Harnessing the power of social media (SM) in Healthcare communications: an anonymous survey
Social media has evolved as a versatile platform for social and professional communications. Many of the government as well as healthcare institutions are transitioning to the technology to encompass the revolutionary platform for effective dissemination of information. People seldom access emails, especially busy professionals such as clinicians; hence emails might not be an effective tool for broadcasting emergency/important information as a timely action is uncertain. This cross sectional study will survey the clinicians at Institute of Mental Health (IMH) to collect preferences and patterns of email/social media use, frequency and feedback, in an …show more content…
The visibility and transparency of the health care organisations are greatly impacted by the SM coverage, thereby attracting consumers, according to a study (Peck, 2014). Web chat services are popular choices among patients who seek help for their medical conditions such as smoking session and addiction (Schaub et al., 2015). Stewart and Abidi reviewed the utility of knowledge sharing among healthcare staff in different healthcare institutions through a web based platform and suggested an active, healthy discussion by health care professionals with nurses dominating the social network platform (Stewart & Abidi, 2012). According to a study by Cardona and Marshall those aged between 21-30 yrs. are more likely to communicate with their colleagues through SM (57%) in organisations hosting social network. Among the same community 71% use SM platform to share documents (Cardon & Marshall, 2015). However, the authors conclude that SM is unlikely to replace the traditional system of communications such as email. The study showed that 42% of the employees considered SM as effective in communicating with the team members while 83% considered email as the supreme mode of communication (Cardon & Marshall, …show more content…
Personality traits of individuals often determine utilisation patterns of SM (Correa, Willard Hinsley, & de Zúñiga, 2010). Age and gender can be other factors determining their approach towards SM. SM offers a new platform for official communications that can be leveraged to improve transmission of information within institution more efficiently. Prudent use of such media can promote communication within the health care institutions. Traditional methods might not fit the busy schedule of the clinicians and thus relevant information can be delayed or lost. The semantics of SM can be tested in this context. The foremost step in the process involves gathering patterns and preferences of communications and SM use among healthcare professionals to analyse which medium is acceptable and feasible for such communication
Social media has evolved as a versatile platform for social and professional communications. Many of the government as well as healthcare institutions are transitioning to the technology to encompass the revolutionary platform for effective dissemination of information. People seldom access emails, especially busy professionals such as clinicians; hence emails might not be an effective tool for broadcasting emergency/important information as a timely action is uncertain. This cross sectional study will survey the clinicians at Institute of Mental Health (IMH) to collect preferences and patterns of email/social media use, frequency and feedback, in an …show more content…
The visibility and transparency of the health care organisations are greatly impacted by the SM coverage, thereby attracting consumers, according to a study (Peck, 2014). Web chat services are popular choices among patients who seek help for their medical conditions such as smoking session and addiction (Schaub et al., 2015). Stewart and Abidi reviewed the utility of knowledge sharing among healthcare staff in different healthcare institutions through a web based platform and suggested an active, healthy discussion by health care professionals with nurses dominating the social network platform (Stewart & Abidi, 2012). According to a study by Cardona and Marshall those aged between 21-30 yrs. are more likely to communicate with their colleagues through SM (57%) in organisations hosting social network. Among the same community 71% use SM platform to share documents (Cardon & Marshall, 2015). However, the authors conclude that SM is unlikely to replace the traditional system of communications such as email. The study showed that 42% of the employees considered SM as effective in communicating with the team members while 83% considered email as the supreme mode of communication (Cardon & Marshall, …show more content…
Personality traits of individuals often determine utilisation patterns of SM (Correa, Willard Hinsley, & de Zúñiga, 2010). Age and gender can be other factors determining their approach towards SM. SM offers a new platform for official communications that can be leveraged to improve transmission of information within institution more efficiently. Prudent use of such media can promote communication within the health care institutions. Traditional methods might not fit the busy schedule of the clinicians and thus relevant information can be delayed or lost. The semantics of SM can be tested in this context. The foremost step in the process involves gathering patterns and preferences of communications and SM use among healthcare professionals to analyse which medium is acceptable and feasible for such communication