Navigating the Health Network
(7/27/11)
Associate Professor Debra Wolf explains how nurses can harness the power of social media to assist patients and promote their profession.

In today's Internet-driven world, patients are no longer relying solely on their physicians to learn more about their health care conditions. Having so much information at their fingertips, patients are in a position to take better control of their health. However, knowing where to find reliable and safe resources can be a challenge, according to Debra Wolf, PhD, MSN, BSN, RN and associate professor of Nursing at Chatham University.

"We're seeing more people using the web as a medical resource--and not simply for consulting medical information sites, such as Web.md--but also for checking out networking sites such as patientslikeme.org and starbrightworld.org, to connect with other patients," she says. "It's time for nurses to become more aware of the power of social networking, so we can educate our patients as well as our peers about the advantages and risks of these tools."

While patients are using social media to share experiences and learn from others with similar health conditions, nurses can also use web technologies to provide education and follow-up care, as well as to establish a presence in their communities. 

"It's a good idea for nursing staff to become familiar with their organization's policy on social networking and on computing in general, so they know what kind of information they can share with patients," says Wolf. "With the Internet, it's very important to use common sense and to follow some basic rules for usage. Your own credibility and the reputation of your organization depends on that."

Wolf recommends that nurses steer patients toward safe and reliable web sites, such as patient and consumer portals or community groups affiliated with hospitals. For nurses using social networking tools, it's essential to maintain appropriate boundaries in the patient-nurse relationship and to avoid sharing personal information. 

"Patient education becomes so much easier, once you have the power of the web behind you," says Wolf. "If you can familiarize yourself with Internet tools, you can teach patients to use them in a safe manner--which will benefit us all in the long run."

MEDITECH
Medical Information Technology, Inc.
MEDITECH Circle
Westwood, MA 02090
781-821-3000
www.meditech.com