The Digital Medic: Assessing the Role of Social Media in Empowering Individuals with Health Knowledge and Choices

Suresh Vasani; Pratik Pravin; Shrey Bhupatkar; Ahmed Mahdi abdulkareem

doi:10.17821/srels/2024/v61i2/171256

Authors

Suresh Vasani
Department of Commerce and Management, Atmiya University, Rajkot – 360005, Gujarat
Pratik Pravin
Department of Commerce and Management, Atmiya University, Rajkot – 360005, Gujarat
Shrey Bhupatkar
Department of Commerce and Management, Atmiya University, Rajkot – 360005, Gujarat
Ahmed Mahdi abdulkareem
Accounting Department, Alkunooze University College, Basra

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17821/srels/2024/v61i2/171256

Keywords:

Empowerment, Health-Information, Influence, Social Media, Trust

Abstract

Purpose: The rapid expansion of social media platforms has significantly transformed communication patterns and information access. This study examines the role of social media in sharing health-related content among Indian users, evaluating its trust, influence, and impact. Methodology: A questionnaire survey was conducted among 100 people using SPSS v24, G-power, and literature reviews. Statistical methods assessed reliability, trust, influencing behaviour, and impact perspectives. A model was developed using SPSS 21 AMOS software. Findings: This study examines the transformative potential of social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram for health-oriented information dissemination. It found a significant association between gender and the use of social media for medical information, with independent variables including reliability and Trust, Influence and Behaviour Impact and perspective, and positive impact. The value of ANOVA in the regression model was 0.00, indicating a better fit for the regression model. Practical Implication: The effectiveness of tools in decision-making is crucial for organisations like fitness clubs, gyms, and yoga centres to boost publicity, increase consumer base, and achieve higher revenues, while general people can find trustworthy healthcare information platforms.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

AlMuammar, S. A., Noorsaeed, A. S., Alafif, R. A., Kamal, Y. F., & Daghistani, G. M. (2021). The use of internet and social media for health information and its consequences among the population in Saudi Arabia. Cureus, 13(9). https://doi. org/10.7759/cureus.18338 DOI: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.18338

Chen, J., & Wang, Y. (2021). Social media use for health purposes: Systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(5). https://doi.org/10.2196/17917 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2196/17917

Frey, E. F. J., Bonfiglioli, C., Brunner, M., & Frawley, J. (2021). Parents’ use of social media as a health information source for their children: A scoping review. Academic Pediatrics, 22(4), 526–539. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2021.12.006 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2021.12.006

Gong, Q., & Verboord, M. (2020). Social media use and health information seeking and sharing among young Chinese adults. The Journal of Social Media in Society, 9(1), 85–108. https://thejsms.org/index.php/JSMS/article/view/559

Howell, M. K., Silapabanleng, J., & Howell, M. (n.d.). Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons, Health and Medical Administration Commons, Health Communication Commons. Health Services Administration Commons, and the Social Media Commons.

Huo, J., Desai, R., Hong, Y. R., Turner, K., Mainous, A. G., & Bian, J. (2019). Use of social media in health communication: Findings from the Health Information National Trends Survey 2013, 2014, and 2017. Cancer Control, 26(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/1073274819841442 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1073274819841442

Kanchan, S., & Gaidhane, A. (2023). Social media role and its impact on public health: A narrative review. Cureus, 15(1), e33737 https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.33737 DOI: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.33737

Marar, S., Al-Madaney, M., & Almousawi, F. (2019). Health information on social media. Perceptions, attitudes, and practices of patients and their companions. Saudi Medical Journal, 40(12), 1294–1299. https://doi.org/10.15537/ smj.2019.12.24682 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2019.12.24682

Qin, L., Sun, Q., Wang, Y., Wu, K. F., Chen, M., Shia, B. C., & Wu, S. Y. (2020). Prediction of number of cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) using social media search index. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17072365 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17072365

Rajshri, R., & Jessica, M. (2023). Evolving role of social media in health promotion. Health Promotion - Principles and Approaches [Working Title]. https://doi.org/10.5772/ intechopen.111967

Samy, M., Abdelmalak, R., Ahmed, A., & Kelada, M. (2020). Social media as a source of medical information during COVID-19. Medical Education Online, 25(1). https://doi. org/10.1080/10872981.2020.1791467 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10872981.2020.1791467

Saxena, C. (2020). Role of social media in health communication and its impact on society. PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 17(6), 4150–4160.

Smailhodzic, E., Hooijsma, W., Boonstra, A., & Langley, D. J. (2016). Social media use in healthcare: A systematic review of effects on patients and on their relationship with healthcare professionals. BMC Health Services Research, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-016-1691-0 Wang, Y., McKee, M., Torbica, A., & Stuckler, D. (2019). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-016-1691-0

Systematic literature review on the spread of healthrelated misinformation on Social Media. Social Science and Medicine, 240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. socscimed.2019.112552 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.112552