Catherine Buck
Professor Leech
ENG2089
10/19/2015
The Role of Social Media in Creating a Healthier World
Social media has become so prevalent in today’s society that it is impacting almost every aspect of life. How media changes interpersonal communication, privacy, and education has been discussed at length at many levels. The changes social media is making on the world of medicine and healthcare have yet to be investigated at such length or depth. There have been many discussion on the reliability of online sources, and the general rule when it comes to medicine on the internet is to take everything you read with a grain of salt. However, the positives to social media and medicine, and the possibilities of how the online presence of medicine can positively impact the lives of people worldwide have yet to be fully explored. Developing a reliable and universally available online healthcare system would allow those without regular access to healthcare to obtain quick and cost-free medical advice.
In the event of natural disaster or outbreak of infectious disease, social media allows information to be spread quickly about conditions in the area, even from the opposite side of the world. Funds can be raised quickly through social media campaigns, allowing medical supplies, healthcare professionals, monetary donations, or even simply positive thoughts or prayers to be sent to people in need. Without the universal use of social media, people in situations such as tsunamis or drought would be left in isolation, or forced to rely on their neighbor, who many not be any better off. However, the advent of social media has provided international awareness and empathy for people in need. It has exponentially widened the reach of humanitarian aid.
In the United States and internationally, barriers often have to be overcome to obtain healthcare. Private or public healthcare can be very expensive, even with health insurance, preventing those with financial considerations from obtaining regular healthcare. Going to the doctor has become a last resort for many people, due to the cost. Healthcare online or on social media can help to alleviate this barrier. General advice on a wide range of conditions can be obtained from a variety of sources. Though some are certainly more reliable than others, many sites, such as one run by the Mayo Clinic, are run by legitimate healthcare professionals and provide up to date, sounds advice, free of charge. This advice, when obtained from reliable sources, can prevent visits to the doctor or hospital, saving patients money. Physical barriers also prevent patients from seeking the medical attention they need. Those without transportation or daytime availability due to job hours or other responsibilities generally have a difficult time making it to the doctor. Those living in rural areas or developing countries are also often faced with a lack of physical proximity to healthcare. With the prevalence of social media, now all it takes to obtain medical advice is an internet connection. This can prevent unnecessary visits or worry, and also indicate to patients how they can help themselves, or when they should seek medical attention from the source.
Even those fortunate enough to have physical and financial access to healthcare can benefit from the prevalence of healthcare information online. A visit to the doctor can entail calling weeks or even months before to set up an appointment, a long drive in city traffic, an even longer wait with People magazines from 2009 in a waiting room playing Fox News on three different TVs, an astronomical copay, a cold table, and a doctor who wants nothing less than to be in the office that day. More and more frequently, this ordeal is being replaced by a quick search on Google. The convenience of medicine online has allowed many patients to prevent unnecessary trips to the doctor, especially when the ailment is something minor or easily solved. Obtaining information online is convenient, fast, and cost effective.
A possible downside to obtaining medical information online is the frequently arising situation in which a medical professional is asked to provide advice without knowing the full medical history of a patient. For this reason, most of the advice provided on the internet would have to be somewhat vague. Healthcare providers cannot open themselves up to the potential lawsuits or the dangers of providing incorrect information as a result of incomplete files. For this reason, the most reliable advice on the internet regarding health will be vague and universally applicable.
Social media sites such as Skype, Facebook messages, and instant messaging such as texting can allow healthcare professionals to connect with patients quickly, easily, and frequently. These social media outlets could be utilized if a patient received a new diagnosis and has follow up questions, for a condition of concern, for diagnostic purposes, or after a procedure, among others. Doctor-patient communication is particularly importance in traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), such as concussions. After a concussed patient is sent home from the hospital or doctor’s office, it is important that they remain conscious and aware of their surroundings. An inability to do this can indicate something more critical in the brain. Healthcare professionals could utilize social media to check up on their patients and ensure that they are maintaining the appropriate level of consciousness and do not need to come back in to the hospital for further tests or treatment. Making sure TBI patients are alert and functioning is a role most often undertaken by family members, which can lead to stress and uncertainty. Using social media would allow healthcare professionals to take over this role, and allow their patients to remain at home resting while putting family members’ minds at ease.
However, these close and personal connections to medical professionals brings up the issue of privacy, specifically if medical information is being shared over the internet. One way to combat this is by using sites specifically designed for this purpose. For example, UC Health, as well as many other heath institutions, has a feature on their MyChart website in which messages can be sent to the nurse or doctor from the patient or vice versa. While updates on health or test results are available on this site, they can only be accessed by the prescribing physician or the patient, using a secure login. When using sites not designed to protect sensitive information, precautions can be taken to ensure privacy. For example, aliases can be used, making sure that details regarding health cannot be traced back to specific patients.
