Where do you turn for the latest research on the impact and influence of social media?
This edition of the Health Care Social Media Review (HCSM) provides the latest research your fellow colleagues are studying by highlighting social media research and related resources. Whether you’re talking with your stakeholders, board, manager, customer, or colleague, being well-versed in the research equips you with the evidence and theory needed to optimize your impact.
I have yet to attend a social media workshop or presentation where someone doesn’t ask about resources relatesd to social media research. (And thank goodness, right? We need to stay curious.) A number of people want research to help them understand the pros and cons of social media and translate how that knowledge applies to their mission. Here’s what our peers had to share this week:
This topic for this edition was inspired by some of my own social media research activities. Craig Lefebvre and I recently published a review of the research and evidence for the use of social networking sites (SNS) to improve cardiovascular health in the April 30, 2013 edition of Circulation, a journal of the American Heart Association. The paper, titled Digital Social Networks and Health, also offers guidance on the potential of creating social health experiences while also proposing a research agenda for better understanding the use of social media in health.
Not shortly thereafter, Damon Centola of MIT published a follow-up article, titled “Social Media and the Science of Health Behavior“, also in Circulation. Centola’s article is a great read for those looking to understand and explore new research areas thanks to the opportunities social media affords. He also shares a case study from the Healthy Lifestyles Network that helps drive home the potential of what can be when you combine the power of social networks with social media–a key theme we share.
Here are some additional research nuggets submitted to the review:
While the body of research grows, some organizations are joining the effort. One such organization is the Human Factors group which is hosting a social meida research competition with a $10,000 prize purse. What about you – do you have any social media research activities planned for 2013?
Thank you again for your contributions to this edition. Health Care Social Media Review has information about the next edition’s host and instructions on how to submit your posts for review in future editions.
]]>January is the month of new resolutions yet a study out of the University of Scranton finds that only 8% of us actually achieve these resolutions. At the same time, about 1 in 3 Americans plan on buying a new fitness tech in 2013. Yet as the image above reminds us, at varying degrees, health is more than a click of a button.
On Wednesday, Jan. 16, SocialButterfly will host the HealthCare Social Media Review, the peer reviewed blog carnival for everyone interested in health care social media. Given the importance of prevention amidst a nation with an expanding waistline, this edition will focus on how social media collides with health promotion, prevention and wellness.
You may know of a number of initiatives using social media for health promotion. Submit them. You may have supportive research. Share it. You may think it’s all a bunch of hooey. We want to hear your opinion.
To submit your post:
Email a link to your post or posts (no more than two submissions per author) by 5pm (ET) on Jan. 15.
Format your submission email as follows:
Learn more about the HCSM Review by visiting HealthWorks Collective or follow @healthworkscollectiv on Twitter. I look forward to your posts!
]]>On Wednesday, Oct. 17, SocialButterfly will host the HealthCare Social Media Review—the peer reviewed blog carnival for everyone interested in health care social media. Given almost 90% of adults struggle with finding and using everyday health information–and since October is Health Literacy Month, this edition will focus on how we can better address health and digital literacy using social media tools.
Posts sharing insights on the role of health literacy in digital technology are encouraged. Posts that highlight current work in progress or discuss health and/or digital literacy in general are also welcomed.
As added inspiration, check out the Health Literacy Hackathon occurring October 13-14. Participants will be given one day to design a technology-driven tool to improve how people understand and use health information. Note: RTI International, my employer, is a proud sponsor of this event.
To submit your post:
Email a link to your post or posts (no more than two submissions per author) by 5pm (ET) on Oct. 16.
Format your submission email as follows:
Learn more about the HCSM Review by visiting HealthWorks Collective or follow @healthworkscollectiv on Twitter. I look forward to your posts!
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