Professional Experience Placement

This journal article by Lee et al (2014) is an analysis of 1000 tweets on health related topics. The objective of the research was to characterise the content of Twitter messages, specifically focusing on health professionals and Tweets relating to health. This study was conducted in the USA where approximately 90% of adults use the internet, of which 72% visit social media sites. These researchers found that 12% of internet users access social media to research health issues. Twitter has quickly grown in popularity. This method of short messaging has also been used to study the epidemiology of disease outbreaks, recruit study subjects and discuss health topics.

There are concerns about the use of social media by health professionals and the opportunity for Tweeting inappropriate comment or content. There is also controversy regarding the personal or professional status of identities online. This research is timely because it provides an analysis of actual behaviour that builds knowledge around this issue.  There are assumptions made by health professionals and others about the use and misuse of social media by health profession students and professionals.

The findings of this study indicated that more than half of the tweets included content that was evidence-based and could be assessed. Forty percent of these Tweets shared medical advice, while 23% disseminated scientific news or research books or articles. The study also found a wide range of non-health providers were sending health related Tweets. These included health news and information about commercial products or services. Individual Tweets by non-health providers comprised 17% of messages? This community of users was found to be a significant resource of health conversation and information. These users are not bound by professional guidelines for engaging with social media or Twitter. On analysis it was found that although there are professional guidelines 17% of tweets by health professionals contained information that could be considered as personal in nature. Furthermore 74% of information posted by medical students was personal in content. The authors concluded that the content shared by users was diverse and often provides evidence based information. They also indicated that the validity of Tweets by health professionals and others need to be aware of the level of validity of claims made.

The findings of this study indicate there  are implications for clinical supervisors. Students access information from a range of sources and many initially are likely not to verify the information.  It is part of the supervisory role to guide students in their use of social media within and outside of the workplace. Students need to be aware of organisation and professional guidelines for use. They need to learn to critically think before they post any personal information about themselves, their workplace or others. There is a need to ensure they protect themselves and their patients, clients or co-workers from any misadventure. Further, when searching for information or seeking guidance, they need to establish the credentials of the identity/author/website they use. They need to ensure they do not place their patients, co-workers, learning institution or healthcare organisation at risk through posting inappropriate content or accessing or using download or sites that are prohibited.

Education and positive reinforcement will go a long way in guiding and supporting appropriate use of social media within the workplace and dispel negative assumptions. Being able to ask an expert or gain guidance swiftly about a particular medication, disease or care process is an advantage that is yet to fully realised.

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