing.
 
MedConnector uses a proprietary five-step model that leverages physician involvement to create effective dialog between doctors and patients. The process brings together medical education, public relations, advocacy marketing and advertising, to provide patients with the information and understanding they need to have more effective conversations with their physicians.
 
Says Michele Carini, GHG business unit director for Europe, “It is critical that all consumer communications involve the physician. Active participation not only ensures that healthcare professionals do not feel alienated and suspicious of patient communications, but rather in contributing to them, erases any communication barriers that many exist, enhances effective physician-patient dialog, and helps manage expectations about treatment options and results.”