Work

Dangers and Opportunities for Social Media in Medicine

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: Health professionals have begun using social media to benefit patients, enhance professional networks, and advance understanding of individual and contextual factors influencing public health. However, discussion of the dangers of these technologies in medicine has overwhelmed consideration of positive applications. This article summarizes the hazards of social media in medicine and explores how changes in functionality on sites like Facebook may make these technologies less perilous for health professionals. Finally, it describes the most promising avenues through which professionals can use social media in medicine-improving patient communication, enhancing professional development, and contributing to public health research and service.

Source: Clinical Obstetrics & Gynecology

DOI: 10.1097/grf.0b013e318297dc38

Authors: DANIEL R. GEORGE, LIZA S. ROVNIAK, JENNIFER L. KRASCHNEWSKI

Institutions: Pennsylvania State University, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Pediatrics and Genetics

Language: English

Topic: Social Media in Health Education

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Center for Research Resources, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences