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Running head: HEALTHCARE AND SOCAIL MEDIA
Health and the Impact of Social Media
Ashley Larkin
Liberty University
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HEALTHCARE AND SOCIAL MEDIA
Healthcare and the Impact of Social Media
As described by Nelson and Staggers (2018) p. 223, social media is a complied group of
internet based applications which use web 2.0 as a basis to create an online environment for the
purpose of large groups of individuals to collaborate and maintain their social connections with
one another no matter where their location may be. With the creation of web 2.0 a broad range of
social media platforms were created that enabled a variety of new technology and networking
sites such as Facebook, professional networking sites like LinkedIn, microblogging, social
bookmarking, and meeting and sharing tools such as google hangouts that enable professional
and personal gatherings alike to allow easy sharing of videos, photos and documents (Rolls et al.,
2016).
Benefits of Social Media
There are many benefits of having social media, but the two main benefits as it relates to
health include enhancing provider and patient interaction as a means of a more personal
connection, and the ability of patients to have easy access to healthcare information and interact
with other patients whom have similar diseases or related experiences. Social media provides a
platform of social support, while enabling patients to better manage their health conditions
(Nelson & Staggers, 2018 p 225)
A research article by Smailhodzic, Hooijsma Boonstra, & Langley (2016) discusses how
social media positively impacts the relationship between provider and patient, as well as
enhances the patient experience all together. The main benefits of social media presented in their
findings include information support, social support and emotional support. These benefits of
social media provide patients with the ability to manage their health conditions, typically at no
direct cost to the patient.
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Challenges of Social Media
While there are many great benefits to using social media in the context of healthcare, it
also presents a unique set of challenges and many people are apprehensive of becoming involved
with its use on a regular basis. According to Nelson & Staggers (2018) p. 225, some of the
reasons that healthcare professionals are apprehensive to use social media include taking the time
to learn about the application or platform, fear that its use may be considered unprofessional
among the medical community, fear of posting something that may be against their employers
social media policy by mistake, and also fear of posting something to a social network that may
break patient or professional privacy and confidentiality.
Denecke et al. (2015) discusses the many dangers and ethical issues that the use of social
media can present in the setting of healthcare. One of the major risks addressed in the use of
social media is the potential of posting unprofessional content that may reflect unfavorably on a
healthcare provider, student or associated affiliation. They also bring attention to the fact that
many social media platforms are interconnected linking professional and unprofessional sites
together that may misconstrue perceptions of the information presented. Another large concern
that is identified is the lack of quality and reliability when patients perform generalized searches
regarding health concerns.
Impact of Social Media on Healthcare
Social networking and digital health have transformed many aspects of healthcare and
clinical practice as we know it today. Numerous applications have been created and proven
successful in assisting healthcare providers to have quick and accurate information at their
fingertips to be able to enhance the care they are able to provide (Housman, 2017). Social media
and digital healthcare have provided many valuable resources such as better patient and provider
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interaction, the ability to use applications to manage prescriptions and healthcare appointments
and the ability to have emotional support when needed from people with medical conditions that
may be similar in nature.
With all of that being said, there are many areas that need to be further researched and
addressed regarding the use of social media in the healthcare environment. According to
Housman (2017), statistics have shown that while patient interaction and emotional support is
enhanced with social media and networking, there also lies a great risk for patients obtaining
inaccurate or poor quality information, as well as posing the risk of patients deciding to use that
information to self-treat instead of seeking appropriate medical care. These statistics present the
need for further research and editing and filtering of networks, platforms and mobile applications
to ensure health related information and groups are provided with correct information and
encourage to seek the appropriate care and resources when necessary.
Social Media Policy
The organization I am currently employed by does have a policy regarding the use of
social media, as it relates to working for them. As far as inside the workplace certain websites are
blocked from being accessed from the hospital’s computers or devices such as Facebook and
Twitter. The policy also includes restrictions about employees and affiliates posting information
to those websites, which mainly address issues concerning protecting patient privacy and
security. It prohibits employees from posting photos or videos to social media where the
organization may be identified. The policy for the most part prohibits the use of social media in
the way of having social interactions that are affiliated with the work environment.
On another part of the policy use of certain web applications that relate to performing
your job and enhancing patient care such as drip calculation apps or drug applications are
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discussed and encouraged, although they prefer you to use and take advantage of the software
they have provided on all their computers that also possess the same capabilities.
In my personal opinion I believe that this policy restricts the use of social media too
much. While I agree that it must be regulated and possess rules for its use, there are many great
things that can come with the use of social media in patient care. One of the main ways I believe
that its use could enhance patient care from a professional outlook is creating videos and or
photo instructions regarding procedures, equipment use, and other job responsibilities related to
patient are that could provide staff with additional resources to promote positive patient
outcomes.
Conclusion
In a fast paced and everchanging healthcare environment, the use of social media and its
implementation by healthcare organizations has become a necessary component and valuable
tool that if used appropriately can enhance various aspects of medical care. In using social media
to assist in healthcare delivery, as providers we must stay adamant to ensure that appropriate
regulations are in place and followed regarding protection of patient privacy as well as ensuring
that these applications and websites stay up to date with reliable and accurate information. In
Ephesians 5:15-16 it states, “ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,
making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” I believe this verse applies to
situations such as these with advancement of technology and use of new tools to provide better
care. We must use our common sense and make the most of each new opportunity, but also use
wisdom in its use to ensure we are doing the most good for the most people.
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References
Denecke, K., Bamidis, P., Bond, C., Gabarron, E., Househ, M., Lau, A. Y., Mayer, M. A.,
Merolli, M., & Hansen, M. (2015). Ethical Issues of Social Media Usage in
Healthcare. Yearbook of medical informatics, 10(1), 137–147.
https://doi.org/10.15265/IY-2015-001
Housman, L. T. (2017). “I’m Home(screen)!”: Social media in health care has arrived. Clinical
Therapeutics, 39(11), 2189-2195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinthera.2017.10.007
Nelson, R., & Staggers, N. (2018). Health informatics: An interprofessional approach (2nd ed.).
Elsevier Health Sciences.
Rolls, K., Hansen, M., Jackson, D., & Elliott, D. (2016). How health care professionals use
social media to create virtual communities: An integrative review. Journal of Medical
Internet Research, 18(6), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.5312
Smailhodzic, E., Hooijsma, W., Boonstra, A., & Langley, D. J. (2016). Social media use in
healthcare: A systematic review of effects on patients and on their relationship with
healthcare professionals. BMC health services research, 16(1), 442.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-016-1691-0
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