The impact of social networking on healthcare has undeniably improved the quality of healthcare significantly. The social media platforms have revolutionized operations in the healthcare sector where doctors, physicians, nurses, and all the other healthcare stakeholders interact and share educative information. According to Anorld(2018), 60% of doctors view social media as an effective platform where they can offer better health care services to patients. There are some social media platforms including; Twitter, Facebook, Instagram among many others that are used as tools of communicating. However, Facebook is the most popular social media platform that can be used to reach large masses because of its enormous number of users. Therefore, due to its large presence users, Facebook can be a perfect platform for interaction between healthcare professionals and patients hence improving healthcare outcome.
Facebook can also be used as an education platform whereby if appropriately utilized, current and aspiring healthcare professionals can share important information about healthcare thus improving their knowledge. An advantage about Facebook is the fact that healthcare professionals can create discussion groups where challenging topics touching on healthcare can be discussed and solutions provided by experts. Most of the social networking sites were invented primarily to connect people around the world. Most users use social media as tools of social interaction and information sharing purposes. However, according to Ventola (2014), 65% of physicians utilize them for professional purposes.
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Patients use Facebook to seek healthcare services from professionals who have built a reputation via the social media platform. When patients are satisfied with the kind of medication they get from a health facility, they write reviews about the services they received on Facebook thus, creating an overview image of the healthcare facility. This may attract or deter healthcare seekers depending on the reviews or comments provides.
Generally, Facebook is an effective platform for communication. Healthcare professionals can use it to share ideas as well as market their services to large masses. Physicians should use the platform wisely for professional purposes. However, healthcare professionals should be careful not to violate the HIPAA regulations that prohibit them from sharing the patient’s information with the third parties without their consent.
References
Arnold, A. (2018). Can Social Media Have A Positive Impact On Global Healthcare? Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewarnold/2018/06/05/can-social-media-have-a-positive-impact-on-global-healthcare/#d4e399418a01
Ventola, C. L. (2014). Social media and health care professionals: benefits, risks, and best practices. Pharmacy and Therapeutics , 39 (7), 491.
