Snapshot Survey to explore the use of Social Media related to health

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Snapshot Survey to explore the use of Social Media related to health

• IRAS ID

  222201

• Contact name

  Sunir Gohil

• Contact email

  sag06@ic.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Research Governance Manager, Imperial College London

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 0 months, 14 days

• Research summary

  This study will be a snapshot questionnaire which forms part of an Imperial College PhD looking at how social media (SoMe) can be used more effectively for patient feedback and interaction. The use of social media has grown in the past few years due to its ease of access. SoMe can be defined as “a group of Internet-Based applications that allow the creation and exchange of user generated content” [1]. There are different types of social media available, such as Facebook and Twitter which are growing in popularity [2].
  In recent years the use of social media by hospitals and health care professionals has grown significantly [3]. There has been some research done in the United States already looking into social media use and its implications for healthcare communication. However, no primary research has been conducted studying patients views of social media use for healthcare communication and exploring patient motivations, barriers and expectations in the UK. One study in the Netherlands conducted a descriptive study of 139 patients in the obstetrics and gynaecology department in 2013 [4]. They found there was disconcordance in patients’ and professionals’ motives use of SoMe in healthcare. The patients were recruited via SoMe which may have introduced bias. In 2012 a study conducted in the USA found that 56% of respondents to their survey wanted healthcare providers to use SoMe [5]. There is little research into usage behaviours of patient within the NHS with regards to health-related topics and the different types of medias. This study aims to address this and explore motivations, concerns and expectations for SoMe use.

• REC name

  West of Scotland REC 4

• REC reference

  17/WS/0057

• Date of REC Opinion

  24 Apr 2017

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion