IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA USE ON PATIENTS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
Main Article Content
Keywords
Social Media, Healthcare, Patient Outcomes, Interventional Studies, Clinical Trials, Digital Platforms
Abstract
Introduction: The pervasive influence of social media on various aspects of society has extended to healthcare, prompting an investigation into its impact on patient outcomes and relationships with healthcare professionals. This systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness of social media interventions in clinical settings, focusing on interventional studies and clinical trials conducted in the last decade.
Methods: The review strictly included interventional studies and clinical trials published from 2012 to 2022 that examined the effects of social media interventions on healthcare outcomes. A comprehensive search strategy was employed across multiple databases, adhering to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The selection process involved screening titles, abstracts, and full texts to identify studies that met the eligibility criteria, followed by a quality assessment of the included studies. The primary outcomes of interest were changes in patient knowledge, behavior, engagement, and health outcomes attributable to social media interventions.
Results: Seven studies were included in the final analysis, showcasing a range of social media interventions, including educational campaigns, peer support networks, and direct communication channels between patients and healthcare providers. The sample sizes varied from 30 to over 500 participants. Notable findings include a 15% reduction in adverse diabetes outcomes (risk ratio: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.75 to 0.97), a 30% increase in smoking cessation rates (risk ratio: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1 to 1.5), and improved mental health literacy (risk ratio: 1.2, 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.36). These results demonstrate the potential of social media interventions to positively influence health behaviors and outcomes
Conclusions: Social media interventions offer a promising avenue for enhancing patient care and outcomes in clinical practice. The review highlights the variability in effectiveness across different health conditions and interventions, underscoring the importance of tailored approaches.
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Amjad Mohammed Alqahtani
Dental Technology Specialist, Dental clinics complex east of Riyadh-Riyadh
Mohammed Jarallah Al Bueid
Dental hygienist, Dental center in East Riyadh, Riyadh
Ali Shaher Alqahtani
Dental technician, Dental clinics complex east of Riyadh, Alriadh
Abeer Saeed Alanezy
Nursing, Granada Health Center Ministry of Health, Riyadh city
Lara Khalid Alhajlan
Pharmacist, Second cluster in Riyadh( king fahad medical city hospital) Riyadh
Abeer Mosbeh Alkhaldi
Pharmacist, PHCC, Second cluster Riyadh
saleh abdalaziz alaraj
Second cluster in Riyadh Riyadh
Riyadh Abdulaziz Alanazi
Radiology, Riyadh Specialized Dental Cente