Social media and digital technology are changing the way healthcare is provided and administered. Social media is quietly revolutionising the way patients and medical professionals communicate with each other.
healthcare social media
Here are our top 10 insights into healthcare social media
1. Peer to peer healthcare – 44% of consumers say the information they found on social media affects the way they deal with their health.
2. Young ones use it more – 18-24 year olds are two times more likely to use social media for health than 45-54 year olds for health related discussions.
3. The average US health user – is 35, 54% are male, 87% have a smartphone and 85% use social media for health.
4. Social media connections – 33% of US doctors have received a friend request from their patient, 75% declined the invitation.
5. Social health security – 63% of consumers are concerned their health information will be shared in public.
6. Doctors usage – 24% of US doctors use social media at least once a day to seek medical information.
7. Doctor profiles – social media usage is 24% higher among younger GPs, aged 26-55, in the US.
8. Support networks – Health Unlocked and Patients Like Me enable patients to share details of their medical conditions.
9. Social media networks – Facebook is the most popular social media network used by GPs followed by Google+, LinkedIn and Twitter.
10. Smartphone and tablets – a survey found 87% of healthcare professionals in UK hospitals use a smartphone or tablet, 66% of them use a mobile health app.
Patient-centred healthcare, social media and the internet have the potential to create a major shift in how patients and healthcare organisations connect. Social media has transformed advances in patient and healthcare professionals engagement. Share your social media examples by leaving a comment below or on Twitter.
