Twitter and Public Health (Part 2): Qualitative Analysis of How Individual Health Professionals Outside Organizations Use Microblogging to Promote and Disseminate Health-Related Information

IntroductionInternet is the fastest growing medium and more than 50 million people seek health information online1. Almost a third of internet users with history of psychiatric disorder had used the internet to seek mental health information2.MethodA survey was conducted amongst North Wales, UK mental health professionals to understand their knowledge, attitude and practice about this topic. A total of 100 questionnaires were distributed out of which 71 responses were received.ResultAbout 39% mental health professionals believed that consultation is the best way to give mental health related information to the patients. Only 5% of mental health professionals always and 46% sometimes advised patients to look at internet for mental health related information. About 50% felt that internet will increase patient's understanding of their illness and 37% felt that it will improve their compliance. Sixty percent people felt that mental health information on internet is evidence-based. About 30% of the mental health professionals thought that the use of internet by mental health patients will increase the patient's anxiety and will increase their visit to the doctor. Majority did not have enough knowledge of websites to suggest to the patients.ConclusionMost professionals thought that it is a useful concept but further awareness about evidence-based website for professionals is needed.

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Health literacy among Danish university students enrolled in health-related study programmes

Scandinavian Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1177/1403494817733356 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 45 (8) ◽

pp. 831-838 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Lea Elsborg ◽

Fie Krossdal ◽

Lars Kayser

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Health Informatics ◽

Male Students ◽

Public Health Programme ◽

Health Literacy Level ◽

Health Related ◽

Educational Path

Aims: It is important to address people’s health literacy when providing health care. Health professionals should be aware of, and have insight into, people’s health literacy when they provide health services. Health professionals need to be health literate themselves. We examined the level of health literacy in students in Denmark attending one of four full university programmes related to health and investigated how their health literacy was associated with their sociodemographic background. Methods: The health literacy level of the students was measured using the multi-dimensional Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) supplemented with sociodemographic questions. The questionnaire was administrated through the students’ Facebook groups. The students were enrolled in courses on health informatics, medicine, molecular biomedicine or public health. Out of a total of 7663 students, 630 responded to the questionnaire. Results: No sex difference was found although female students scored higher than male students in domain 4 (social support for health). Students attending the public health programme tended to score higher and those attending molecular biomedicine tended to score lower in the HLQ. There was a positive correlation between HLQ scores and the educational level of the students’ parents. If one of their parents was employed in the health care sector, the HLQ score tended to be higher in domains 1 and 4. Students who had been hospitalized also tended to score higher in domains 1, 5 and 6. Conclusions: Students’ health literacy relates to their personal background and educational path. This may be of importance when planning curricula and educational activities, including cross-disciplinary courses.

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Health Information Seeking Behaviors on Social Media During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among American Social Networking Site Users: Survey Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.29802 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Stephen Neely ◽

Christina Eldredge ◽

Ron Sanders

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Social Media ◽

Health Information ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Information Seeking ◽

Care Providers ◽

Related Information ◽

Public Health Officials ◽

Health Consumers

BACKGROUND In recent years, medical journals have emphasized the increasingly critical role that social media plays in the dissemination of public health information and disease prevention guidelines. However, platforms such as Facebook and Twitter continue to pose unique challenges for clinical health care providers and public health officials alike. In order to effectively communicate during public health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, it is increasingly critical for health care providers and public health officials to understand how patients gather health-related information on the internet and adjudicate the merits of such information. OBJECTIVE With that goal in mind, we conducted a survey of 1003 US-based adults to better understand how health consumers have used social media to learn and stay informed about the COVID-19 pandemic, the extent to which they have relied on credible scientific information sources, and how they have gone about fact-checking pandemic-related information. METHODS A web-based survey was conducted with a sample that was purchased through an industry-leading market research provider. The results were reported with a 95% confidence level and a margin of error of 3. Participants included 1003 US-based adults (aged ≥18 years). Participants were selected via a stratified quota sampling approach to ensure that the sample was representative of the US population. Balanced quotas were determined (by region of the country) for gender, age, race, and ethnicity. RESULTS The results showed a heavy reliance on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic; more than three-quarters of respondents (762/1003, 76%) reported that they have relied on social media at least “a little,” and 59.2% (594/1003) of respondents indicated that they read information about COVID-19 on social media at least once per week. According to the findings, most social media users (638/1003, 63.6%) were unlikely to fact-check what they see on the internet with a health professional, despite the high levels of mistrust in the accuracy of COVID-19–related information on social media. We also found a greater likelihood of undergoing vaccination among those following more credible scientific sources on social media during the pandemic (χ216=50.790; φ=0.258; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that health professionals will need to be both strategic and proactive when engaging with health consumers on social media if they hope to counteract the deleterious effects of misinformation and disinformation. Effective training, institutional support, and proactive collaboration can help health professionals adapt to the evolving patterns of health information seeking.

