The Impact of Social Media Usage on Healthcare Delivery among Nurses

Abstract

Introduction: Social media platforms have become integral to communication and information exchange in various sectors, including healthcare. For nurses, these platforms provide opportunities for professional networking, accessing clinical updates, and improving patient care through shared knowledge. Objective: The study aimed to understand the use of social media and its impact on healthcare delivery among nurses at a specific hospital. Methodology: A mixed-method approach was adopted, combining both quantitative and qualitative data. A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted with 313 nurses from various clinical departments in a tertiary healthcare institution. Data collection involved structured questionnaires for quantitative analysis and focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs) for qualitative insights. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 22, and qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis with NVivo software. Results: The study found that Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter are the most commonly used platforms among nurses for exchanging health information. Key areas of focus included patient experiences, clinical updates, and best practices. Nurses reported that social media allowed them to quickly access up-to-date information and facilitated collaboration with peers. However, challenges such as concerns over patient privacy, the reliability of online information, and the absence of formal guidelines were noted. Conclusion: Social media has significant potential to enhance clinical decision-making and improve patient care among nurses in Ghana. However, barriers such as privacy concerns, unreliable internet access, and the absence of structured guidelines limit its full potential in professional practice. Recommendations: The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with health services, private agencies, and network providers, should also develop clear guidelines for social media use in clinical settings.