Implications of Age on Social Media Utilization in Healthcare Practice Development: A Focused Study of Healthcare Faculty and Students

• Published in: JMIR human factors 2021-05
• Main Authors: Marsh, Harrison, Almekdash, Mhd Hasan, Rossettie, Stephen, John, Albin, Pelham, Kassie, Magers, Brent
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2292-9495

Social media has revolutionized the way that people interact with each other and with businesses. Medical practices, which are businesses through which one or more physicians treat patients, have likely not yet taken full advantage of the reach of social media. This research study looked at data collected using an anonymous survey that was further supported by published literature in order to shed greater light on the possible opportunities for social media usage in medical practices. The study aims to assess the comfort and use of large, established social media platforms and provide actionable data for private practices and outpatient clinics, based on survey data from other health care professionals who have had experience in the field. The survey collected data from a diverse population of healthcare professional students, faculty, and physicians affiliated with Texas Tech University Health Science Center (TTUHSC). The data revealed social media usage across age groups, education levels, and occupations, and explored whether respondents within the health care system would be open to social media utilization to improve healthcare delivery. Therefore, this study demonstrated the opportunities of social media utilization from the perspective of those with experience in the field of medicine. This cross-sectional survey design, exploratory, descriptive investigation, was performed to better understand the benefits and challenges of current social media use in medicine and to explore effective utilization of these tools to bring further success for a medical practice. The possible benefits of the utilization of social media were assessed through data gathered from an anonymous, peer validated, Qualtrics survey created by the corresponding authors based on recommendations from a panel of experts made up of TTUHSC faculty and staff. The survey used a variety of question styles to measure differences between social media platforms including frequency of use, current and future implications in medicine, and comfort in a healthcare setting. The sample population included students, interns, faculty, and physicians all affiliated with the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Centers located throughout West Texas. By analyzing the data gathered from the survey, with support from already published literature, this research provides insights on efficient strategies of utilizations and the demand for social media in the medical field. The anonymous survey gathered da