Skip to content Skip to navigation
University of Warwick
  • Study
  • |
  • Research
  • |
  • Business
  • |
  • Alumni
  • |
  • News
  • |
  • About

University of Warwick
Publications service & WRAP

Highlight your research

  • WRAP
    • Home
    • Search WRAP
    • Browse by Warwick Author
    • Browse WRAP by Year
    • Browse WRAP by Subject
    • Browse WRAP by Department
    • Browse WRAP by Funder
    • Browse Theses by Department
  • Publications Service
    • Home
    • Search Publications Service
    • Browse by Warwick Author
    • Browse Publications service by Year
    • Browse Publications service by Subject
    • Browse Publications service by Department
    • Browse Publications service by Funder
  • Help & Advice
University of Warwick

The Library

  • Login
  • Admin

Social networks : the future for health care delivery

Tools
- Tools
+ Tools

Griffiths, Frances, Cave, Jonathan A. K., Boardman, Felicity K., Ren, Justin, Pawlikowska, T., Ball, Robin, Clarke, Aileen and Cohen, Alan B. (2012) Social networks : the future for health care delivery. Social Science & Medicine, Volume 75 (Number 12). pp. 2233-2241. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.08.023 ISSN 02779536.

[img]
Preview
Text
WRAP_Clarke_1-s2.0-S0277953612006302-main.pdf - Accepted Version

Download (626Kb) | Preview
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.08.023

Request Changes to record.

Abstract

With the rapid growth of online social networking for health, health care systems are experiencing an inescapable increase in complexity. This is not necessarily a drawback; self-organising, adaptive networks could become central to future health care delivery. This paper considers whether social networks composed of patients and their social circles can compete with, or complement, professional networks in assembling health-related information of value for improving health and health care. Using the framework of analysis of a two-sided network – patients and providers – with multiple platforms for interaction, we argue that the structure and dynamics of such a network has implications for future health care. Patients are using social networking to access and contribute health information. Among those living with chronic illness and disability and engaging with social networks, there is considerable expertise in assessing, combining and exploiting information. Social networking is providing a new landscape for patients to assemble health information, relatively free from the constraints of traditional health care. However, health information from social networks currently complements traditional sources rather than substituting for them. Networking among health care provider organisations is enabling greater exploitation of health information for health care planning. The platforms of interaction are also changing. Patient-doctor encounters are now more permeable to influence from social networks and professional networks. Diffuse and temporary platforms of interaction enable discourse between patients and professionals, and include platforms controlled by patients. We argue that social networking has the potential to change patterns of health inequalities and access to health care, alter the stability of health care provision and lead to a reformulation of the role of health professionals. Further research is needed to understand how network structure combined with its dynamics will affect the flow of information and potentially the allocation of health care resources.

Item Type: Journal Article
Subjects: R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
Divisions: Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences > Population, Evidence & Technologies (PET) > Warwick Evidence
Faculty of Social Sciences > Economics
Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences
Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Science > Physics
Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School
Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences > Social Science & Systems in Health (SSSH)
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): Online social networks, Internet in medicine, Medical care -- Technological innovation
Journal or Publication Title: Social Science & Medicine
Publisher: Elsevier Science BV
ISSN: 02779536
Official Date: 2012
Dates:
DateEvent
2012Published
Volume: Volume 75
Number: Number 12
Page Range: pp. 2233-2241
DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.08.023
Status: Peer Reviewed
Publication Status: Published
Access rights to Published version: Restricted or Subscription Access
Date of first compliant deposit: 22 December 2015
Date of first compliant Open Access: 22 December 2015

Request changes or add full text files to a record

Repository staff actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics

twitter

Email us: wrap@warwick.ac.uk
Contact Details
About Us