Social Media Platforms that Present a Novel Dimension to Health Care - Case Study Example

The Benefits of Social Media for Patients, Physicians and Healthcare Institutions By Student’s name Code+ course name Professor’s name University name City, State Date Introduction Social media are fast becoming a familiar emblem in the healthcare sectors across the world. Across various health care institutions, to physicians, caregivers and patients, various social media platforms are reengineering the manner in which communication, interaction and information delivery are taking place. Proponents of the enhanced use of social media in the healthcare sector argue that social media tools allow for greater personalization of health related information, better presentation and participation, (Hamm et al. 2013). These aspects make social media sites as useful platforms that can enhance health communication and other outcomes. Health-related content on social media can be tailored to the priorities and specific needs of users with the adaptability of different social media platforms. Such adaptation presents abundant possibilities for superior presentation of health-related information, (Sarasohn-Kahn 2008). Furthermore, the collaborative nature of social media permits for making meaningful contributions by all users thereby creating a synergistic relationship amongst social media users, (Sarasohn-Kahn 2008). Elevated use of social media platforms not only speeds up health-related communication and improves information provision and access for patients, but also allows physicians and caregivers to collaboratively engage patients in the delivery of care, (Sarasohn-Kahn 2008). Such collaboration helps to improve the patient-patient relationship which further enhances patient-centered care, (Hamm et al. 2013) The Benefits of social media usage on patients There are various benefits that accrue to patients who have adopted social media to enhance self-care, (Hamm et al. 2013). Patients are increasingly turning to social media sites as platforms to access health related information. The aim is to improve their knowledge regards some health issues such as causes of diseases, symptoms, diagnoses and medications for managing them, particularly on chronic and infectious diseases,. Social media sites such as PatientsLikeMe have enhanced patient-patient communication by providing a platform on which to engage in dialogue with one another, share health-related information and advice regarding treatment options and medication, (Hamm et al. 2013 and Sarasohn-Kahn 2008). Consequently, there have been instances where physicians have reported by patients with rare health conditions who enter doctor’s consultation rooms armed with more information about the condition that themselves, (Sarasohn-Kahn 2008). Social networking sites allow patients to seek information from other patients with similar health conditions regards the efficacy of a particular treatment, their side effects, causes and management, (Chou et al. 2013). Moreover, social media provides a platform on which coping skills are shared, thereby providing social and emotional support to patients and caregivers, as well as enhancing resource and information sharing, (Chou et al. 2011). For instance, social media have enabled the efficient exchange of personal stories of patient experiences, particularly among cancer survivors and their caregivers, (Chou et al. 2011). Cancer survivor stories shared on social media enable affected individuals to gain a better understanding on the illness’s management to improve their quality of life and chances of survival, (Chou et al. 2011). As such, social media has had a positive health impact on survivors and patients alike. Colineau and Paris (2010) report that individuals have previously and continue to use health-related social media sites to deliberate, sensitive health related matters, as well as complex information with health physicians. Patients are using social media platforms as a mechanism through which to reconfirm health related information to improve their decision making regards medications and diagnoses, (Sarasohn-Kah 2008). Even though the benefits that accrue to patients for adopting social media are many, there are concerns that present a limitation on the application of social media to enhance healthcare. As Hawn (2009) posits, inappropriate swap of online information available on social media sites for in-person physician visits has the potential to result in detrimental outcomes. The benefits of Social media on enhancing healthcare service delivery among physicians Social media have enhanced health-related communications due to their contribution to patient and physician connectivity and participation, (Chou, Hunt & Hesse 2009), particularly among younger clinicians, (Van de Belt al.2012). Social media platforms have had a positive contribution on how doctors provide social support to patients, (Van de Belt al. 2012). For instance, the interactivity of social media has also ensured that health related information is patient-centered, (Hawn 2009). Through user generated content on social media, interactive health related information exchange is on the increase among physicians. Physicians have increasingly turned to social media sites to provide information on appropriate disease management strategies and practices as well as provide diagnoses, (Farmer et al. 2009). Social media platforms provide opportunities for physicians to offer online consultations to their clients and as platforms to make patient appointments, (Hawn 2009). Moreover, doctors are using social media platforms to share information regards quandary situations and seek solutions from their peers, (Sarasohn-Kah 2008). There are various physician specific social networking sites such as Sermo, Doctors’ Hangout, Ozmosis and Doc2Doc, (Grajales 2014). These sites enable professional discussions to take place as well as sharing of medication reviews and latest treatment procedures and research. In addition, physicians and caregivers are utilizing social media to enhance compliance with medications and therapies among patient, (Sarasohn-Kah 2008). Even though there are many benefits that accrue to physicians who have adopted social media platforms to enhance health care service delivery, there are concerns regards social media usages by some physicians. These concerns arise, especially where the physicians use social media in a manner that presents adverse ramifications, such the potential for breach of patient privacy and confidentiality through the breach of patient-physician relationships, (Chretien & Kind 2013). Social media benefits on healthcare institutions Social media platforms have altered the nature and speed with which health care institutions and patients interact, (Moorhead et al. 2013). The preference to use social media as platforms to deliver health intervention programs emanates from their greater reach as most individuals have at least one or more social media accounts, (Vyas 2012). The frequency of use of social media sites is also high, making them ideal for rolling out interventions that seek to enhance information dissemination, (Vyas 2012). Various healthcare organizations have utilized social media sites to provide health