Academic Research Journal on Health Information Management

Vol. 3(1), pp. 1-6, January 2022

ISSN: 2734-2190

https://doi.org/10.14662/arjhim2022005

 

Full Length Research

 

 

Patients’ perception of Social Media Use on Health Service Delivery among Patients and Health Care Providers amidst COVID-19 in Military Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

 

1Ikpoko-Ore-Ebirien Dike Isaruk, 2Miracle Anaka, 3Justina I. D. Isaruk, 4Pauline Chidima Okocha, 5Eberechi Omengbeoji and 6Wosa, Sylvanus Amadioha

 

Corresponding Author Addresses:  

1Academic/Profession: NC, ND, HND, BSc., PGDE, MSc. Ph. D. Student, RMHIM School of Health Information Management, Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Email: dykeman1974@gmail.com & https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6221-4643  

2Department of Health Information Management, Rivers State College of Health Science & Management Technology, Port Harcourt, Nigeria  

3RMHIM, Department of Health Information Management, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria  

4M&E Officer, RMHIM, Department of Health, Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Rivers State, Nigeria  

5Department of Health Information Management, Rivers State College of Health Science & Management Technology, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.  

6School of health information management, Rivers State College of Heath science and management technology, Port Harcourt.  

Accepted 14 January 2022

Abstract

Abstract: The study examined Patients’ perception of social media use on health service delivery among patients, and healthcare providers in Military Hospital Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was adopted. The population of the study consists of 133 health providers and 150 outpatients. The sample size of 97 healthcare providers and 108 patients was determined using Krejcie and Morgan (1990) sample size determination table. The questionnaire items were structured into Likert four rating scale types of strongly agreed, agreed, disagreed, and strongly disagreed. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics tools like frequency and percentage tables. The Findings revealed that patients perceived social media use in Military Hospital Port Harcourt enhances their timely awareness on key health tips- strongly agreed 22(40%), agreed 22(40%); provides an avenue for their involvement in decision-making regarding their health care management- agreed 21(38%); enables them to get prompt accurate information for their follow-up care- strongly agreed 16(29%) and agreed 24(44%). Conclusively, the delivery of quality health services cannot be carried out effectively and efficiently without the use of social media by patients and providers in any hospital. Despite its numerous benefits, challenges like poor network, inability to frequently update the apps, and unethical practices are always encountered when using social media. Therefore, the management of Military Hospital Port Harcourt in collaboration with the Rivers State Government should consistently be improved on network coverage, patients-healthcare providers’ relationships to streamline ways of curtailing any lingering challenges in the use of social media that could affect the quality of health services in the state.

 

Keywords: Health Service Delivery, Impacts, Military Hospital, Patients, Providers, Social Media Use.

Paper type: research