The mix of social media and medicine is also attempting to make a more informed public. It lends the masses the ability to recognize symptoms of a disease, which is particularly useful in the event of an outbreak. The public is able to recognize symptoms in themselves and others. For example, during the H1N1 flu pandemic in 2009, patients were able to recognize signs and symptoms of the disease and isolate themselves, preventing further spread of the disease. This prevention was made possible by mass postings by the CDC, WHO, and other health agencies in the United States and internationally. However, the downside to this awareness is the possibility for mass hysteria and panic in times of distress. When symptoms available on the internet, people to diagnose themselves with the outbreak of the moment despite little or no scientific evidence. For example, during the Ebola outbreak of 2014, in which the debilitating disease was mostly confined to a few West African nations, panic arose across America. Despite a total of three cases of the disease and one death in America, people across the country flooded the internet, looking for answers and reassurance. Because the Ebola virus has an initial symptom list similar to other, much more minor ailments, patients were quick to panic and diagnose themselves with Ebola, causing the panic to increase across the country. This situation is a prime example of an overabundance of correct information can cause misinformation when interpreted incorrectly, and shows how important it is to be cautious when researching medicine on the internet.
On the other hand, having an informed public can also be very positive. Over the past few years, government run and private health agencies have made a major push to share health related information through social media. Campaigns such as “truth” which aims to end smoking in teens have contributed through huge social media outreaches to bring the rates of teenagers who smoke down from 23% in 2000 to 8% in 2015 (“thetruth.com”). Another program that has seen success in part due to its massive social media outreach is the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, founded jointly by the US Department of Agriculture, the National Football League, and the National Dairy Council to empower youth to eat well and be active. This program has impacted more than 16 million children across the country, reaching such a wide audience through television advertisements, radio, and social media outlets such as their Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook accounts.
Professor Leech
ENG2089
10/19/2015
The Role of Social Media in Creating a Healthier World
Social media has become so prevalent in today’s society that it is impacting almost every aspect of life. How media changes interpersonal communication, privacy, and education has been discussed at length at many levels. The changes social media is making on the world of medicine and healthcare have yet to be investigated at such length or depth. There have been many discussion on the reliability of online sources, and the general rule when it comes to medicine on the internet is to take everything you read with a grain of salt. However, the positives to social media and medicine, and the possibilities of how the online presence of medicine can positively impact the lives of people worldwide have yet to be fully explored. Developing a reliable and universally available online healthcare system would allow those without regular access to healthcare to obtain quick and cost-free medical advice.
In the event of natural disaster or outbreak of infectious disease, social media allows information to be spread quickly about conditions in the area, even from the opposite side of the world. Funds can be raised quickly through social media campaigns, allowing medical supplies, healthcare professionals, monetary donations, or even simply positive thoughts or prayers to be sent to people in need. Without the universal use of social media, people in situations such as tsunamis or drought would be left in isolation, or forced to rely on their neighbor, who many not be any better off. However, the advent of social media has provided international awareness and empathy for people in need. It has exponentially widened the reach of humanitarian aid.
In the United States and internationally, barriers often have to be overcome to obtain healthcare. Private or public healthcare can be very expensive, even with health insurance, preventing those with financial considerations from obtaining regular healthcare. Going to the doctor has become a last resort for many people, due to the cost. Healthcare online or on social media can help to alleviate this barrier. General advice on a wide range of conditions can be obtained from a variety of sources. Though some are certainly more reliable than others, many sites, such as one run by the Mayo Clinic, are run by legitimate healthcare professionals and provide up to date, sounds advice, free of charge. This advice, when obtained from reliable sources, can prevent visits to the doctor or hospital, saving patients money. Physical barriers also prevent patients from seeking the medical attention they need. Those without transportation or daytime availability due to job hours or other responsibilities generally have a difficult time making it to the doctor. Those living in rural areas or developing countries are also often faced with a lack of physical proximity to healthcare. With the prevalence of social media, now all it takes to obtain medical advice is an internet connection. This can prevent unnecessary visits or worry, and also indicate to patients how they can help themselves, or when they should seek medical attention from the source.
Even those fortunate enough to have physical and financial access to healthcare can benefit from the prevalence of healthcare information online. A visit to the doctor can entail calling weeks or even months before to set up an appointment, a long drive in city traffic, an even longer wait with People magazines from 2009 in a waiting room playing Fox News on three different TVs, an astronomical copay, a cold table, and a doctor who wants nothing less than to be in the office that day. More and more frequently, this ordeal is being replaced by a quick search on Google. The convenience of medicine online has allowed many patients to prevent unnecessary trips to the doctor, especially when the ailment is something minor or easily solved. Obtaining information online is convenient, fast, and cost effective.
A possible downside to obtaining medical information online is the frequently arising situation in which a medical professional is asked to provide advice without knowing the full medical history of a patient. For this reason, most of the advice provided on the internet would have to be somewhat vague. Healthcare providers cannot open themselves up to the potential lawsuits or the dangers of providing incorrect information as a result of incomplete files. For this reason, the most reliable advice on the internet regarding health will be vague and universally applicable.