promotion and health education to patients and the general public, (Hanson et al. 2011). Many healthcare organizations in the United Kingdom have adopted and use one or more social media platforms, (Hawker 2010). Similarly, most hospitals in the United States of America have established an online presence via one or multiple social media platforms, (Bennet & Glasgow 2009). Van de Belt et al. (2012) also report that all Western European countries utilize social media, albeit with significant differences between the countries they studied. These organizations use social media platforms to provide health interventions aimed at enhancing social support and influence desirable health outcomes, such as smoking cessation and responsible sexual behavior, (Hanson et al. 2011). Social media have provided healthcare institutions with an innovative platform through which they can reach groups that they may not easily access via traditional methods, (Chou et al. 2009). These groups include younger people, members from minority ethnic groups as well as other socially and economically disadvantaged groups, (Chou et al. 2009). The choice to use social media stems from there inherent capabilities such as private messaging, status updates, photo and video sharing, (Bennet & Glasgow 2009). In addition, most social media sites such as Facebook offer the option of forming private member group pages that are ideal for targeted information delivery. These capabilities make social media sites attractive platforms for reaching such disadvantaged and hard to reach groups. Besides, social media platforms have been found to penetrate a greater population size irrespective of one’s level of education, race or ethnic background, (Chou et al. 2009). Social media can also improve communication among hospital staff as well as facilitate collaboration and networking among them, (Drazen, Lorincz & Dahlweid 2012). In addition, social media have been used by a number of healthcare institutions to attract visitors to their websites, thereby assisting to build the hospital’s brand, (Grajales et al. 2014). Furthermore, many healthcare research institutions and drug manufactures are utilizing social media as a platform to recruit volunteers into clinical trials for research purposes, (Grajales et al. 2014). Moreover, manufactures of drugs are using social media platforms as sources of information regards the side effects of various drugs with the aim of making alterations, (Chou et al. 2009). Hospitals also use blogs to circulate disease-specific information to complement traditional communication channels such as patient leaflets and handouts, (Chou et al. 2009). Moreover, Social media presents new communication capabilities that may be leveraged to improve clinical education, (Chu et al. 2010). Such utilization has enabled medical training institutions to develop and offer courses that are appropriately designed to incorporate social media tools to enhance teaching and training, (Van de Belt al.2012). The benefits of social media usage among health care institutions further include their contribution to their marketing strategies, (Sarasohn-Kah 2008). Many healthcare institutions such as hospitals have successfully integrated social media platforms into their social marketing strategies, (Sarasohn-Kah 2008). Such marketing through social media helps to enhance hospital branding as well as advertise newest additions to their facilities such as new equipment and tests. Furthermore, healthcare institutions are increasingly using social media as a health surveillance tool to monitor response to various health interventions, as well as track and monitor disease outbreaks, (Grajales et al. 2014). Information gathered from such monitoring can be useful for informed decision making regards areas to which to direct more resources and efforts to enhance desirable health outcomes. Healthcare institutions are also utilizing social media sites to monitor patient feedback regards their experiences, and level of satisfaction with their services, (Drazen, Lorincz & Dahlweid 2012). Social media platforms have another inherent and essential aspect that makes them ideal for enhancing healthcare service delivery and communication, (Grajales et al. 2014). Such an aspect results because the majority of social networking sites allow for the creation and integration of third-party applications (apps), (Grajales et al. 2014). Social media allow outside software as well as data to visualized and integrated into their platforms through application programming interfaces (APIs). Healthcare institutions can use thematically centered apps on areas such as fitness and weight loss, on specific health conditions such as diabetes and cancer education as well as smoking cessation to achieve their desired outcomes, (Grajaeles 2014). Social media also allow for rapid communication and information exchange during times of crises, (Merchant 2011). Healthcare institutions are engaging social media to make emergency broadcasts during natural disasters, (Merchant 2011). Social media sites allow for the immediate and timely dissemination of relevant information to address and avert the effects of the crisis, (Chou et al. 2013). The presence of manifold media platforms and formats further make social media a useful tool during times of emergencies, (Chou et al. 2011). Platforms such as micro-blogs and social networking sites can be used depending on the preferences of the target population affected by a particular crisis, (Chou et al. 2009). Although the benefits of social media usage among healthcare institutions are many, there are concerns regarding the increased availability of distorted and inaccurate health-related information, (Chou et al. 2013). Such inaccurate information presents a risk since in most cases healthcare institutions are constrained in their ability to control the accuracy and type of content that is posted or discussed in social media, (Chou et al. 2013). Conclusion Social media platforms present a novel dimension to health care service delivery and communication. Social media provides a medium through which patients, healthcare institutions and physicians communicate regards various health issues. Its increased use provides an opportunity for the improvement of health care outcomes. Social media are a powerful tool that enhances collaboration between patients and healthcare providers. However, although the benefits of social media for enhancing health communication and service delivery are extensive, there is need to monitor the quality and trustworthiness of the information as well as the confidentiality and privacy of the patients. Reference List Bennett, G., & Glasgow, R. (2009). The delivery of public health interventions via the internet: Actualizing their potential. Annual review of public health, 273 Chou, WYS, Hunt, YM, Beckjord, EB, Moser, RP & Hesse, BW, 2009, ‘Social media use in the United States: implications for health communication.’ Journal of medical Internet research, vol. 11, no. 4, e48, Viewed October 31, 2014, Chou, WYS, Hunt, Y, Folkers, A & Augustson, E 2011, ‘Cancer survivorship in the age of YouTube and social media: a narrative analysis.’ Journal of medical Internet research, Vol. 13, no. 1, e7, viwed October 31, 2014, Read More