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Ethnicity matters in perceived impacts and information sources of COVID-19 among mothers with young children in Australia: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050557 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. e050557

Author(s):

Li Ming Wen ◽

Huilan Xu ◽

Danielle Jawad ◽

Limin Buchanan ◽

Chris Rissel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Young Children ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Information Sources ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Face To Face ◽

Related Information ◽

Health Related ◽

English Speaking

ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate perceived impacts, ways of communication with professionals and information sources related to COVID-19, and explore whether these impacts or information sources were associated with ethnicity that is, language spoken at home.DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingSydney, Australia during the period from March to October 2020.ParticipantsMothers of young children participating in an existing trial.Outcome measuresMothers were asked to respond to a set of survey questions related to COVID-19 via telephone. The questions included a mental health scale, and how they communicated with health professionals and their information sources related to COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsOf 537 mothers who completed the survey (81% response rate), 45% reported they spoke a language other than English at home. Overall, 136 (26%) reported experiencing mental distress. 234 (44%) reported that COVID-19 affected the way they receive and communicate health-related information with health professionals, especially for those from non-English speaking backgrounds with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.58 (95% CI 1.10 to 2.27). They were less likely to use a face-to-face service (AOR 0.55, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.80) and more likely to use social media (AOR 2.11, 95% CI 1.40 to 3.17) for health-related information. Regarding sources of COVID-19-related information, mothers from non-English-speaking backgrounds were more likely to rely on family members (AOR 1.49, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.19) and social media (AOR 3.34, 95% CI 2.05 to 5.43).ConclusionsCOVID-19 has significantly impacted mothers with young children in regard to their mental health, means of communication with health professionals and sources of health information. Mothers from non-English-speaking communities were less likely to use a face-to-face service, and more likely to seek information from family members and social media. Appropriate health support for non-English-speaking community needs to take these factors into account.Trial registration numberANZCTR:12618001571268.they

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Social Media Infodemic During COVID-19 Outbreak

Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management ◽

10.24083/apjhm.v15i4.513 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (4) ◽

pp. 95-97

Author(s):

Jeevan Bhatta ◽

Sharmistha Sharma ◽

Shashi Kandel ◽

Roshan Nepal

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Social Media ◽

Current Situation ◽

Fake News ◽

Related Information ◽

Personal Experiences ◽

Health Related ◽

Social Media Platforms ◽

To Receive ◽

Common Platform

Social media is a common platform that enables its users to share opinions, personal experiences, perspectives with one another instantaneously, globally. It has played a paramount role during pandemics such as COVID-19 and unveiled itself as a crucial means to communicate between the sources and the individuals. However, it also has become a place to disseminate misinformation and fake news rapidly. Infodemic, a plethora of information, some authentic some not makes it even harder to general people to receive factual and trustworthy information when required, has grown to be a major risk to public health and social media is developing as a trendy platform for this infodemic. This commentary aims to explore how social media has affected the current situation. We also aim to share our insight to control this misinformation. This commentary contributes to evolving knowledge to counter fake news or health-related information shared over various social media platforms.

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Lessons in Leadership

The Journal of Baha’i Studies ◽

10.31581/jbs-28.4.4(2018) ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 28 (4) ◽

pp. 55-68

Author(s):

May Khadem

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Disparities ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Health Concerns ◽

Personal Journey ◽

Individual Health ◽

And Behavior

As individual health professionals and institutions struggle to address health disparities worldwide, it becomes increasingly apparent that the answers are exceedingly complex and require a complete change in thinking, orientation, and behavior that includes ourselves. This paper is about a personal journey of learning about leadership that reveals widely shared false assumptions that have led many off course in addressing the challenges in the fight against blindness as well as other public health concerns.

