Social networks: A quality tool for health dissemination?

Social networks are integrated in our lives and, amongst other functions, they are a means of dissemination. There are numerous social network accounts dedicated to health that could be used as an educational resource. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of accounts dedicated to health in different social networks, assessing their content and didactic and technological effectiveness and accessibility.

Observational cross‑sectional descriptive study in which an analysis of social networks related to health was carried out from April to June 2021 in Spain. Twenty‑eight accounts were analysed using a mixed qualitative‑quantitative methodology. Content analysis of the speeches disseminated through the selected accounts was performed. In addition, the quality of the accounts was assessed with the Instrumento de Evaluación de Recursos Educativos Digitales (#IE_RED) (Digital Educational Resources Evaluation Instrument [#IE_RED]).

Four categories were identified according to the content: student‑focused profiles, specific professionals’ profiles, current health issues and profiles promoting a healthy lifestyle. In addition, the quality of the accounts obtained a score that indicates they meet the requirements to be validated as a good educational digital resource but could be improved. Instagram social network accounts and those managed by nurses scored significantly higher.

The analysed accounts were revealed as a quality tool for health dissemination, with varied content and applicable to teaching. Their use could be applied both to the training of health professionals and to the promotion of the population’s health.