Journal of Information and Knowledge (Formerly SRELS Journal of Information Management)

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

The Digital Medic: Assessing the Role of Social Media in Empowering Individuals with Health Knowledge and Choices


Affiliations
1 Department of Commerce and Management, Atmiya University, Rajkot – 360005, Gujarat, India
2 Accounting Department, Alkunooze University College, Basra, India
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


Purpose: The rapid expansion of social media platforms has significantly transformed communication patterns and information access. This study examines the role of social media in sharing health-related content among Indian users, evaluating its trust, influence, and impact. Methodology: A questionnaire survey was conducted among 100 people using SPSS v24, G-power, and literature reviews. Statistical methods assessed reliability, trust, influencing behaviour, and impact perspectives. A model was developed using SPSS 21 AMOS software. Findings: This study examines the transformative potential of social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram for health-oriented information dissemination. It found a significant association between gender and the use of social media for medical information, with independent variables including reliability and Trust, Influence and Behaviour Impact and perspective, and positive impact. The value of ANOVA in the regression model was 0.00, indicating a better fit for the regression model. Practical Implication: The effectiveness of tools in decision-making is crucial for organisations like fitness clubs, gyms, and yoga centres to boost publicity, increase consumer base, and achieve higher revenues, while general people can find trustworthy healthcare information platforms.

Keywords

Empowerment, Health-Information, Influence, Social Media, Trust
User
About The Authors

Suresh Vasani
Department of Commerce and Management, Atmiya University, Rajkot – 360005, Gujarat
India

Pratik Pravin
Department of Commerce and Management, Atmiya University, Rajkot – 360005, Gujarat
India

Shrey Bhupatkar
Department of Commerce and Management, Atmiya University, Rajkot – 360005, Gujarat
India

Ahmed Mahdi abdulkareem
Accounting Department, Alkunooze University College, Basra
India


Notifications

  • AlMuammar, S. A., Noorsaeed, A. S., Alafif, R. A., Kamal, Y. F., & Daghistani, G. M. (2021). The use of internet and social media for health information and its consequences among the population in Saudi Arabia. Cureus, 13(9). https://doi. org/10.7759/cureus.18338

  • Chen, J., & Wang, Y. (2021). Social media use for health purposes: Systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(5). https://doi.org/10.2196/17917

  • Frey, E. F. J., Bonfiglioli, C., Brunner, M., & Frawley, J. (2021). Parents’ use of social media as a health information source for their children: A scoping review. Academic Pediatrics, 22(4), 526–539. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2021.12.006

  • Gong, Q., & Verboord, M. (2020). Social media use and health information seeking and sharing among young Chinese adults. The Journal of Social Media in Society, 9(1), 85–108. https://thejsms.org/index.php/JSMS/article/view/559

  • Howell, M. K., Silapabanleng, J., & Howell, M. (n.d.). Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons, Health and Medical Administration Commons, Health Communication Commons. Health Services Administration Commons, and the Social Media Commons.

  • Huo, J., Desai, R., Hong, Y. R., Turner, K., Mainous, A. G., & Bian, J. (2019). Use of social media in health communication: Findings from the Health Information National Trends Survey 2013, 2014, and 2017. Cancer Control, 26(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/1073274819841442

  • Kanchan, S., & Gaidhane, A. (2023). Social media role and its impact on public health: A narrative review. Cureus, 15(1), e33737 https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.33737

  • Marar, S., Al-Madaney, M., & Almousawi, F. (2019). Health information on social media. Perceptions, attitudes, and practices of patients and their companions. Saudi Medical Journal, 40(12), 1294–1299. https://doi.org/10.15537/ smj.2019.12.24682

  • Qin, L., Sun, Q., Wang, Y., Wu, K. F., Chen, M., Shia, B. C., & Wu, S. Y. (2020). Prediction of number of cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) using social media search index. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17072365

  • Rajshri, R., & Jessica, M. (2023). Evolving role of social media in health promotion. Health Promotion - Principles and Approaches [Working Title]. https://doi.org/10.5772/ intechopen.111967

  • Samy, M., Abdelmalak, R., Ahmed, A., & Kelada, M. (2020). Social media as a source of medical information during COVID-19. Medical Education Online, 25(1). https://doi. org/10.1080/10872981.2020.1791467

  • Saxena, C. (2020). Role of social media in health communication and its impact on society. PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 17(6), 4150–4160.

  • Smailhodzic, E., Hooijsma, W., Boonstra, A., & Langley, D. J. (2016). Social media use in healthcare: A systematic review of effects on patients and on their relationship with healthcare professionals. BMC Health Services Research, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-016-1691-0 Wang, Y., McKee, M., Torbica, A., & Stuckler, D. (2019).

  • Systematic literature review on the spread of healthrelated misinformation on Social Media. Social Science and Medicine, 240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. socscimed.2019.112552


Abstract Views: 165

PDF Views: 4




  • The Digital Medic: Assessing the Role of Social Media in Empowering Individuals with Health Knowledge and Choices

Abstract Views: 165  |  PDF Views: 4

Authors

Suresh Vasani
Department of Commerce and Management, Atmiya University, Rajkot – 360005, Gujarat, India
Pratik Pravin
Department of Commerce and Management, Atmiya University, Rajkot – 360005, Gujarat, India
Shrey Bhupatkar
Department of Commerce and Management, Atmiya University, Rajkot – 360005, Gujarat, India
Ahmed Mahdi abdulkareem
Accounting Department, Alkunooze University College, Basra, India

Abstract


Purpose: The rapid expansion of social media platforms has significantly transformed communication patterns and information access. This study examines the role of social media in sharing health-related content among Indian users, evaluating its trust, influence, and impact. Methodology: A questionnaire survey was conducted among 100 people using SPSS v24, G-power, and literature reviews. Statistical methods assessed reliability, trust, influencing behaviour, and impact perspectives. A model was developed using SPSS 21 AMOS software. Findings: This study examines the transformative potential of social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram for health-oriented information dissemination. It found a significant association between gender and the use of social media for medical information, with independent variables including reliability and Trust, Influence and Behaviour Impact and perspective, and positive impact. The value of ANOVA in the regression model was 0.00, indicating a better fit for the regression model. Practical Implication: The effectiveness of tools in decision-making is crucial for organisations like fitness clubs, gyms, and yoga centres to boost publicity, increase consumer base, and achieve higher revenues, while general people can find trustworthy healthcare information platforms.

Keywords


Empowerment, Health-Information, Influence, Social Media, Trust

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.17821/srels%2F2024%2Fv61i2%2F171256