2018, Number 2
Use of social networks in the Cuban National Health System
Alonso GP, Hernández VO, Alfonso SIR
Language: Spanish
References: 0
Page: 1-13
PDF size: 262.71 Kb.
ABSTRACT
In the field of public health, the use of social networks fosters information flow, autonomous learning, teamwork, communication, access to related networks, and contact between experts. The present work examines the use of social networks in the Cuban National Health System. We presents the strategy developed by the Cuban National Center of Medical Sciences Information in Facebook and Twitter, and its main results. In order to identify the different actors in social networks, the social participation platforms of Infomed were consulted and a search was conducted in Facebook and Twitter. The components of the strategy developed by the Cuban National Center of Medical Sciences Information were identified by consulting the specialists of the Website and Communication group of that institution. The main results of the strategy were examined with specialized tools. Sixty-four blogs, 3 063 mailing lists and 97 collaboration groups were identified in the Infomed network. Eighty-seven Cuban healthcare institutions were found to have profiles in Facebook and/or Twitter. Infomed shows a growing trend, with 7 245 and 1 814 followers, respectively. Analytics revealed a broad scope, a committed audience and a favorable impact on web statistics. The use of social networks in the Cuban health system is under development. The definition of institutional policies and strategies, as well as the information literacy of managers and users, constitutes the greatest challenges for their integration into the processes of information and knowledge management in health.