Use Of Social Media In Nursing: Pitfalls And Opportunities

Two registered professional nurses are attending a meeting where the focus is examining teaching methods that enable them to share information with newly diagnosed diabetic patients. One nurse initiates a discussion on the use of social media in teaching patients and the use of social media for all health care providers.

1. Discuss actions the nurse should take before using social media as a teaching tool.

2. What types of social media could benefit health care providers and patients?

3. What are the pitfalls to utilizing social media for both patients and health care providers?

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A method to share and transmit information to a far-reaching audience

Use of social media is on the rise (see Box 13.1)

A method to engage with that audience to:

Improve health outcomes

Enhance knowledge

Affect health care policy

Social Media #2

Promote causes and raise money

Stay connected to other nurses

Participate in professional organizations

Inform patients and caregivers and the public

Communicate with patients and colleagues

Perform research

Types of Social Media

Social Networks

Virtual network, virtual communities, or online communities—all designated platforms that give others access to groups of people outside their geographical boundaries

They provide a supportive environment. E.g., Facebook—public and closed groups

Social Bookmarking Sites

Search, organize, individualize, and comment on Web pages of interest

Digg.com

Stumbleupon

Social News

Similar to Bookmarking, but helps users find top relevant news articles

Links are organized, posted, and voted upon with the most popular links at the top of the list.

Media Sharing

A software platform where users share

Photos/videos and other social components. E.g., YouTube

Most utilized form of media sharing

Microblogging

Media platform where users can post short comments and links to their “wall”

E.g., Twitter

Must have a “handle”

Hashtag

#WeNurses

#HCLDR

Virtual Worlds

Computer-generated simulated settings where users can

Manipulate elements

Interact using an avatar

Purchase goods and services

Nursing has successfully used virtual worlds to educate nursing students in public health and even a simulated birthing center

Question #1

Is the following statement true or false?

Microblogging is a social media platform where users can post short comments and links to their “wall.”

Answer to Question #1

True

Microblogging is a social media platform where users can post short comments and link to their “wall,” where others can view or follow their comments.

True. Microblogging is a social media platform where users can post short comments and links to their “wall”.

Wikis

Allow multiple users to post Internet-based content, modify content, and create online communities

E.g., Wikipedia

While it is dynamic, it has open structure that can be modified or authored by any user

Blogs (Weblogs)

A place where individuals can write comments or forums about the topic of their choice

Usually focused on one specific topic area that promotes discussion and engagement

E.g., WordPress

RTConnections

Digital Doorway

Social Media Use by Patients (How Nurses Can Support Patients)

Empower patients in educating themselves with social media

The rise of the e-patient to seek out:

Current evidence

Engage others

Collaborate

Trustworthy sources of online information