By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    benefits of using protein powder to build muscles
    Protein Powder for Muscle Mass: Everything You Need to Know
    December 12, 2021
    changes brought on by blockchain in healthcare
    Technology In The Healthcare Industry
    March 28, 2022
    What Does Core Body Temperature Say About Health?
    August 17, 2022
    Latest News
    Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
    May 16, 2025
    Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
    May 16, 2025
    Choosing the Right Supplement Manufacturer for Your Brand
    May 1, 2025
    Engineering Temporary Hospitals for Extreme Weather
    April 24, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    FDA Approves Diabetes Pill
    May 2, 2011
    Patient Gets Drunk on Hand Sanitizer
    June 20, 2011
    Cultivating Health Improvement
    July 20, 2011
    Latest News
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
    The Backbone of Successful Trials: Clinical Data Management
    April 28, 2025
    Advancing Your Healthcare Career through Education and Specialization
    April 16, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: HealthCare Social Media: Social Networks Lead to Innovation and Quality
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > eHealth > Social Media > HealthCare Social Media: Social Networks Lead to Innovation and Quality
Social Media

HealthCare Social Media: Social Networks Lead to Innovation and Quality

BrianSMcGowan
Last updated: February 10, 2013 8:16 am
BrianSMcGowan
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

I have spent the better part of the past year describing within the posts on this blog how we should be thinking beyond social media to understand the value of the connections. I have suggested that we should think about how the social graph that new technologies enable may be used to our benefit – and to the benefit of our meetings, our education, or even the care we may provide as clinicians. It is the emerging social network that is the real value proposition in social media.

I have spent the better part of the past year describing within the posts on this blog how we should be thinking beyond social media to understand the value of the connections. I have suggested that we should think about how the social graph that new technologies enable may be used to our benefit – and to the benefit of our meetings, our education, or even the care we may provide as clinicians. It is the emerging social network that is the real value proposition in social media.

Throughout my writings I have tried to be clear that my hypothesis is not grounded in obvious evidence, but that the pieces of evidence can be strung together if you look hard enough and in enough places. I believe that when the science of social networks is understood and when it is blended with the science of behavior change then almost anything is possible – I believe it, though the prior evidence may seem to some to be paper-thin. As a scientist it is critical that I acknowledge the limitations of my hypotheses.

However, in the past few months three data sets have been published that should be taken as the definitive answer to the question: What is the value of social networks on healthcare and healthcare education? Here are some highlights to make the case:

More Read

Integrating Social Media into Emergency-Preparedness Efforts
Social Media Now Tracks Flu Faster Than the CDC
Taking Patient Engagement Into the Shark Tank
Social Media Transforming Care for Rare Disease Patients
Doctor Wes Speaks on on Doctor Privacy

Perception = reality: In our recent paper in JMIR, more than 60% of physicians using social media as an element of their lifelong learning felt that their social media engagement improved their professional productivity and improved the care they provide to their patients.

Location = innovation: In a separate paper in Academic Medicine, while traditional Train-the-Trainer courses caused faculty members to believe they are more innovative, in reality it is the shape and structure of a faculty member’s social graph that ultimately determined their degree of innovation.

Structure = healthcare quality: In a third paper in Medical Care, 1 standard deviation (SD) in the median number of connections per physician (network redundancy) was associated with a 17.8% increase in total spending, in addition to 17.4% more hospital days, and 23.8% more physician visits.

So there you have it – physicians think social media makes them better docs. In reality, it is their place within their social networks that help them innovate. And, the end result is that a better structured social network improves healthcare quality and decreases healthcare costs (by nearly 20%).

So the next time someone tells you that social media as a waste of time, tell them that while the media themselves may seem unnatural at first, the networks they enable may very well be the secret to innovation and our long-term professional success.

Or just tell them to come talk to me…

 

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Do You Grind Your Teeth at Night? Here’s How Night Guards and TMJ Treatments Can Help
Do You Grind Your Teeth at Night? Here’s How Night Guards and TMJ Treatments Can Help
Dental health
May 21, 2025
The Secret To A Confident Smile: Top Tips For Better Teeth
The Secret To A Confident Smile: Top Tips For Better Teeth
Dental health
May 21, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
Health care
May 18, 2025
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Health
May 15, 2025

You Might also Like

New Ways to Incorporate Video into Your Healthcare Marketing Campaign

July 21, 2014
patient reviews for doctors
Social Media

Person-Centered Healthcare: Imagine Yelp for Your Hospital

November 29, 2013

How Do Hospital CEOs Evolve in Today’s Market?

February 2, 2012

Social Media and Technology in Health Care: ePharma Summit Goes Beyond Pharma

January 31, 2012
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?