Open AccessIs it possible to teach good health practices using social media?
Author(s) -
Santiago Tavares Paes,
Stephania Neves Scapim,
Carlos Gabriel de Lade,
Helder Barra de Moura,
Hélder Zimmermann Oliveira,
Fernanda Dias Coelho,
Raphael Soares,
Marcionilio Neto
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
research, society and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2525-3409
DOI - 10.33448/rsd-v10i12.20600
Subject(s) - influencer marketing , social media , dissemination , certification , information dissemination , public relations , relevance (law) , content analysis , health education , medical education , psychology , internet privacy , public health , computer science , medicine , political science , sociology , world wide web , social science , business , nursing , marketing , telecommunications , relationship marketing , law , marketing management
Social media represents a powerful weapon to promote health education. The aim of the present study was to investigate how health information is discussed and disseminated by people who do not have specific academic certification but are legitimized due to their experiences. We conducted a narrative review of the literature published from 2016 to 2021 in PubMed, using the search terms “Social Media”, “Health” and “Education”, and their variations according to MeSH. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which evaluated the use of social media to disseminate health information content were included in the analysis. Despite the undeniable role of social media in disseminating content concerning health practices, the use of these platforms without proper scientific support or academic certification by so-called health influencers can promote questionable content. A number of studies demonstrate that content published on social media can negatively influence the health of users. Greater scientific rigor and professional training could contribute to guarantee reliability of data regarding health information shared on social media. More studies must assess the relevance of using virtual tools for sharing content aimed at improving health and scientific reliability.