practicalponderings-blog

[practicalponderings-blog]

The researchers pursued a social media campaign through social media, because the evidence points to that means as a highly used means of communication: “Although [Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc] are primarily used to communicate with social networks, the increasing amount of time individuals spend in these settings suggests that health organizations need to develop effective strategies for reaching individuals in these spaces, whether delivering interventions or using these sites to promote interventions delivered elsewhere.”  However, they point out, there are more than 900 million facebook pages! You could have the most fabulous FB ever, with plenty of followers, but if the followers are not the target audience, and if you are not reaching the target audience, then that health information, on that fabulous facebook page is, well... kinda worthless. So, how do you ensure reaching your target audience? The researchers suggest forming a team, of experts, in all the pertinent areas. This includes, how to use filters, tracking, and advertising to ensure the information gets into the target audience’s “hands.” How do you search for health FB pages? What keeps you engaged with that page?

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This webpage highlights another question I have about healthcare information on social media. Do people understand the information they are reading? Have they accessed a site intended for other health care professionals, rather than consumers, in their search for practical information to better manage their own health? Have you ever searched a health question online and found the information to be too dense to absorb? I have. I usually click away from that page, looking for more graspable information. According to the AHRQ powerpoint on literacy strategies (see below), it is important to gauge understanding after sharing important health teaching. They recommend “teach back”: having the patient “teach” the teacher, in their own words and understanding. This method demonstrates their grasp of the information and of their responsibility, now, with that health information.  This is not an option with health information accessed online. However, social media venues often have multiple users willing to share their take on health information, adding to understanding. Thoughts?

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I had no idea there such a thing as a map highlighting recent outbreaks of anything from flu to rashes to menigitis! How does it work? In their own words: “Through an automated process, updating 24/7/365, the system monitors, organizes, integrates, filters, visualizes and disseminates online information about emerging diseases in nine languages, facilitating early detection of global public health threats.” This seems to be a valid tool to use after my initial Wikipedia search of some specific symptoms. This could help determine if there is an outbreak of flu in my area. I think many would be tempted to self-diagnose if my symptoms matched the “outbreak.” Would you call a doctor after a self-diagnosis? Especially if you see an “outbreak” in your area?

[practicalponderings-blog]

This researched article further explores the idea that our simple health information searches are tracked, in the name of public health. At first reading, I did not agree that tracking WIKIPEDIA would be a valid method of tracking, say, flu outbreak. But someone with limited baseline understanding of the signs and symptoms of the flu would start with a simple definition: wikipedia. They would follow that general understanding (cough and fever as signs of respiratory flu) to dig a little deeper in searching for “how to treat flu” or “when to see the doctor, with flu.” All this searching reminds me of my privilege to be in an age of information access. That being said, those without financial or physical access to the internet/computers would not have this “information at their fingertips” and, therefore, those global trackers would miss an outbreak of disease in an area without or with limited access. Is Wikipedia a valid epidemic tracker?

[practicalponderings-blog]

Data mining programs like HealthMap monitor searches using algorithms to help predict (or monitor for) outbreaks of disease. These sites are credited for seeing a potential Ebola outbreak NINE DAYS before the most recent outbreak in Guinea. Similar to this, the Health Department monitors sites like Yelp for customers reporting getting sick after eating at a restaurant: multiple reports from the same restaurant warrant further investigation. This data mining has fabulous implications for public health. But does anyone feel a little more leery about the fact that "someone" is monitoring my every social media move??

[practicalponderings-blog]

This in-depth research project  from the Health Research Institute in 2012, provides large amounts of data on the use and impact of social media. Consumers are reading health reviews on products and medications, as well as, experiences with providers and health systems, among other topics. 

“​Liking, following, linking, tagging, stumbling: social media is changing the nature of health-related interactions.”  One consumer’s testimonial told how she was waiting in the ER for a prolonged time, tweeted about it (and her friends all responded and shared her experience in real time). A representative from that hospital came to talk with her, in the ER! She was praising the hospital for “listening.” Not all hospitals are so in touch. But that was an excellent example, not of health seeking, but of health sharing and positive outcomes related to monitoring of social networks. 

http://www.pwc.com/us/en/health-industries/health-research-institute/publications/pdf/health-care-social-media-report.pdf

[practicalponderings-blog]

This article discusses two types of social media users (related to health information): "online diagnosers" and "online health seekers." It reminds us that people have always sought to self-diagnose (and treat) at home, now they have the internet at their disposal for research and confirmation. I have often “done some research” online to see if I need to be seen by a medical professional (self-diagnoser). I have also researched complications and medication side effects for myself and family (online health seeker). The key here, is where is that search directed: to a general search engine or to a dedicated health information site. This article says the majority (77%) of searchers/diagnosers started their search on search engines. In 2013, only 13% sought specified sites to intiate their health search and 2% started at Wikipedia-type sites.

[practicalponderings-blog]

I liked this short informative article. It targets health professionals with guidance on how to create informative social media sites, but I think this quote is key to our discussion:  “ In the world of healthcare, second opinions and even third opinions are highly valued by patients, and so it is the same with the content they find online. Readers who want to learn more about a particular health issue, for instance, are likely to seek out several sources for their peace of mind.” THIS is why we search and seek on social media. Do you agree?

