Implications of Age on Social Media Utilization in Healthcare Practice Development: A Focused Study of Healthcare Faculty and Students (Preprint)
BACKGROUND Social media has revolutionized the way that people interact with each other and with businesses. Medical practices have yet to take full advantage of the reach of social media. This research study looked at data collected using an anonymous survey that was further supported by published literature in order to shed greater light on both the possible opportunities for social media usage in medical practices as well as the challenges of implementing it appropriately. The survey collected data from a diverse population of healthcare professional students, faculty, and physicians affiliated with Texas Tech University Health Science Center (TTUHSC). The data revealed social media usage across age groups, education levels, and occupations. Results from age group data was further examined in order to develop recommendations for burgeoning practices. Within this focus, the survey explored whether respondents, many of whom work within the health care system, would be open to social media utilization to improve healthcare delivery. Therefore, this study demonstrated the benefits, challenges, and opportunities of social media utilization when growing a medical practice. OBJECTIVE This cross-sectional survey design, exploratory, descriptive investigation, was performed to better understand the benefits and challenges of current social media use in medicine and to explore further innovations in the utilization of these tools to bring further success for a medical practice. METHODS The possible benefits and challenges of the utilization of social media were measured through data gathered from an anonymous, peer validated, Qualtrics survey created by the corresponding authors based on recommendations from a panel of experts made up of TTUHSC faculty and staff. The survey used a variety of question styles to measure differences between social media platforms including frequency of use, current and future implications in medicine, and comfort in a healthcare setting. The sample population included students, interns, faculty, and physicians all affiliated with the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Centers located throughout West Texas. By analyzing the data gathered from the survey, with support from already published literature, this research provides insights on efficient strategies of utilizations and the demand for social media in the medical field. RESULTS The anonymous survey gathered data from a sample size of 679 individuals spread out among different age groups predetermined at the beginning of the study. The data includes 153 respondents between the ages of 18-25, 174 between the ages of 26-35, 134 between the ages of 36-45, 106 between the ages of 46-55, and 112 between the ages of 56-89. In addition to the wide distribution of ages, the sample population also has a wide variety of educational achievements. The respondents were grouped based upon the highest level of education attained and this included 23% of respondents that earned a high school diploma, 42% that earned a bachelor’s degree, 17% of respondents that earned a master’s degree and an additional 17% that earned some form of doctorate degree. This sample population with a wide distribution of age and education provided significant and actionable data that could be utilized to more efficiently implement a social media strategy focused on age to help develop a medical practice. CONCLUSIONS As social media continues to grow, efficient utilization of the available platforms can help a medical practice reach out to a broader population and deliver personalized care. While the data collected in this study demonstrated an overwhelming interest in using social media in the medical field across all age groups, adoption willingness appears to be higher in younger respondents than with older respondents. Facebook is the most broadly accepted social media platform for healthcare applications. However, other social media platforms, such as Instagram, may be better tools for targeting younger generations. Medical practices should use social media pages to present content that is timely, relevant, and written in clear language familiar to the target audience.