Social Media's Influence on Healthcare: Benefits and Challenges

This report delves into the significant impact of social media on the healthcare system. It highlights how social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, are utilized by healthcare providers and patients alike. The report discusses the benefits, including improved communication, patient engagement, and the ability to share health alerts and information. It also acknowledges the challenges, such as time constraints, professionalism concerns, and HIPAA compliance. The analysis underscores the importance of social media strategies for healthcare systems to reach target audiences, boost patient engagement, and improve health outcomes while addressing challenges. The report references several sources to support its findings and concludes that social media will continue to shape healthcare practices. This assignment is available on Desklib, a platform offering valuable resources for students, including past papers and solved assignments.

Running Head: HC
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Healthcare System
Social media in HC
(Student Details: )
1/10/2020

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Social media impacts on Health Care
Introduction
This discussion is based on research about the role of social media in the field of
health care (herein after referred as HC). In addition, this paper is going to recognize the role
and importance of social-media in the field of global health care. Besides, patients are
currently using social media for researching as well as making decisions specifically in
relation to the modern healthcare system (Evariant, 2019).
Social-media in HC
In the digital era, social media is known for opening up numerous opportunities for
health care systems (Referral MD, 2020). It is because social media often allows international
and national organizations to form connections, develop credibility and share discoveries as
thought leaders. According to Davenport (2014), healthcare and social media are effectively
collaborating in order to meet the requirements of HC providers and today’s patients. In
addition to that, social media is also taking a step towards focusing on an analytic model for
further evaluating the significance and role of social-media in HC (Ventola, 2014).
It has been found that social-media has 5 key stakeholder roles include physicians,
patients, payers, hospitals, and health information technology (IT) (Evariant, 2019). With the
help of social-media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, today’s healthcare systems and
physicians are now capable to share significant as well as relevant health alerts. Apart from
this, from the healthcare stakeholders’ viewpoint, social-media plays a key role in receiving
patients’ feedback and thereby bolstering their brand while focusing on building trust
(Ventola, 2014). In addition to that, social media allows medical experts to communicate with

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patients online in a way that physicians and hospitals can establish the foundations for
positive relationships. It has been found that social media platforms offer precisely targeted
ads for further assisting patients in personalized patient outreach (Tuten & Solomon, 2017).
As per the surveys and studies, it has been found that 80% of the internet operators
have been explored social-media platforms online for their healthcare information. Thus,
60% of the social media users showed their interest as well as trust for social media posts by
medical experts or doctors over social media platforms (Evariant, 2019). In this way, through
interacting and engaging with patients on social media platforms, the healthcare system is
revitalizing their word-of-mouth referrals, improved communication (Evariant, 2019). Apart
from this, social media is helpful for providing better healthcare by ensuring that patients are
getting assistance and care with constant engagement with the healthcare system. However,
there are some risks and challenges of social media in the healthcare system. These
challenges are time constraints, professionalism, and HIPAA compliance (Ventola, 2014).
Based on the above analysis, it can be said that social media has improved healthcare practice
and will continue to do that (Referral MD, 2020).
Conclusion
In whole, the significance of social media in the healthcare system has been explored
and identified. Undoubtedly, modern patients are using the Internet with social media
websites for taking control of their own health and wellbeing. The findings suggest that
healthcare systems must use social media strategies for reaching target audiences, boosting
patient engagement, as well as improving health outcomes while overcoming challenges like
privacy, professionalism, and time constraints.

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References
Evariant. (2019). The Role of Social Media in Healthcare: Benefits & Challenges. Retrieved
from Evariant: https://www.evariant.com/blog/the-evolving-role-of-social-media-in-
healthcare
Referral MD. (2020). Social Media's impact on the quality of Healthcare. Retrieved from
Referral MD: https://getreferralmd.com/2019/03/social-media-impact-on-healthcare/
Tuten, T. L., & Solomon, M. R. (2017). Social media marketing. UK: Sage.
Ventola, C. L. (2014). Social Media and Health Care Professionals: Benefits, Risks, and Best
Practices. PMC, 39(7), 491-499.