SOCIAL MEDIA USE BY PEOPLE WITH MULTIPLE CHRONIC CONDITIONS: IMPLICATIONS FOR SELF-MANAGEMENT

Background: Social media is increasingly popular in healthcare to engage and empower self-management among some clients/patients (DeBronkart 2013; Hamm 2013). There is little evidence, however, to describe patients’ use of... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
Social media is increasingly popular in healthcare to engage and empower self-management among some clients/patients (DeBronkart 2013; Hamm 2013). There is little evidence, however, to describe patients’ use of social media from their own perspectives (Househ 2014). Dealing with multiple chronic conditions complicates self-management: we examine the benefits and harms of the use of social media by patients with multi-morbidity.
Methods:
We purposively sampled adults with self-reported multiple chronic conditions to participate in this qualitative study involving one face-to-face interview and a follow-up phone interview. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. A constant comparative analysis, guided by ethnographic traditions, is ongoing. Preliminary findings are visually depicted in a Mindmap diagram.
Results:
17 participants (14 women; 3 men) aged 23-67 years were recruited. All had accessed social media in the previous 6 months (mostly commonly blogs and social networking sites). Findings reveal insights into patient experiences under three emerging themes. First, participants describe how connecting with others via social media could mitigate feelings of isolation and losing control. Second, participants feel cautious in setting boundaries to sharing personal information via social media. Third, participants describe how they experience new kinds of responsibility through using social media.
Conclusion:
Recognition of emerging ethical issues in using social media for health purposes from the clients’ view may help reduce perceived and potential burdens while still supporting reported benefits like reduced loneliness.
Practice Implications:
Findings inform ethical reasoning by occupational therapists and ways to support client self-management approaches in the digital era.