This document discusses the use of social media in healthcare. It finds that affluent younger adults use social media to influence healthcare decisions, with sites like Facebook being popular. Social media can raise health awareness, empower patients, and provide real-time information. While some view social media as reliable, physicians are discouraged from direct interaction due to privacy and ethical concerns, though sharing research is allowed. Recommendations include modifying privacy rules and appealing for social media support.

1. Social Media and Healthcare Lesley Hewitt Final Project April 13, 2011

2. What is social media about in healthcare? Connection Collaboration Community Exchange of information

3. Who is using social media for healthcare information? Affluent, young adults – with an average age of 41 and household income of $75k plus 1 in 5 persons use social media to influence their healthcare decisions 1 in 4 respondents said social media was “very likely” or “likely” to influence their healthcare decisions

4. What social media sites are being used?

5. A few Facebook stats The American Cancer Society has more than 228,000 likes on its Facebook The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has about 82,000 likes on Facebook The American Diabetes Association has more than 72,000 likes

6. Benefits of social media use in healthcare Raise awareness about health issues Empower people to take charge of their health and be proactive Provide real-time health information

7. Is social media viewed as being reliable? On a scale of 1 to 5, 82.3% of people surveyed who used social media trusted the information on a level of 3 or higher 78.8% gave a level of 3 or higher to the likelihood of social media influencing their health care decisions Source: National Research Corp.'s Ticker Survey, February

8. Other healthcare resources

9. Can physicians use social media? The American Medical Association discourages physicians from socially interacting with patients on social media The Association has had policy, even before social media was an issue, that physicians should not practice medicine online with patients when there has been no previous face-to-face relationship

10. What some doctors are saying: “ NO; NO; NO; NO. To ensure that patients and their families have an active role in their own health care they need to make an appointment; and keep it!!” On Crowdsourcing: “This is when people without the credentials or experience provide a response to your question. The vast majority of these answers either have no factual basis, are completely off topic, or are merely self-serving attempts to steer the conversation.” "I do think, as a physician and a communicator, it's an ethical duty ... for everyone to contribute something to this massive pool of information -- where everyone is looking -- that is accurate information."

11. Challenges for physicians using Facebook and other social media sites Little guidance for physicians Time required to keep pages current and accurate Maintaining boundaries Confidential patient information and HIPPA laws/security concerns Ethical concerns

12. Recommendations Physicians can share what they consider quality research and educational material through twitter Appeal to the AMA for support of social media use Modify HIPPA rules to include social media sites

13. Recommendations contd. The hospital or physician practice simply acts as a host that brings the community together The community shares its expertise and experiences

14. References Ficarra, Barbara. (February 21, 2011). Power of Social Media: How the Medical Community is Embracing Social Media for Better Patient Care and Patient Engagement . http://healthin30.com/2011/02/power-of-social-media-how-the-medical-community-is-embracing-social-media-for-better-patient-care-and-patient-engagement/ Tony, Kristen. (April 9, 2011). Crowdsourcing Helps the Medical Community. http://dailycrowdsource.com/2011/03/20/technology/crowdsourcing-helps-the-medical-community/ Warren, Jimmy. (March 31, 2011) Healthcare Marketing: 1 in 5 Use Social Media to Make Healthcare Decisions. http://marketingyourhospital.com/ Digital Influence Index.com. http://digitalinfluence.fleishmanhillard.com/findings/

15. Delicious http:// www.delicious.com/hewittlesley

16. Twitter