The Importance Of Social Media On Doctors And People During Corona Time

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has produced a global health crisis that has had a deep impact on the way we perceive our world and everyday lives. Not only the spread rate of contagion and patterns of transmission endangered our sense of security, but the safety measures put in place to contain the spread of the virus also require social distancing. In this context of physical threat, social and physical distancing, the role of the different mass media channels and social media in lives of individual, social and societal levels cannot be underestimated.

Aim of the study: to examine the importance of social media on doctors and people during covid-19 period.

Research Questions: What is the importance of social media on doctors and people during covid-19 period?

Methods: This is a cross-sectional web-based anonymous survey. Data were collected from Health Care Professional (HCPs) via fulfilling online designed questionnaire. Descriptive statistics with frequencies and percentages are presented.

Results: Of 407 participants, a total of 391 completed the survey (response rate: 96%); two-third of participants were females, 43.2% were aged 20-30 years and most were not employee (45%). Whats App and Instagram were mostly used by respondents with (38%) and (34%) respectively.  40% of the respondents use the social media for more than four hours. During Covid-19, 29% of the participants followed health news, 22% followed Covid-19 news, while 21% followed other news. Most participants (68%) had social media as their main source of information on pandemic such as Covid-19 and further affirmed that they followed many doctors during Covid-19. 

Conclusion: Whats App and Instagram are useful platforms to spread right information about diseases during pandemics. Doctors are on the spotlight during pandemics and grossly trusted for prosper dissemination of information during pandemics.