Social media at my daily work
I work as a public health nurse in student healthcare. In my work, I use several digital systems daily, such as an electronic patient record system, email, Teams, Tele-Q call-back system and Wilma, which serves as a communication channel between schools and homes.. I also place orders for medical supplies and office materials through an electronic system.
Due to data protection and ethical guidelines, the use of social media is limited within the social and healthcare sector. In the organization where I work, social media channels are in use, but they are mostly maintained by professional communication staff. I do not personally use social media in my daily work, but I am increasingly interested in the topic.
Healthcare professionals’ profiles are becoming more common on social media, where they share information related to health and well-being in an approachable and visually engaging way. Social media enables a rapid dissemination of current information and is able to reach target groups that traditional communication methods are not.
However, using social media also presents challenges. Data protection and privacy issues must be carefully considered. It is important to ensure that the information shared is not misleading or disrespectful to clients. In addition, the reach of communication may be limited, and maintaining social media channels requires time, skills and resources, which are not always available. It can also be difficult to assess the reliability of content, and algorithms influence what users see.
I selected five applications that I could potentially use in relation to my work:
Instagram / TikTok: These platforms could be useful in student healthcare, for example in promoting student well-being, providing health education and encouraging interaction with data protection in mind. Many healthcare organizations already use these platforms, and they offer visually accessible information about topics like healthy lifestyles.
Jodel: I have never used Jodel, and to be honest, I don’t think I ever will, but I think it could serve as a low-threshold discussion forum, for example in a Q&A format. The anonymous nature of the platform allows honest discussion, but it can also lead to inappropriate comments and misuse. Data protection and professional ethics are essential considerations here.
Evernote: I was not familiar with Evernote before, but I became interested in it because I frequently take notes and create different kinds of lists. I wouldn’t use it in client work, but it could support collaboration, planning and development within the student welfare team, for example when organizing events.
Canva: Canva is a useful tool for creating visual materials. At our educational institution, various events and theme days are organized to promote well-being and community. Canva could be used for communication related to these events, for example, in creating posters, brochures, or social media content. It can also be used to produce visually appealing and clear notices for the reception or waiting room.
LinkedIn: Through my studies, I have become interested in using LinkedIn to build professional visibility, showcase my expertise, network and to take part in advocacy work. It could also be a useful channel for sharing professional knowledge and best practices. Additionally, LinkedIn could support job searching and exploring career opportunities. I have a LinkedIn profile but haven’t used it actively yet.
The key to a successful digital system is user-centred design, functionality, security and continuous development. In digital systems, I consider ease of use, intuitiveness and clarity to be essential. Users should be able to navigate the application effortlessly. The application must fulfil its intended tasks and operate reliably and quickly. Ensuring security and effectively protecting user data and other information is an absolute requirement. From a usability perspective, it is also important that applications function smoothly across different devices, operating systems and browsers. Good user support and clear instructions help users take full advantage of the systems.
Self-Evaluation
The assignment made me think about the advantages, challenges and possibilities of using social media and digital tools in the work of a public health nurse in student healthcare. Social media is developing quickly, and new platforms are constantly emerging. It is challenging to stay up to date and assess which applications are truly useful in one’s work. Nevertheless, my interest in the topic continues to grow, and I see social media as a versatile tool, if the responsibilities and boundaries related to its use are clearly defined.