Extract
In less than a decade, social media has grown to become firmly established for many people as a major source of communication and information sharing. Concerns over patient confidentiality, medicolegal issues and the perceived time commitment required for a successful social media campaign have contributed to a low adoption rate amongst medical professionals [1]. However, social media is increasingly being recognised as a useful platform for promoting patient engagement, facilitating access to information about health and services, and disseminating and discussing research [2–4]. The demographics of the patient cohort of adult cystic fibrosis (CF) centres mean that a large proportion of patients will have grown up with or be fluent in these technologies (i.e. be “digital natives”). Moreover, infection control restrictions in CF mean online communication is particularly well suited to this patient group; indeed, many CF patients already use social media platforms to communicate with others, and as a source of information and support [5].
Abstract
Social media has the potential to improve communication with patients with cystic fibrosis http://ow.ly/Zdyej
Footnotes
Support statement: This work was supported by a grant from the North West Lung Centre Charity. A. Horsley is funded by a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinician Scientist award. This report presents independent research funded by the NIHR. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the National Health Service, the NIHR or the Department of Health. Funding information for this article has been deposited with FundRef.
Conflict of interest: Disclosures can be found alongside the online version of this article at erj.ersjournals.com
- Received February 4, 2016.
- Accepted March 1, 2016.
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