This is a Guest Post by Lindsey from ProfessionalIntern.com.

Social media has revolutionized communication: from education to business, social media has given millions of users the power to make their voices heard, to communicate with friends and strangers, and to share and receive information on an endless list of subjects. But it’s also been a surprisingly effective tool in helping ordinary people learn more about newly-diagnosed medical conditions, techniques for treating symptoms, and details about general topics like nutrition and fitness.


Playing for health

The popularity of social games has exploded in the past few years, and game companies and health care businesses alike are hoping to gain a foothold in a new market. According to the Wall Street Journal apps that give customers alerts, personalized information and weight-loss plans are attracting large audiences. By adding game elements and incentives to play, users can feel both a sense of involvement with their health care, as well as receive rewards for playing.


An app a day

It seems like smartphones can do everything, and now people are using them to monitor their health. WebMD's Android app  allows users to look up symptoms of a variety of illnesses, search for local health provider listings, identify pills and medications, and find first aid tools. And with apps that can track your workout progress, your diet and your overall health, users are now sharing their activities from the apps on social networks like Twitter and Facebook. By making health care a social activity, people are sharing more information about their health, learning from friends and professionals about medical conditions, and making an effort to improve their own habits.

…but it’s still the Internet

With thousands of websites and apps devoted to health care and wellness, it can be easy to get bogged down in the sheer volume of choices. But the Internet isn’t always a safe place; it’s important to check the sources you use for health advice rigorously. Be sure that you’re taking advice from authoritative sites: WebMD is the most recognizable health care website, but other sites—like those run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have been populated with reliable and up-to-date information.

Before acting on any of the advice you see on a health website, be sure to check the pages and make sure that they’ve been produced from reputable sources. Consider starting locally, or with reputable medical providers like IU Health’s sites, which are populated with information collected by knowledgeable professionals.

As social media becomes more integrated into our everyday lives, health care and wellness initiatives will become digital as well. For patients and medical professionals alike, this development can be a way for people to take their health care into their own hands—and put it into their laptops and mobile devices.

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