Social media may help patients stay motivated

MANHATTAN, KS - Social media websites may help patients stay motivated and accountable, according to one researcher.

Linda Yarrow, a dietitian and assistant professor of human nutrition at Kansas State University, said an increasing number of individuals seeking health information are turning to websites like Facebook to get support and advice in addition to their professional medical care.

According to Yarrow, 74 percent of adults use the Internet, and 80 percent of those users have looked for health information online. Thirty-four percent of adult Internet users have also read blogs or used social media to learn more about a medical issue or find support. The majority of individuals seeking online information or support are those with weight loss concerns.

Yarrow found that women were slightly more likely than men to use social media for health information, while more men are comfortable with it because they don't have to stop what they're doing to make an appointment and get information.

Support groups often come in the form of Facebook pages, YouTube videos or blogs, according to Yarrow. These online support groups provide connections to other users dealing with the same issues. Using social media sites also provides opportunities for accountability, Yarrow said. Health sites such as MyFitnessPal also allow users to record their daily food intake and share it with friends. Yarrow said having others monitor progress can lead to success in accomplishing health or fitness goals.

However, Yarrow also emphasized the importance of seeing a health care professional in conjunction with support groups, especially for critical illnesses. She also cautioned against misinformation, especially in consumer-run groups.

She added that more health professionals are seeing the benefits of online patient care.