Social media sites such as Skype, Facebook messages, and instant messaging such as texting can allow healthcare professionals to connect with patients quickly, easily, and frequently. These social media outlets could be utilized if a patient received a new diagnosis and has follow up questions, for a condition of concern, for diagnostic purposes, or after a procedure, among others. Doctor-patient communication is particularly importance in traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), such as concussions. After a concussed patient is sent home from the hospital or doctor’s office, it is important that they remain conscious and aware of their surroundings. An inability to do this can indicate something more critical in the brain. Healthcare professionals could utilize social media to check up on their patients and ensure that they are maintaining the appropriate level of consciousness and do not need to come back in to the hospital for further tests or treatment. Making sure TBI patients are alert and functioning is a role most often undertaken by family members, which can lead to stress and uncertainty. Using social media would allow healthcare professionals to take over this role, and allow their patients to remain at home resting while putting family members’ minds at ease.
However, these close and personal connections to medical professionals brings up the issue of privacy, specifically if medical information is being shared over the internet. One way to combat this is by using sites specifically designed for this purpose. For example, UC Health, as well as many other heath institutions, has a feature on their MyChart website in which messages can be sent to the nurse or doctor from the patient or vice versa. While updates on health or test results are available on this site, they can only be accessed by the prescribing physician or the patient, using a secure login. When using sites not designed to protect sensitive information, precautions can be taken to ensure privacy. For example, aliases can be used, making sure that details regarding health cannot be traced back to specific patients.
The mix of social media and medicine is also attempting to make a more informed public. It lends the masses the ability to recognize symptoms of a disease, which is particularly useful in the event of an outbreak. The public is able to recognize symptoms in themselves and others. For example, during the H1N1 flu pandemic in 2009, patients were able to recognize signs and symptoms of the disease and isolate themselves, preventing further spread of the disease. This prevention was made possible by mass postings by the CDC, WHO, and other health agencies in the United States and internationally. However, the downside to this awareness is the possibility for mass hysteria and panic in times of distress. When symptoms available on the internet, people to diagnose themselves with the outbreak of the moment despite little or no scientific evidence. For example, during the Ebola outbreak of 2014, in which the debilitating disease was mostly confined to a few West African nations, panic arose across America. Despite a total of three cases of the disease and one death in America, people across the country flooded the internet, looking for answers and reassurance. Because the Ebola virus has an initial symptom list similar to other, much more minor ailments, patients were quick to panic and diagnose themselves with Ebola, causing the panic to increase across the country. This situation is a prime example of an overabundance of correct information can cause misinformation when interpreted incorrectly, and shows how important it is to be cautious when researching medicine on the internet.
On the other hand, having an informed public can also be very positive. Over the past few years, government run and private health agencies have made a major push to share health related information through social media. Campaigns such as “truth” which aims to end smoking in teens have contributed through huge social media outreaches to bring the rates of teenagers who smoke down from 23% in 2000 to 8% in 2015 (“thetruth.com”). Another program that has seen success in part due to its massive social media outreach is the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, founded jointly by the US Department of Agriculture, the National Football League, and the National Dairy Council to empower youth to eat well and be active. This program has impacted more than 16 million children across the country, reaching such a wide audience through television advertisements, radio, and social media outlets such as their Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook accounts.
An often overlook aspect of the connection of social media and medicine is the aspect of community. Social media is usually regarded as a detriment to interpersonal communication, with scientists citing a downslide in interpersonal skills with increased hours of screen time. However, for people with chronic, rare, or severe illnesses and their loved ones, online communities provide support and an aspect of community that the people physically around them cannot provide. Online groups for patients, parents, siblings, friends, and other loved ones allow people to better deal with their conditions, and feel a sense of belonging. They are a place for advice and tips on how to deal with diseases, a forum in which to share your story with people with a similar history. Online communities are a good way to communicate because health issues can be a very sensitive subject. Patients don’t always feel comfortable sharing details of health face to face, or in a way that their name can be connected to the symptoms or stories they are sharing. Often, it is easier to people to share if they can have an online profile not connected to their name or face, but connected to a safe, online community of people who have been though the same thing.
As society continues day by day to make the transition to online, it is inevitable that medicine will follow suit. While some danger lies in miscommunication and confusion of the masses on what constitutes a reliable source, medicine through social media has been making great strides and is responsible for many positive changes in the health of people across the world. Patients can connect with each other and with healthcare professionals, making medicine more convenient, accessible, and faster, as well as more cost effective. With the continuously improving system of medicine on social media, barriers preventing access to healthcare can be overcome.
As society continues day by day to make the transition to online, it is inevitable that medicine will follow suit. While some danger lies in miscommunication and confusion of the masses on what constitutes a reliable source, medicine through social media has been making great strides and is responsible for many positive changes in the health of people across the world. Patients can connect with each other and with healthcare professionals, making medicine more convenient, accessible, and faster, as well as more cost effective. With the continuously improving system of medicine on social media, barriers preventing access to healthcare can be overcome.