Implications of social media use on health information technology engagement: Data from HINTS 4 cycle 3

Abstract

Little is known about the association between Internet/ social media use and health information technology (HIT) engagement. This study examines patterns of social media use and HIT engagement in the U.S.A. using data from the 2013 Health Information National Trends Survey (N = 3,164). Specifically, predictors of two HIT activities (i.e., communicating with a healthcare provider using the Internet or email and tracking personal health information electronically) are examined. Persons who were females, higher education, non-Hispanic others, having a regular healthcare provider, and ages 35-44 were more likely to participate in HIT activities. After controlling for sociodemographics and health correlates, social media use was significantly associated with HIT engagement. To our knowledge, this is one of the first studies to systematically examine the use and relationships across multiple types of health-related online media. KEYWORDSInternet access, Social media use, Health information technology engagement, Communication inequalities INTRODUCTION Health information technology (HIT) has the potential to be a vital tool for individuals' management of health and healthcare needs. Commonly used HIT activities include accessing electronic health records (EHR), transferring health information between patients and their healthcare providers through a secure electronic messaging system, and using e-Health tools like wearable mobile health devices to monitor health status. Engagement of HIT activities (e.g., accessing and tracking personal health information electronically to monitor one's healthcare) has been relatively low in comparison to social media use for health information purposes. However, an increasing percentage of U.S. adults are using social media to obtain information and possibly building digital literacy skills that prime them to engage with HIT. Current social media use trends suggest increased levels of digital literacy and health information activities, which may imply an individuals' likelihood for HIT engagement. Understanding patterns of social media use (both general use and health specific use) in the U.S. population and the association between social

Rural and Urban Differences in the Adoption of New Health Information and Medical Technologies

“…For example, of the 5.9 million Veteran's Health Administration (VA) patients receiving health care services in 2017, approximately 42% had access to secure messaging . In 2013, the HINTS, a nationally representative US survey, found that 30% of Internet‐accessing US adults reported communicating with a health care provider using the Internet or email . Our findings regarding email use (24%), in particular, appear lower than these prior surveys.…”

Lung Cancer Messages on Twitter: Content Analysis and Evaluation

“…However, the nature and extent of social media-based lung cancer communication are unknown. Recent research has focused on identifying effective channels for delivering cancer information to stakeholders [2], examining how social media may be leveraged to promote public health knowledge [3].…”

Towards Health Equity: Deaf Adults’ Engagement in Social e-Health Activities and e-Communication with Health Care Providers

“…Growing research on eHealth activities within the general population has begun to illustrate an association between health-related social media use and patient-provider communication. Jackson, Chou, Coa, Oh, & Hesse (2016) investigated the relationship between health-related social media use, including reading and sharing health information, and participating in an online support group, and online communication with healthcare providers. Results found that those who engaged in social eHealth activities were more likely to communicate with their health care provider via the internet or email.…”