Social networks – The future for health care delivery

Abstract

• Health care information of value for improving health care is being assembled through digitally enhanced social networks• Social networking allows patients to control health information accrual without the constraints of traditional health care• The doctor-patient encounter is more influenced by information from social and professional networks than in the past• Social networking has the potential to change the pattern of health inequalities and access to health care• The stability of health care provision and the traditional role of professionals face challenges from social networking AbstractWith the rapid growth of online social networking for health, health care systems are experiencing an inescapable increase in complexity. This is not necessarily a drawback; self-organising, adaptive networks could become central to future health care delivery. This paper considers whether social networks composed of patients and their social circles can compete with, or complement, professional networks in assembling healthrelated information of value for improving health and health care. Using the framework of analysis of a two-sided network -patients and providers -with multiple platforms for interaction, we argue that the structure and dynamics of such a network has implications for future health care. Patients are using social networking to access and contribute health information. Among those living with chronic illness and disability and engaging with social networks, there is considerable expertise in assessing, combining and exploiting information. Social networking is providing a new landscape for patients to assemble health information, relatively free from the constraints of traditional health care.However, health information from social networks currently complements traditional sources rather than substituting for them. Networking among health care provider organisations is enabling greater exploitation of health information for health care planning. The platforms of interaction are also changing. Patient-doctor encounters are now more permeable to influence from social networks and professional networks.Diffuse and temporary platforms of interaction enable discourse between patients and professionals, and include platforms controlled by patients. We argue that social networking has the potential to change patterns of health inequalities and access to health M A N U S C R I P T A C C E P T E D ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT 2 care, alter the stability of health care provision and lead to a reformulation of the role of health professionals. Further research is needed to understand how network structure combined with its dynamics will affect the flow of information and potentially the allocation of health care resources.

Social Media in Healthcare

“…This explosion of content stretches human cognitive powers to their limits and makes it difficult for anyone to stay current [11]. Therefore, in the face of this extraordinary growth it is not surprising that patients are adopting social computing to manage information overload and augment knowledge so they can play a more empowered and active role in managing their health [9], [13], [15], [20], [22]- [25]. Uptake of social computing for health is reflected in the numbers.…”

“…The Comprehensive Model of Information Seeking (CMIS) suggests that differences in demographics, disease state and degree of social support, factor into information seeking behavior [40]. Other literature suggests that patient information seeking behavior is complementary [9], [20], rather than substitutive. That is patients do, for the most part, trust the medical system and their providers, but seek to augment or complement the information they receive from them and other traditional sources, such as books, friends and family, with information from the Internet.…”

Exploring mHealth Participation for Emergency Response Communities

“…During this same time period a patient would be capable of initiating emergency use of an ERC app to summon help. It is recognized that social networking has the potential to change patterns of health inequalities and access to health care, alter the stability of health care provision and lead to a reformulation of the role of health professionals (Griffiths et al, 2012). The study of mobile telephony and social networking's impacts on health care delivery is widespread but has been limited to the behavioural effects of information sharing (Shrank, Choudhry, Swanton, & et al, 2011), patient monitoring (Weitzman, Kelemen, Quinn, Eggleston, & Mandl, 2013), intervention and behaviour modification (Gold et al, 2012), and peer influencing, with a more recent focus on the day-to-day management of chronic conditions (Parmanto et al, 2013).…”

Shared Decision Making, Contextualized

“…24 Beyond payer-based programs, the continuing growth of online social networking will help patients participate more actively in decisons. 25 • When more intensive shared decision making is needed, how can we make it practical in an already crowded primary care workday? ,26,27 Many are recommending a team approach, 28 although careful thought must be given to which staff in evolving primary care models have sufficient knowledge, relationship, and continuity to integrate the biotechnical and the biographical.…”