Utilization of Social Media in Work-Related Activities Among Healthcare Providers at National Spinal Injury Hospital, Nairobi

Abstract

Technology has permitted all aspects of life. Social media has been used to improve health and enhance practice. However, many professionals have not developed ways to extend professionalism in social media platforms, which has consequences for individual healthcare providers, the profession, the organization, and the patients. Globally, World Health Organization (WHO)has used various online platforms like Facebook and Twitter for the population’s health improvement through healthy behaviors promotion, supporting health policies, public health surveillance, encouraging citizen participation, and increasing citizen's knowledge of public health matters and allow them to take informed decisions hence optimize health care systems. The exploration of various ways in which healthcare providers utilize digital spaces in their work-related activities at the National Spinal Injury Hospital was the reason for the survey. The study was guided by several objectives including social media patterns used and the purpose of use by healthcare providers, the benefits, and adverse impact of online space to healthcare providers, and lastly, how the organization's culture influenced how social media was used in work-related activities. Method: The design of a convergent mixed method was used. Using stratified random sampling, a sample of 109 healthcare providers used for descriptive data was collected, and data from three key informant interviews with managerial positions within the hospital was also taken. Ethical clearance was sought from the relevant authorities which included KEMU (Ethical Review Committee) ERC, NACOSTI, The Ministry of Health, and the Ethical Committee from the Hospital. The response rate was 93%. Descriptive data was analyzed statistically using a scientific package for Social Sciences version 27 arranged in graphs and tables. Qualitative data was organized, analyzed thematically, and presented in prose. According to the reports from the survey, utilization of digital spaces was notably high (86.1%). Healthcare professionals (HCPs) predominantly utilized WhatsApp (M=3,72) and YouTube (M=3.05) at work, with increased usage of one platform likely associated with increased usage of others(P<0.05). They primarily employed social media platforms for knowledge sharing(M=3.61), networking with colleagues (M=3.56), and receiving professional updates(M=3.56). There was high knowledge about ethical social media use(M=4.5), technical proficiency(M=3.83), and benefits of ethical use of social media(M=4.31). Inferential statistics confidential level of significance used was 95%, there was no relationship between social demographic characteristics and the effects of using online spaces (p>0.05). A strong positive correlation was observed between various social media platforms (p=0.502), The Majority of social media effects were significantly and positively correlated with increased social media platforms use where (p<0.05). There are occasional instances of irresponsible social media were observed. In conclusion, lack of professionalism in online platforms was mainly because of the inadequate formal policies and rules governing responsible digital platform use or even non-adherence to them. Among others, this study recommended that the hospital administration and the hospital management committee should enhance regular sensitization programs to ensure all healthcare professionals are knowledgeable about ethical social media use.