My blog has taken a new shift to focus in on the patient experience from the patient's perspective. Since I wrote an article on this for health professionals a couple of years ago, I thought this would be a great #TBT topic to revisit.
1. Access to social media: I've been doing a fair amount of sofa and front porch sitting to elevate my feet and legs. Access to my friends and family on Facebook has been an easy way for me to keep everyone updated over the last 6+ months. Their likes and words of support make me smile. More recently, as I began to have a more specific diagnosis, I've also found support groups of people with similar experiences. I'm learning from them and recognize just how lucky I am that my condition isn't the more severe form. The groups also provide an opportunity for me to support others with words of encouragement and my knowledge of the system.
2. Self-management: As my condition progressed and my diagnosis evolved, I turned to the Internet to learn more. In some cases, this lead to information on blogs , YouTube and other social sites. I consider ways I can make accommodations to do at least some of what I use to do; and now share this insight with others who have functional limitations on my social sites.
3. Communication needs: As noted in #1, I stay in touch with family and friends and have started communicating with others on this same, slow journey to recovery.
4. Relevant information: Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest are all delivering relevant information based upon my shifting interests. I appreciate the help and leads to things of potential interest.
5. Right channels: Many of the sources I've found are also on my social sites. Perhaps their social presence did contribute to more visibility!
6. Listening skills: After one particularly frustrating day with @UCLAHealth I vented on Twitter; and they were listening. Humm, maybe I should tweet about the confusing signage on their garage elevators.
Hi @Cthielst we apologize. Thank U for reaching out. Please fill out this form https://t.co/bDoOtijD85 so a representative can contact you
— UCLA Health (@UCLAHealth) June 27, 2017
7. Gathering intelligence: I'm currently using social sites to gather intelligence on patient needs - so I can consider solutions to help people stay active even with conditions that limit their physical abilities.
8. Multimedia messaging: I have found some excellent education information delivered with video and graphics. This includes "how-to" and what I need to know.
9. Patient choice: I like the efficiency of social communications. I still call my mom and dad, or other friends and family when it is more appropriate than a message on Facebook.
10. Alignment effort: The experience described above has lead to my own social performance improvement; including a new Facebook page focused on my considerations for active living.
How has social media helped you as a patient? What do you think healthcare leaders need to know about social media and the patient experience?
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