The Impact of Social Media on Human's Health (Term Paper Sample)

The Impacts of Social Media on Human’s Health
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Contents TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u Introduction PAGEREF _Toc400629717 \h 2Method PAGEREF _Toc400629718 \h 2Results PAGEREF _Toc400629719 \h 3Social media use among patients PAGEREF _Toc400629720 \h 3Social media use among healthcare organizations PAGEREF _Toc400629721 \h 4Social media use among healthcare physicians PAGEREF _Toc400629722 \h 4Discussion PAGEREF _Toc400629723 \h 5Conclusion PAGEREF _Toc400629724 \h 6Reference List PAGEREF _Toc400629725 \h 8
Introduction
Social media sites are the most prevalent websites across the world, (Drazen, Lorincz & Dahlweid 2012). The increased use of social media across various age groups has raised concerns and provoked questions on its impacts on the health of people. Although there has been over-emphasis of the adverse effects of utilizing social media within the general public, there is evidence that social media can play an important role in promoting people’s health. The impact of using social media on people’s health spans across communication and information sharing. This report investigates and presents the positive impacts and potentially harmful outcomes of using social media on people’s health.
Method
An internet search was undertaken to retrieve information from various publications on the impacts of social media on people’s health using Google search engine. The search utilized key-word search, by searching terms such as healthcare, social media, positive effects, negative impacts and public health. The search was refined to include articles covering social media in Australia and published in the last ten years to ensure that only recent information related to the topic were analyzed. In addition, scholarly articles were searched in Google Scholar and studied. The study encompassed an overview of the abstracts of the journal articles to determine the relevance of the articles to the topic. The introductions of other publications such as health reports were also reviewed to determine their relevance to the topic. Other literature review used the references of previously published articles and reports on the topic.
Results
Social media use among patients
Patients are utilizing social media to seek health related information such as information on their diagnoses and treatment alternatives and disease management strategies, (Loh et al. 2012). For instance, in Australia, there is a patient networking site known as HealthShare. It enables patients to share advice on treatments as well as provide motivational and psychological support to one another, (Drazen, Lorincz & Dahlweid 2012). In addition, patients may turn to social media to obtain information on physician reviews, as well as healthcare institutions comparisons in terms of quality of services, (Loh et al. 2012). Several patients are turning to social media to express their dissatisfaction with poor quality services by some healthcare providers. Consumers and patients are increasingly posting comments and complaints in public forums and SNS where they are dissatisfied or aggrieved by some healthcare providers and physicians, (Drazen, Lorincz & Dahlweid 2012).
Social media use among healthcare organizations
Many healthcare organizations and healthcare products manufacturers are gradually turning to social media to further their communication and marketing objectives, (Drazen, Lorincz & Dahlweid 2012). Such objectives include the sharing of news, promotion of healthcare events and general public awareness campaigns. Social media presents a new forum through which healthcare providers can manage customer relations, promote their brands and protect their public reputation, (Loh et al. 2012). Healthcare organizations are keenly tracking mentions on popular social media sites in a determination to track their brands popularity, repair strained customer relations and protect their reputations, Drazen, Lorincz & Dahlweid 2012). Healthcare organizations are using social media sites to enhance collaboration, (Loh et al. 2012). Moreover, healthcare organizations are leveraging social media to advance and coordinate patient care and management, (Drazen, Lorincz & Dahlweid 2012). Others use social media to solicit volunteers for recruitment into clinical trials. Healthcare organizations can employ social media in times of emergencies and disasters. For instance, social media can be used to disseminate information on the availability of vaccines and immunization sites, (Loh et al. 2012).
Social media use among healthcare physicians
According to Drazen, Lorincz & Dahlweid (2012), social media utilization is gaining grip among healthcare physicians. Physicians utilize social media to provide health-related information and motivate their patients to adhere to recommended preventive behavior, (Uittenhout 2012). In addition, physicians use social media to guide and direct patients and interested individuals by posting links to websites with valuable health related content. Medical practitioners in Australia are also using professional networking sites such as e-HealthSpace to share information, consult on new treatment practices and communicate with their peers, (Drazen, Lorincz & Dahlweid 2012). Inapt use of social media among physicians and other medical professionals has the potential consequence of causing harm to patients and the medical profession. The consequences include breaches of confidentiality, defamation of colleagues or employers, and violation of doctor–patient boundaries, (Mansfield et al. 2011). According to Gold et al. (2012), the most efficacious example of the use of social media in Australia is in the area of sexual health communication. An example is the FaceSpace project. Physicians have also been found to utilize social media for personal rather than professional purposes. As Drazen, Lorincz & Dahlweid (2012) note, although the level of interactions among patients and physicians is minimal, instances of patients initiating contact and conversations on social media are becoming common.
Many companies in the healthcare industry have utilized social media to market their brands and healthcare products, (Mershon 2011). However, there are observable instance of miscommunication, erroneous as well as malicious posting of health-related information on social media sites, (Lau, Gabarron, Fernandez-Luque & Armayones 2012).
Discussion
Social media have enhanced communication and information sharing in the healthcare sector. They present opportunities and challenges for patients, physicians and healthcare institutions. Social media can be leveraged to provide health-related educative and promotional interventions so as to achieve effective behavioral change among patients, (Bennett & Glasgow 2009). However, research findings indicate that inappropriate engagement on social media can mutilate personal integrity, doctor-patient and doctor-colleague relationships and future employment opportunities, (Australian Medical Association 2013).
The use of social media among individuals includes the need to access emotional support, be motivated and seek advice from other social media users, (Uittenhout 2012). This use is made possible through the sharing of personal experiences with a particular health-related condition which effectively enhances social support and motivation for persons with similar conditions, (Keckley 2010). Physicians can post links to beneficial health-related content on social media to enhance accessibility of health information and collaboration among patients and physicians, (McMullan 2006).
Moreover, social media present potential flashpoints where ethical issues including breach of patient-doctor confidentiality and defamation can take place, (Loh et al. 2012). Similarly, negative health impacts of social media include high risks of cyber bullying, depression and low self-esteem, (Lau et al. 2012). These risks can degenerate into mental health and psychological breakdowns, (APS 2010). Another risk is enhanced sexting with potential health outcomes such a...