Exploring the Social Media Usage among Health Care Professionals in Chennai, India
Authors/Creators
- 1. Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Sri Venkateswaraa Medical College Hospital & Research Institute
- 2. Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Panimalar Medical College Hospital and Research Institute
- 3. Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Government Ariyalur Medical College & Hospital
- 4. Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, KAPV Government Medical College and Hospital
- 5. Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital
- 6. Medical Resident, All Saints University School of Medicine
- 7. Senior Resident, Department of Community Medicine, Chettinad Hospital & Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research & Education, Chengalpattu, Tamilnadu
Description
Background: Over the past decade, social networking has become a vital medium for healthcare professionals (HCPs) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, facilitating the sharing of awareness, information exchange, and interpersonal connections. However, uncertainties persist regarding the fundamental behaviours of HCPs and the ethical use of social media to enhance efficiency within the healthcare system. This study aims to explore HCPs’ attitudes towards the professional use of social media in Chennai. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 460 HCPs from diverse healthcare professions in Chennai was conducted. Data were collected through a Google survey distributed via Google Forms. Descriptive statistics were employed for result analysis. Results: The study revealed a predominance of female participants, with the 25-35 age group being the most represented. Government-affiliated HCPs outnumbered those from the private sector. WhatsApp and Facebook emerged as the most commonly used social media platforms, with YouTube also being prevalent. Notably, participants largely concurred that social media, particularly Google, improved their knowledge and skills. Conclusion: The findings underscored that a significant proportion of respondents believed social media, specifically platforms like Google and WhatsApp, contributed to enhancing their knowledge and skills. Healthcare practitioners actively engage with social media, viewing it as an effective educational tool in the healthcare domain. These insights can inform strategies for the ethical use of social media in professional development among healthcare professionals in the region.
Abstract (English)
Background: Over the past decade, social networking has become a vital medium for healthcare professionals (HCPs) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, facilitating the sharing of awareness, information exchange, and interpersonal connections. However, uncertainties persist regarding the fundamental behaviours of HCPs and the ethical use of social media to enhance efficiency within the healthcare system. This study aims to explore HCPs’ attitudes towards the professional use of social media in Chennai. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 460 HCPs from diverse healthcare professions in Chennai was conducted. Data were collected through a Google survey distributed via Google Forms. Descriptive statistics were employed for result analysis. Results: The study revealed a predominance of female participants, with the 25-35 age group being the most represented. Government-affiliated HCPs outnumbered those from the private sector. WhatsApp and Facebook emerged as the most commonly used social media platforms, with YouTube also being prevalent. Notably, participants largely concurred that social media, particularly Google, improved their knowledge and skills. Conclusion: The findings underscored that a significant proportion of respondents believed social media, specifically platforms like Google and WhatsApp, contributed to enhancing their knowledge and skills. Healthcare practitioners actively engage with social media, viewing it as an effective educational tool in the healthcare domain. These insights can inform strategies for the ethical use of social media in professional development among healthcare professionals in the region.
Files
IJPCR,Vol16,Issue3,Article42.pdf
Files
(343.6 kB)
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Additional details
Dates
- Accepted
-
2024-02-26
Software
- Repository URL
- http://impactfactor.org/PDF/IJPCR/16/IJPCR,Vol16,Issue3,Article42.pdf
- Development Status
- Active
References
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