Communication Technology
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New Communication Technology Comparison to other technology
Social media is an interactive digital platform that allows people, institutions, and governments to create profiles and connect with other individuals and organizations and share information, content, and ideas efficiently and directly.
Social media is unique compared to other communication technologies because it is interactive, information gets relayed quickly, and conversations occur in real-time.
For instance, traditional communication technologies such as broadcast media and print media are not interactive hence the public is only given the role of an audience, and they lack control over the message broadcast.
Traditional communication technologies only support one-way communication; thus, people cannot voice their opinions or give feedback.
Lastly, the spread of information on social media is immediate, while the spread of information on traditional communication technologies is delayed due to a dependence on press time.
Benefits of social media in the Healthcare Industry Potential Privacy issues
The adoption and use of social media in the healthcare industry has given rise to interactive and direct doctor-patient communication.
Healthcare professionals can educate and promote healthy habits to the public.
In addition to sharing health information, social media also enables the public and healthcare professionals to discuss existing healthcare practices and policies, thus enhancing healthcare advocacy (Ventola, 2014).
Moreover, healthcare professionals use social media to disseminate their research; therefore, they contribute to the growing knowledge in this field and augment the healthcare industry.
Social media plays a significant role in healthcare; however, its contributions to this field are marred with various privacy concerns. For instance, the Facebook Cambridge Analytica scandal shows that personal information provided on social media platforms is not private (Petersen, 2018).
Deceptive management of user information that demonstrates that social media platforms have turned users into market products.
Social media platforms have failed to develop tools that prohibit information shared on private groups from being publicized.
Best Practices Things to Avoid
As a solution to prevailing privacy issues, the public, health authorities, and the health department can lobby and advocate for the review and revision of social media policies on users’ privacy.
Other ways to leverage the use of social media in the healthcare industry include a correction on current information dissemination methods to expand the spread of healthcare information.
Lastly, social media platforms can develop and implement tools that guarantee a safe and transparent online environment for healthcare professionals and potential patients.
To better protect themselves, social media users can avoid sharing private information such as addresses, full names, and the names of people in one’s network, among others.
Users should also read through the platforms’ privacy settings and adjust accordingly.
Lastly, users should be careful about the photos they share as they often provide a user’s identity and location, among other personal information.
References
Petersen, C., & Lehmann, C. U. (2018). Social media in health care: time for transparent privacy policies and consent for data use and disclosure. Applied Clinical Informatics, 9(04), 856-859.
Ventola, C. L. (2014). Social media and health care professionals: benefits, risks, and best practices. Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 39(7), 491.
