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Everyone is online. Facebook has around 700 million users while Twitter has 200 million users. It is a basic human desire to be able to connect, say what you feel and be heard, which is why social media at its truest sense is connection and communication. This is also the bare minimum of every relationship, doctor-patient relationships included.

Is it feasible then for doctors, hospitals, or any health related facilities to reach out to patients through social media? The answer of course is yes. Thanks to technology, like any normal consumer today, patients can also rely on social media outlets to choose the services they need. Kathy Smith, director of market development for Johns Hopkins Medicine, stated that “by actively engaging in social media, Johns Hopkins has the opportunity to reach audiences on a platform where they feel comfortable.” This is why the hospital is on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

According to asiadigitalmap.com, 80% of consumers in China conduct online research before consulting their doctors. Websites like http://www.hkdoctors.org/ allow patients to look for doctors through the web. It is because of this phenomenon that doctors have found the need to become more accessible online through blogs, personal websites and of course social networks, and yet maintain the ethical code required of those in the medical field like patient confidentiality and professionalism. A big percentage of doctors also research online to keep up with medical trends, which is why websites of health institutions such as CDC and NIH have been increasingly relevant worldwide. Online communities for health care professionals have been put up, such as DXY.cn in China where around 2 million doctors can converse and exchange knowledge regarding care and treatment of their patients.

Social media can then enhance patient care through the following:

1. Easier follow up. Because doctors are now easily reached, the need to return to the clinic just to simply report that the patient feels better is lessened. It is also easier for patients to be proactive about their health because knowing that their doctor is a tweet away encourages them to seek consultation.
2. Avenue for support. Online communities for patients such as PatientsLikeMe.com have gained popularity since it allows for shared experiences and gives patients the feeling that they are not alone in fighting their disease.
3. Lessens the communication barrier between doctors and patients. Since we are at an information age, doctors can easily disseminate proper medical information. Instead of discouraging patients to research about their symptoms, doctors should instead guide patients to make sure they get the correct information to ease patients into cooperation regarding their treatment and health care.
4. Avenue for doctors to promote wellness. Being online allows doctors to engage with their patients daily and encourage healthy living, which of course makes both doctors and patients happy.

Physicians and other health professionals should then be open to social media because it leads to better communication with patients and translates to better health care.

Sources:

http://www.asiadigitalmap.com/2011/11/weekly-webinar-social-media-in-the-healthcare-industry/
http://www.portfolio.com/industry-news/health-care/2010/08/12/hospitals-using-social-media-to-draw-new-patients/
http://mashable.com/2009/03/14/social-media-health/
http://www.ihealthbeat.org/perspectives/2010/social-media-in-health-care-barriers-and-future-trends.aspx

Author: Hannah