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Facebook and Twitter have come a long way in reguards to privacy settings. But are consumers utilizing these security settings? And I find it ironic that people share SO MUCH on these social media sites, but are concerned about security and privacy with their health information. Not wrong, just ironic. To be fair, people do share a different kind of information behind the closed door of their doctor’s office. What are your concerns with using social media as a part of your healthcare?

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Many seek online support only when they or a family member are in a health crisis. The study found that a large portion of social media users are relatively healthy and do not have a primary care provider. This study found social media to be the most effective way to disseminate healthy living information to a large number of people who, otherwise, have no personal access to healthcare, either by choice or socioeconomic status.

[practicalponderings-blog]

While this site from the CDC does not address my question of how we are using social media to access health information and healthcare, it does, by default prove that we are using social media to access information. The CDC dedicated over 3 years in the making of this site and the information it provides, freely, to health care providers (to anyone, really). The site offers a social media toolkit, complete with advice on how to write for social media.  So we are accessing health information; that is no longer in question. But what do we do with that information? More to come...

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This article from Wired Magazine talks about the great potential cost-effectiveness and timeliness of care with telemedicine, for both patients and providers. However, this service, intended for rural, older, and, often, more debilitated patients, is being utilized by younger, more tech-savvy patients. That is not bad, but those who need the service are using the health system doubly. They are calling the telemedicine line for consultation AS WELL AS seeing their regular provider. This increases the cost of healthcare, when a patient is seen twice for the same problem. It also makes me wonder if these “double-dippers” are distrustful of telemedicine. Would you be willing to be “seen” over the phone?

[practicalponderings-blog]

Are you concerned your DIY health will be a fail?

Who knew there would be such a thing? Everything is Google+able or Youtube-able, why not DIY healthcare? What are your concerns about DIY health? For me, many of my DIY projects have ended up on a fail list somewhere (FYI, talking about diy fails lead me on a "quick" search, just for a chuckle). That being said, DIY healthcare has me a little bit leary. Thoughts?

http://www.mobihealthnews.com/39747/pwc-predicts-diy-healthcare-will-be-the-top-trend-of-2015

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Can social media change YOUR life?

Please watch! I could not believe that this popped up on my personal FB just last week: so apropos. (I knew this professor when we were in high school). She talks about how she dealt with anxiety and depression through art journaling and sharing through Instagram. What do YOU think about her ideas? Could they work for you or someone you love going through recurrent depression and persistent anxiety?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyzSLdCYpUc

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So my company offers health incentives. What’s in it for ME??

What images, apps, messages, and/or incentives encourage you to improve or maintain YOUR health? The following article recounts a keynote from Humana (a major health insurance company)'s CEO in 2015. He is speaking to fellow businessmen, as well as healthcare care providers, encouraging a drastic change in the way healthcare and reimbursement (to providers) is managed. He speaks truth when he states that CONSUMERS of healthcare need to be more involved with their OWN healthcare. He mentions incentives. My current health insurance plan offers a cash deposit into my health savings account, simply for see my PCP annually. My previous employer offered a monthly discount off my insurance premiums if I did a "biometric screening" annually. Additionally, I received points I could redeem for cash for excerise activities, as well as for keep my "biometrics" in a normal range (blood pressure, blood sugar, BMI, and no smoking). Needless to say, this $ incentive moved me to make healthier choices for the sake of my pocket book.....What images, apps, messages, and/or incentives encourage you to improve or maintain YOUR health?

https://www.healthcare-informatics.com/article/humana-ceo-bruce-broussard-time-change-business-models-and-move-towards-value-based-payment-

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What is“peer-to-peer” health?

I found a quick article that speaks to "peer-to-peer healthcare." It states that, in general, we still seek care from traditional healthcare providers. But, in addition to this, many seek help and advice from others struggling with the same conditions (diabetes or hypertension) or with the same health goals (lose weight or run a half-marathon). Check out the author's infographic! When I trained for a half-marathon several years ago, I devoured running blogs and pinterest boards, seeking as much information as possible as a I prepared my mind and body for 13.2. How have you used social media, on a peer-to-peer level, to learn from others' experience in your own health or physical journey?

http://www.pewinternet.org/2011/08/02/peer-to-peer-healthcare-3/

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Fake Information! How does the fear of misinformation effect your health searches online?

This article is a complication of experts reacting to the "fake news" epidemic online. They were asked to share whether the "information environment" would worsen or improve. Their reactions: 49% said the "information environment" would get better. 51% said this problem would not see improvement. Take a minute to read through a few of these quotes. I verbally reacted to some of them as I realized my personal responsibility in sifting and sorting the information I access on the internet. These ideas have a direct correlation to ALL of our information seeking, especially, for my area of interest, health informations. How did YOU react to these "expert opinions"?

http://www.pewinternet.org/2017/10/19/shareable-quotes-from-experts-on-the-future-of-truth-and-misinformation-online/