The Impact of Online Social Networks on Health and Health Systems: A Scoping Review and Case Studies.

Frances Griffiths,Tim Dobermann,Margaret Thorogood,Jonathan A K Cave,Francis X Gomez Olive,Samantha Johnson,Jane Goudge,Kavé Salamatian

doi:10.1002/poi3.97

Abstract

Interaction through online social networks potentially results in the contestation of prevailing ideas about health and health care, and to mass protest where health is put at risk or health care provision is wanting. Through a review of the academic literature and case studies of four social networking health sites (PatientsLikeMe, Mumsnet, Treatment Action Campaign, and My Pro Ana), we establish the extent to which this phenomenon is documented, seek evidence of the prevalence and character of health‐related networks, and explore their structure, function, participants, and impact, seeking to understand how they came into being and how they sustain themselves. Results indicate mass protest is not arising from these established health‐related networking platforms. There is evidence of changes in policy following campaigning activity prompted by experiences shared through social networking such as improved National Health Service care for miscarriage (a Mumsnet campaign). Platform owners and managers have considerable power to shape these campaigns. Social networking is also influencing health policy indirectly through increasing awareness and so demand for health care. Transient social networking about health on platforms such as Twitter were not included as case studies but may be where the most radical or destabilizing influence on health care policy might arise.

Highlights

The ability to access and disseminate information through digital communication networks is changing societal activities including national politics and election campaigns (Gruzd & Roy, 2014), local politics and activism (Biondo, 2013), and accountability (Sagar, 2013)
In this paper we explore the potential impact of digital social networks comprised of people who are not health professionals but who interact about health-related issues
Where a health issue is very personal in nature, a study of the social networking site EverydayHealth suggests that interaction with lay-people or other patients may be more influential in inspiring healthy behaviour than discussion with medical professionals (Abrahamson & Rubin, 2012)

Summary

Introduction

The ability to access and disseminate information through digital communication networks (e.g. internet, mobile phones) is changing societal activities including national politics and election campaigns (Gruzd & Roy, 2014), local politics and activism (Biondo, 2013), and accountability (Sagar, 2013). Within the health domain there is potential for interaction through digital social networks to enable individuals to interact with others with similar concerns about health risks or where health care is wanting. This could result in change in health care demand or mass protest that impacts on health policy. Interaction through digital social networks can lead to the identification of problems related to health that the professionals have not yet thought about, and to the contestation of prevailing ideas about health and health care This interaction has the potential to enable mass protest where health is put at risk or health care provision is wanting. We suggest that digital social networking could provide an innovative approach to enhancing community representation, ownership and participation in health service policy formulation, as called for by the World Health Organisation (World Health Organisation (WHO): Regional Office for Africa, 2012)

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Discussion

Conclusion