Work

Use of Social Media by Health Science Degree Students in the Field of Organ Donation and Transplantation

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Health professionals and institutions, as users and influencers, use social networks to disseminate information and knowledge about health issues, in the case of organ donation and transplantation (ODT) to spread the social benefits of the process and increase the positive attitude towards ODT. The aim of this work was to analyse the perception and use of social networks by university students of health sciences to determine whether, in their opinion, social platforms are suitable for the promotion of ODT after participating in an educational programme specialising in ODT and communication. The students indicated that social networks are a good medium for disseminating messages about ODT, with WhatsApp standing out as the most appropriate after the programme. Eighty-six per cent say that social media can positively influence the attitude towards ODT and 65% have started to follow ODT institutional accounts on social media. Addressing communication in specialisation programmes in the field of health and ODT raises awareness of the responsible use of social media among university health students and strengthens their capacity as prescribers of the social benefits of ODT.

Source: Journalism and Media

DOI: 10.3390/journalmedia6030113

Authors: Javier Almela-Baeza, Cristiana Ferrigno, Beatriz Febrero

Institutions: Universidad de Murcia, University of Messina, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca

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: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,207