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Telecommunications, Public Health, and Demand for Health-Related Information and Infrastructure

Information Technologies and International Development ◽

10.1162/1544752054782466 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 57-72 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Maja Micevska

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Related Information ◽

Health Related ◽

Demand For Health

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Dietary Health-Related Risk Factors for Women in the Polish and Croatian Population Based on the Nutritional Behaviors of Junior Health Professionals

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11185073 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (18) ◽

pp. 5073

Author(s):

Dominika Głąbska ◽

Valentina Rahelić ◽

Dominika Guzek ◽

Kamila Jaworska ◽

Sandra Bival ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Population Based ◽

Nutritional Education ◽

Capital Cities ◽

Polish Group ◽

Related Risk ◽

Dietary Records ◽

Health Related

In Poland and Croatia, similarly as for a number of European countries, anemia and osteoporosis are common diet-related diseases in women, while for both the proper nutritional behaviors and preventive education are crucial. However, for the proper nutritional education there are some barriers, including those associated with an educator, his own nutritional behaviors and beliefs. The aim of the study was to assess the dietary health risk factors for women in the Polish and Croatian population based on the nutritional behaviors of junior health professionals. The study was conducted in Polish (n = 70) and Croatian (n = 80) female students of the faculties associated with public health at the universities in capital cities. Their diets were assessed based on 3-day dietary records. Nutritional value and consumption of food products, as well as the dietary risk factors for anemia and osteoporosis, were compared. While assessing the risk factors for anemia, in the Polish group, the higher intake of iron and folate, as well as vitamin B12 per 1000 kcal, was observed; and for folate, the higher frequency of inadequate intake was stated for Croatian women. While assessing the risk factors for osteoporosis, in the Polish group, compared with the Croatian, the higher intake of calcium per 1000 kcal was observed, but for vitamin D, there were no differences. Differences of the intake between the Polish and the Croatian group of junior health professionals may result in various dietary health risks for women. Based on the assessment of dietary intake, for anemia, compared to Polish women, a higher risk may be indicated for Croatian women, but for osteoporosis, similar risks may be indicated for Polish and Croatian women. Therefore, for public health, adequate nutritional education of junior health professionals is necessary.

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eHealth Systems, Their Use and Visions for the Future

Medical Informatics in Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.4018/978-1-60566-078-3.ch019 ◽

2009 ◽

pp. 346-353

Author(s):

Pirkko Nykänen

Keyword(s):

Information And Communication Technologies ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Care Delivery ◽

Communication Technologies ◽

The Internet ◽

Related Information ◽

The Future ◽

Health Related ◽

Information And Communication ◽

Physician Patient

eHealth refers to use of information and communication technologies to improve or enable health and healthcare. eHealth broadens the scope of health care delivery, citizens are in the center of services and services are offered by information systems often via the Internet. In this chapter eHealth systems are classified on the basis of their use and their functionality and the use is discussed from the viewpoints of citizens and health professionals. Citizens are increasingly using Internet and eHealth systems to search for medicine or health related information, and they become better informed and may take more responsibility of their own health. Health professionals are more reluctant to use the Internet and eHealth systems in physician-patient communication due to power and responsibility problems of decisions. In the future the socio-technical nature of eHealth should be considered and future systems developed for real use and user environment with user acceptable technology.

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E-Health Systems

E-Health Systems Diffusion and Use ◽

10.4018/978-1-59140-423-1.ch016 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 281-293 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Pirkko Nykanen

Keyword(s):

Information And Communication Technologies ◽

Health Systems ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Healthcare Delivery ◽

Communication Technologies ◽

The Internet ◽

Related Information ◽

Health Related ◽

Information And Communication ◽

Physician Patient

E-health refers to use of information and communication technologies to improve or enable health and healthcare. E-health broadens the scope of healthcare delivery; citizens are in the center of services and services are offered by information systems often via the Internet. In this chapter e-health systems are classified on the basis of their use and their functionality and the use is discussed from the viewpoints of citizens and health professionals. Citizens are increasingly using Internet and e-health systems to search for medicine or health-related information, and they become better informed and may take more responsibility of their own health. Health professionals are more reluctant to use the Internet and e-health systems in physician-patient communication due to the power and responsibility problems of decisions. In the future the sociotechnical nature of e-health should be considered and future systems developed for real use and user environment with user acceptable technology.

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