Question

Utilizing social media for any organization can be beneficial if implemented correctly. Research health care organizations in the U.S. You can look at any platform you choose. Give one example of poor use and one example of excellent use. Screen shots are welcome. Discuss what you like and don't like. What could be improved? Discuss if you think social media is beneficial in health care (why or why not). What mistakes do you think are common for health care organizations who use social media? What platform(s) do you think is most beneficial and why? What do you think the future between social and health care is?

Answer 1

Ques:Discuss if you think social media is beneficial in health care (why or why not). Discuss what you like

Ans:Yes, Social Media is beneficial in Health care.

Merits of social media in health care.

1)Professional Networking-The most popular social media sites for physicians are those where they can participate in online communities, listen to experts, and network and communicate with colleagues regarding patient issues.

2)Professional Education-The communication capabilities provided by social media are also being used to improve clinical education.

3)Organizational Promotion-Health care organizations, including hospitals, health systems, professional societies, pharmaceutical companies, patient advocacy groups, and pharmacy benefit companies, are using social media for many purposes

4)Patient Care-Although there has been a reluctance among HCPs(Health Care Professionals) to use social media for direct patient care, this practice is slowly being accepted by clinicians and health care facilities.

5) Patient Education-Social media can also improve patients’ access to health care information and other educational resources.

6) Public Health Programs-Social media have created vast global networks that can quickly spread information and mobilize large numbers of people to facilitate greater progress toward public health goals.

Ques:Discuss what you like and don't like.

Ans: Demerits Social Media

1) Poor Quality of Information- Authors of medical information found on social media sites are often unknown or are identified by limited information

2)Damage to Professional Image-A major risk associated with the use of social media is the posting of unprofessional content that can reflect unfavorably on HCPs(Health Care Professionals), students, and affiliated institutions.

3)Breaches of Patient Privacy-Concerns regarding the use of social media by HCPs(Health Care Professionals) frequently center on the potential for negative repercussions resulting from the breach of patient confidentiality.

4)Violation of the Patient–HCP Boundary-HCPs who interact with their patients on social media may be violating the patient–HCP boundary even if patients initiate the online communication.

5) Licensing Issues- The use of social media can also adversely affect an HCP’s credentials and licensure.State medical boards have the authority to discipline physicians, including imposing restrictions or suspending or revoking licenses.

6) Legal Issues- 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.

Ques:Example of excellent use of social media.

Ans:Social Media and clinical trials.

Most clinical trials use a large percentage of their budget and staffing for patient recruitment and enrollment—enrollment is usually the largest barrier to success in clinical trial work. Social media can help with spreading the word about a particular trial and connect patients with trial personnel. In addition, once enrolled, social media can be used for updates for subjects as well as investigators. Social media can also be a great source of support for subjects and can improve compliance. It is important to note that any advertisement of clinical trials in cyberspace and on social media outlets are subject to the same rules and regulations from the FDA as traditional advertising and media.

Ques:Example of poor use of social media.

Ans: One stark example of social media gone wrong in health care is the viral response to Ebola. While it is important to recognize the seriousness of the Ebola crisis, the online reaction to the first diagnosis of a case in the United States illustrates the ability of social media to perpetuate unwarranted fear and misinformation

Ques:What could be improved?

Ans:

In Patient care	Avoid providing specific medical advice to nonpatients. Make appropriate disclosures and disclaimers regarding the accuracy, timeliness, and privacy of electronic communications.
In Patient privacy	Avoid writing about specific patients. Make sure you are in compliance with state and federal privacy laws. Obtain patient consent when required. Protect patient information through “de-identification.” Use a respectful tone when discussing patients.
In Personal privacy	Use the most secure privacy settings available. Keep personal and professional profiles separate.
In Professional ethics	Disclose any in-kind or financial compensation received. Do not make false or misleading claims.
In Self-identification	Identify yourself on professional sites. Make sure that your credentials are correctly stated. Specify whether or not you are representing an employer.

Ques: What platform(s) do you think is most beneficial and why?

Ans: Other than social networking sites, blogs, microblogs, wikis, Virtual Reality and Gaming Environments are revolutionary and beneficial. Multi-User Virtual Environments (MUVEs) are three-dimensional environments that allow users to interact with each other through a virtual representation of themselves (known as an avatar). The application of MUVEs in health care is growing rapidly. They are increasingly being used for patient education, for the simulation of epidemiology and mass prophylaxis, for psychotherapy, for surgery, and for research.

MUVEs can be classified as general-purpose or health care–specific. The most well-known general-purpose MUVE is Second Life. This general-purpose environment, however, is often used for health care education.One study found 68 health-related virtual locations on Second Life.These included the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) education center, which aims to influence the real-life decision-making abilities of visitors. Health care–specific MUVEs are typically used for one purpose, such as medical education, surgical simulation, or psychiatric treatment.

Ques:What mistakes do you think are common for health care organizations who use social media?

Ans: Mistakes potentially affecting the safety and security of patient information, patient consent, employment practices, physician credentialing and licensure, the violation of HCP–patient boundaries, and other ethical issues.

Ques: What do you think the future between social and health care is?

Ans: In future use of social media in health care would increase tremendously. Use of telemedicine and virtual doctor visits are going to be mainstream in the next decade. These visits will be supplemented by social media channels and social media will be a critical part of the continuity of patient care. With rising healthcare costs and limited access to physicians, social media will allow doctors to “check in” on patients between office visits and will afford them with the opportunity to reinforce the discussions that occurred during the limited office visit time. Social media will be the place patient go to for information on doctors and hospitals and will be a major referral source for healthcare providers. It is vital that physicians engage now. Every healthcare provider has an online reputation and footprint whether he/she wants one or not. It is important that physicians actively engage in order to manage their online reputation rather than have it dictated for them.