1
Hutchins
Social media and its impact on Healthcare
Social Media Advantages
Social media has become a major influencer and source of information for a large portion
of social media users. Social media can be used from advertising, public awareness, reviews,
influence and information, as well as socialization and a community for individuals suffering
from similar illnesses. Social media can have a huge impact on a health care facilities reputation,
quality of patient care, and negative or positive experiences. A recent study showed that the
majority of U.S. adult internet users, 75%, use social media and this figure is around 80% among
young people in the European Union countries (Abadi, Naseri & Sheikhtaheri, 2015). Applying
new information and communication technologies in health care can be very advantageous.
Social media advantages for health care consisting of a better relationship between patients,
providers and even policy makers. An advantage for many patients is having blogs, and forums
to discuss and share feelings, procedures, and a community of individuals that have survived or
gone through similar situations. Having a community of individuals that can relate to a patient
can relieve anxiety of a patient before going through a procedure. Patients are not the only ones
that can benefit from social community, physicians can also participate in communities where
they can read news articles, listen to experts, research new medical development and consult
their colleagues for advice (Ventola, 2014). Physician can debate with colleagues, discuss
practice management, patient care and discuss and share cases and ideas. Social media can even
give patients and physicians access to information, best practices and a feeling of being involved
in a community. From a human resources(HR) perspective, social media can be used as a way to
target the right individuals for job openings, by posting the positions on specific sites aimed at
physicians, specialty care, nurses, etc. Social media can also be used for the HR professional by
2
Hutchins
using forums and sites designed to encourage new ideas, relay new information on regulations
and laws that impact the HR department, techniques and tactics for negotiations with unions and
employees as well as alternative dispute resolutions. Forecasting is a critical part of human
resources and social media can help with anticipating changes that may affect the organization
(Pynes & Lombardi, 2011).
Social media Challenges
Aside from the advantages that are offered through social media there are some
challenges. Data and privacy breaches has become a major concern. Social media encounters
challenges like the lack of privacy and confidentiality and reliability( Abadi et al., 2015). As a
health care facility there needs to be a focus on patient’s privacy and confidentiality and social
media does not offer a secure enough platform typically to ensure that the patient’s data is not
sold or breached. Social media can offer patients a direct link to providers through the use video
chat for minor treatments, advice and for mild prescriptions or refills. Allowing patients this type
of access will decrease the wait times to be seen by a provider in urgent care, primary care and
possibly emergency departments. Patients may seek more medical care when they have different
avenues to receive care. Healthcare organizations have developed specific guidelines and
policies for social media and the use of it. The majority of these guidelines have common
characteristics and concepts. These concepts include determining what activities are acceptable,
ownership of the accounts, informed consent and authorization, respect of individual and
organizational confidentiality, compliance with privacy laws, copyright laws, laws and policies
3
Hutchins
related to medical records, coverage of malpractice insurance and terms of use (Abadi et
al.,2015).
Conclusion
Healthcare facilities and physicians need to embrace the use of social media. Most
facilities have become aware of how powerful and influential this medium is and how important
it is to use it effective and efficiently. With that social media and the information that is posted
from a healthcare facility needs to be accurate. The Bible speaks of the importance of
understanding the information and making sure that due diligence has been performed before
anything is put out to the public. Proverbs 18:2 states “a fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only in expressing his opinion (Holy Bible, ESV).” Social media has magnified this type of
foolishness, everyone wants to share their opinion on social media, but no one wants to listen or
understand. Healthcare facilities need to use social media in ways that are accurate and does not
encourage foolishness. Social media is a tool to be used to increase the effectiveness of the
organization, to disseminate information, and create a community that focuses on improving
healthcare, the key for an organization is have a set policy in place for social media usage.
References
Abadi, T. N. B., & Sheikhtaheri, A. (2015). Social media and health care: Necessity of facing
their challenges. Iranian Journal of Public Health, 44(4), 596-597. Retrieved from
http://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-
com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/docview/1679393440?accountid=12085
Esv: Study Bible : English Standard Version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles, 2007. Print.
Pynes, J. E., & Lombardi, D. N. (2011). Human resources management for health care
organizations: A strategic approach. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. ISBN:
4
Hutchins
9780470873557.
Ventola, C.(2014). Social Media and health care professionals: benefits, risks, and best
practices. Journal for Managed Care and Hospital Formulary Management, Vol 39(7),
pg. 491-520. Retrieved from: https://www-ncbi-nlm-nih-
gov.ezproxy.liberty.edu/pmc/articles/PMC4103576/
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
