LEVERAGING SOCIAL MEDIA IN NURSING: STRATEGIES TO BOOST PATIENT ENGAGEMENT, EDUCATION, AND HEALTH PROMOTION

Author Name: 1. Richa Bharti, 2. Sunali Sharma, 3. Misbah Moin, 4. Dhanasekar V M, 5. Roshni Ganguly, 6. Aradhna Mishra, 7. Parthiban C, 8. Dr. Deepkant Chaturvedi, 9. Manoj Yadav

Volume/Issue: 05/05

Country: India

DOI NO.: 08.2020-25662434 DOI Link: https://doi-ds.org/doilink/10.2024-62329775/UIJIR

Affiliation:

1. Nursing Tutor, (Obs and Gynae), Maharishi Markandeswar Institute of Nursing, Mullana, Ambala. India.
2. Nursing Tutor (Mental Health Nursing), Maharishi Markandeswar College of Nursing, Mullana, Ambala. India.
3. Nursing Tutor, College of Nursing, AMU, Aligarh, UP India.
4. Nursing tutor/DNS, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalagiri, India.
5. Assistant Professor, Government College of Nursing, Ujjain, M.P. India.
6. Assistant professor, Government College of Nursing, Ujjain, India.
7. Vice Principal, BBC College of Nursing, India.
8. Associate Professor, Government Nursing College, SMMH Medical College, Saharanpur, India.
9. Nursing Tutor, College of Nursing Govt. Medical College, Azamgarh, UP. India.

ABSTRACT

The integration of social media into nursing practice has transformed the way healthcare professionals engage with patients, provide education, and promote health literacy. This comprehensive review explores the strategies and best practices for leveraging social media in nursing to enhance patient-centered care. A systematic search of existing literature identified key themes, including patient engagement, education, health promotion, and policy considerations. Effective social media strategies for nursing practice include creating engaging content, utilizing multimedia, and collaborating with patients and healthcare teams. Social media platforms provide opportunities for nurses to share health information, support patient empowerment, and facilitate online communities. However, maintaining patient confidentiality, addressing cyberbullying, and ensuring online professionalism remain critical concerns. This review highlights successful social media campaigns and research findings demonstrating the positive impact of social media on patient engagement, health outcomes, and nursing practice. Recommendations for nursing education, training, and policy development are provided to ensure the effective and safe integration of social media into nursing practice. By embracing social media, nurses can enhance patient engagement, education, and health promotion, ultimately improving health outcomes and quality of care. This review serves as a valuable resource for nursing professionals, educators, and researchers seeking to harness the potential of social media in nursing practice. This paper explores the transformative role of social media in nursing, focusing on strategies to enhance patient engagement, education, and health promotion. As healthcare increasingly shifts toward digital platforms, nurses are uniquely positioned to leverage social media’s reach and immediacy to improve communication and accessibility of health information. The study outlines various methods by which nurses can effectively utilize social media, such as creating informative content, facilitating discussions, and building online communities that foster patient support. Additionally, it addresses the challenges and ethical considerations associated with social media use in a healthcare context, including maintaining patient confidentiality and navigating misinformation. By employing targeted strategies that prioritize patient-centered care, nurses can enhance health literacy, empower patients in their healthcare journeys, and promote healthier behaviors within communities. Ultimately, this paper advocates for the integration of social media into nursing practice as a means to bridge gaps in healthcare delivery, foster engagement, and improve overall health outcomes.

Key words: Social Media, Nursing, Patient Engagement, Education, Health Promotion, Patient-centered care, Health literacy.