Impact of Social Media Use on Patients and Their Relationship with Healthcare Professionals

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.