Question

What are some challenges researchers and health professionals face communicating with the media?

Answer 1

1)challenges researchers and health professionals face communicating with the media?

*INTRODUCTION:

*Social media are now providing a space to discuss medical conditions

outside of the healthcare providers’ office. Patients and their families

use social media technologies to share their experiences and their

findings and educate others with similar conditions. Social media

provides a forum for reporting personal experiences, asking questions,

and receiving direct feedback for people living with a disease. The

many uses of social media applications in health include: Access to

educational resources by health providers and patients.

*A major risk associated with the use of social media is the posting of

unprofessional content that can reflect unfavourably on HCPs, students, and affiliated

institutions. Physicians and other healthcare providers should not discuss patients’ illnesses,

medical conditions, or personal information online without the patients’ permission. Health

care providers also face limitations and barriers if they want to share patient health stories

using social media

*DIFFICULTIES FACED:

1. Poor Quality of Information

The main limitation of health information found on social media and other online sources is a

lack of quality and reliability.Authors of medical information found on social media sites

are often unknown or are identified by limited information. In addition, the medical

information may be unreferenced, incomplete, or informal. While evidence-based

medicine de-emphasizes anecdotal reports, social media tend to emphasize them, relying on

individual patient stories for collective medical knowledge. Similar problems exist with

traditional online media; however, the interactive nature of social media magnifies these

issues, since any user can upload content to a site. Social media users may also be

vulnerable to both hidden and overt conflicts of interest that they may be incapable of

interpreting.

2: Social media risks

Here are some dangers in using these relatively new platforms in healthcare.

• Message control

The speed at which messages can spread through the social media allows for a little time to

think, react, and control situations as could be done in traditional media. Therefore, it is

important to think carefully before posting any information. If unsure about the content of

your post, ask someone who can provide guidance. For example, the communication

department may be of help.

• Privacy and security breaches

Privacy and security are top consumer concerns when sharing their health information

through social media.

Healthcare providers should do the following when using social media

• Use privacy settings to protect personal information and content as far as possible.

• Monitor their internet presence to ensure that personal and professional information

published on their sites and content posted about them by others is accurate and appropriate.

Online actions and content can negatively affect the reputation with possible far-reaching

consequences on their medical career.

• Keep professional and appropriate boundaries when interacting with patients online and

ensure that patient privacy and confidentiality are maintained.

3: Damage to Professional Image

A major risk associated with the use of social media is the posting of unprofessional content

that can reflect unfavourably on HCPs, students, and affiliated institutions. Social media

convey information about a person’s personality, values, and priorities, and the first

impression generated by this content can be lasting Perceptions may be based on any of

the information featured in a social media profile, such as photos, nicknames, posts, and

comments liked or shared, as well as the friends, causes, organizations, games, and media

that a person follows.

4. Weaknesses in Health Care

Opponents of online social communities for patients argue that some patients may not

understand the limitations of the Internet. Some worry that because standards of care have not

been established for health information on social media Web sites, patients may be vulnerable

to false information provided for them online.

Patients need to fully understand that any advice provided on social media sites is limited by

the fact that it is not based on their individual medical history. At this point, guidelines that

explain to what extent physicians can provide care online and what they are liable for have

not been established or implemented.

Health care providers also face limitations and barriers if they want to share patient health

stories using social media. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

of 1996 ensures patient confidentiality, stating that physicians can use patient data without

their consent only for 3 purposes: ―treatment, payment, or health care operations.‖ Therefore,

HIPAA requires physicians to obtain patient consent before displaying information

anywhere, including public and restricted networks.

Legal Issues

The widespread use of social media has introduced new legal complexities. A number of

constitutional rights can be applied to the use of social media, such as freedom of speech,

freedom from search and seizure, and the right to privacy; however, these rights can be

successfully challenged.

Physicians and other healthcare providers should not discuss patients’ illnesses, medical

conditions, or personal information online without the patients’ permission. The permission

when obtained, should be clearly stated in the post. Use a disclaimer to state that the

posted opinions represent your own views, not those of your employer.

Legal cases should never be discussed on social media because most current case law dictates

that such information is ―discoverable.

Social media barriers

Though social media appears to be a very promising tool, there are several challenges:

• Return on investment barriers

• The social media should be treated like any other form of marketing, and success starts with

the identification of service lines with excess capacity and the development of a strategy to

fill them. An advantage of using social media tools is that it is mostly free, though it can take

significant staff time to engage. There are associated costs such as time spent by staff away

from work on other projects. However, well-planned social media projects can attract new

and loyal patients. A report by the research organization YouGov indicated that 57% of

consumers said that a social media connection with a hospital was likely to have a strong

impact on their decision to seek treatment at that hospital.

• Time barrier

• Time is valuable, especially for physicians and other healthcare providers. Trying to keep

up with every Twitter or Facebook update is timeconsuming and almost impossible. It is

better to organize incoming information and create lists that allow you to focus on certain

themes rather than read every update. For example, organize by specialty or level of

importance.

Do not try to do everything; address those societal needs that you think are most important, or

that motivate you. The use of social media during your free time undoubtedly brings added

responsibility, so using it to focus on issues that are relevant to you makes it easier to sustain

the effort