Electronic Health Promotion

Electronic Health Promotion

NURS 111 - Fall 2025

Learning Outcome

  • Practice professional behaviors when using social media and other electronic communication methods.

Introduction to Electronic Health Promotion

  • Definition:

    • Use of digital tools to promote health behaviors and literacy.

    • Literacy:

    • Basic ability to read, write, speak, and understand written language.

    • Functional literacy:

    • The ability to use reading and writing skills in everyday life.

    • Health literacy:

    • The ability to find, understand, and use health information to make appropriate health decisions.

    • Digital literacy:

    • The ability to use technology and digital tools to access, evaluate, and communicate information.

Growth in Usage of Electronic Health Promotion

  • Statistics:

    • 7 in 10 adults look online for health information.

    • 96% of hospitals have certified Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems.

    • HITECH Act (2009):

    • Provided incentives, including financial bonuses, to eligible hospitals and providers who adopted certified EHR systems and utilized them in a meaningful and interoperable manner.

    • 21st Century Cures Act (2016):

    • Banned information blocking and mandated that hospitals electronically share patient data while allowing patients access to their own medical data.

Platforms Families Use to Seek Health Information

  • Common Platforms:

    • Search Engines:

    • Google, Bing

    • Social Media:

    • Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter (X)

    • Health-Specific Sites:

    • WebMD, Mayo Clinic, MedlinePlus, Healthline

    • Parenting Apps & Forums:

    • BabyCenter, What to Expect, Reddit

Risks & Challenges of Digital Health Information

  • Misinformation & Disinformation:

    • Misinformation:

    • False or inaccurate information spread without the intent to deceive.

    • Disinformation:

    • False information spread deliberately to mislead or deceive.

  • Over-reliance on Influencers vs. Professionals:

    • Concerns regarding a lack of fact-checking and information Sharing prior to validation.

  • Low Health Literacy and Digital Literacy:

    • Contributes to challenges in navigating health information.

  • AI-Generated Content:

    • Examples include ChatGPT and symptom checkers (e.g., WebMD).

    • Risks include inaccurate self-diagnosis and treatment.

Social Media, Communication, and Health Promotion

  • Role of Social Media in Health Education:

    • Platforms such as Instagram and TikTok are used for health promotion and awareness.

    • Facilitation of patient education, myth-busting, live Q&As, and webinars.

  • Direct Messaging and HIPAA Considerations:

    • Important to obtain consent prior to using direct messaging for patient communication.

    • Verification needed to ensure the patient is the one accessing the messaging service.

  • Telehealth & Patient Portals:

    • Enhance quick communication through secured messaging and transparency of test results.

    • Assist patients who face transportation challenges or those with limited access to healthcare services.

  • Family Engagement via Texts, Apps, Videos:

    • Foster comfort and ease for families in accessing health information.

    • Challenges in adhering to HIPAA due to the variety of platforms utilized.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Health Information

  • Examples of AI Applications:

    • Symptom checkers, chatbots, and predictive algorithms.

  • Benefits of AI:

    • Personalization of health information services, increased accessibility, and quicker response times.

  • Risks Associated with AI:

    • Potential for bias, usage of outdated data, and lack of professional oversight.

Tips for Recommending Reputable Health Sources

  • General Guidelines:

    • Utilize government and academic sites such as CDC, NIH, WHO, and MedlinePlus.

    • Focus on reputable sites, specifically those with domains ending in .org, .edu, or .gov.

    • Always check the date of the article to ensure it is within 5-10 years of publication.

    • Evaluate author credentials (e.g., RN, MD, DO, PA, MPH).

    • Encourage cross-comparison of information across multiple sources.

  • Educational Tools for Families:

    • Teach families how to utilize:

    • HONcode: Health on the Net certification for evaluating information quality.

    • CRAAP Test:

      • Currency: Is the information up to date?

      • Relevance: Is the information relevant to the topic?

      • Authority: Who is the author and what are their qualifications?

      • Accuracy: Is the information evidence-based and sound?

      • Purpose: What is the reason for the presentation of the information? - Understand potential biases (disinformative purposes, commercial motives, entertainment, persuasion).