Ethical Concerns in Accessing Healthcare Information from Social Media by Patients with Terminal Diseases in Kenya: Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract

Purpose: This paper investigated the ethical concerns in in accessing healthcare information from social media by patients with terminal diseases, opportunities and challenges: Kenyan experience.
 Methodology: It had 3 objectives to: a) determine ethical concerns in accessing healthcare information from social media; b) evaluate the opportunities patients with terminal diseases have in accessing healthcare information from the social media; c) investigate the challenges patients with terminal diseases have when accessing healthcare information from the social media. The study was desk review; that involved identifying and scanning relevant literature, analysis of the secondary data; creation a reference list and organization of the documents.
 Findings: The study findings were: all the articles 100% confirmed core ethical issues in accessing healthcare information: patients’ anonymity, confidentiality, privacy, physicians’ professionalism, and data protection; 98% agreed on imperative response by physicians to patient concerns. Social media presents opportunities to patients: 51% access, and shared (50%) healthcare information; 44% made decisions; 46% were empowered and their capacity build; 51% accessed experts advise; 48% joined social support-groups. There were challenges in accessing healthcare information: 50% accessing misinformation; 36% technological illiteracy, 48% personal data security.
 Unique Contribution to Theory Policy and Practice: The study concluded that social media presents enables accessing and sharing of healthcare information. However, for effectiveness ethical concerns like: patients’ confidentiality and privacy, physicians’ professionalism, and protection of patients’ data. Stakeholders need to work together to eliminate the ethical issues and challenges faced by patients using social media as a source of healthcare information.