Nursing needs its leaders to respond to Francis
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Cooper A (2013) Using social networks to help patients self-care. Nursing Times; 109: 10, 22-24.
5 key points
- Social media provide opportunities for some patients to forge supportive relationships with their peers
- Health professionals need a range of skills to work with patients in the digital environment
- Health professionals must respect the existence of remote peer relationships among people with long-term conditions
- Some patients may benefit from appropriate signposting to social networks
- More evidence is needed on the value of networks for patients
Let’s discuss…
- Why is self-management important for people with long-term conditions?
- Define the term peer support. Who can provide peer support for patients with diabetes?
- How do people with long-term conditions benefit from using social networks?
- The author of this article suggests social media create both opportunities and threats for patients and health professionals. Describe these opportunities and threats.
- Should health professionals facilitate and signpost patients to social networks for peer support?
- How would you define social exclusion? After reading this article do you think patients who do not engage with social networks are at risk of social exclusion?
From Putting it into practice
How do we put research into practice in the surgery or the hospital ward? Each week we’ll pick out a practice article and pose some topics for debate and you can pose your own questions too …Follow the weekly debates on twitter with #NTjournalclub
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