Many U.S. residents are turning to Facebook for medical information, according to a recent National Research Corporation survey, the Dayton Business Journal reports.
The survey of nearly 23,000 U.S. residents found that 41% of respondents reported using social media as a health care resource. Of those, 94% said they use Facebook to find health information, such as health education videos, and diet and exercise tips.
For example, CDC's Facebook page -- which has more than 80,000 fans -- features smoking cessation and diet tips, and statistics on prescription drug-related deaths.
Facebook pages are more interactive than traditional organization websites.
Bob Jackson -- network manager of corporate communications for Kettering Health Network, which has a Facebook page with nearly 800 fans -- said the social networking site allows patients to ask questions and share their opinions.
Facebook lets patients connect to other patients with similar illnesses, ask their health care providers questions and provide feedback about health care facilities, the Business Journal reports.
Despite the benefits of Facebook, some health care professionals have raised concerns about inaccurate health information on the social networking site.
Jackson said, "People do need to be [wary] of taking health information from people they don't know," adding, "And of course, a health care provider can't provide diagnoses over social media. People still should engage in seeing their physicians" (Hart, Dayton Business Journal, 3/21).
The survey of nearly 23,000 U.S. residents found that 41% of respondents reported using social media as a health care resource. Of those, 94% said they use Facebook to find health information, such as health education videos, and diet and exercise tips.
Use of Facebook as a Health Care Resource
Many health agencies and health care providers have launched Facebook pages to provide consumers with better access to health information.For example, CDC's Facebook page -- which has more than 80,000 fans -- features smoking cessation and diet tips, and statistics on prescription drug-related deaths.
Facebook pages are more interactive than traditional organization websites.
Bob Jackson -- network manager of corporate communications for Kettering Health Network, which has a Facebook page with nearly 800 fans -- said the social networking site allows patients to ask questions and share their opinions.
Facebook lets patients connect to other patients with similar illnesses, ask their health care providers questions and provide feedback about health care facilities, the Business Journal reports.
Potential Drawbacks
Despite the benefits of Facebook, some health care professionals have raised concerns about inaccurate health information on the social networking site.
Jackson said, "People do need to be [wary] of taking health information from people they don't know," adding, "And of course, a health care provider can't provide diagnoses over social media. People still should engage in seeing their physicians" (Hart, Dayton Business Journal, 3/21).
Read more: http://www.ihealthbeat.org/articles/2011/3/21/us-patients-turn-to-facebook-for-health-information-needs.aspx#ixzz1HciCGDgo
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