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Social networks : the future for health care delivery
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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
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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.08.023
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 | ||||
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| Subjects: | R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine | ||||
| Divisions: | Faculty of Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences > Population, Evidence & Technologies (PET) > Warwick Evidence Faculty of Social Sciences > Economics Faculty of Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences Faculty of Science > Physics Faculty of Medicine > Warwick Medical School Faculty of Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences > Social Science & Systems in Health (SSSH) |
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| 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: |
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| 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 |
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