Potential benefits of social media to healthcare: A systematic literature review

Abstract

Social media offers a rich online experience, dynamic content, usability, and knowledge that attracts more users. The use of social media in the health sector is indeed attracting more and more attention. Over the last ten years, researchers have attempted various topics related to the health sector via social media that have contributed beneficially to the healthcare domain. There is a demand for a study to identify the potential benefits of social media to healthcare. Thus, this paper surveys research papers related to the social media platform in the healthcare domain that were published between the years (2014–2020). The primary objective of this study is to review the range, nature, and extent of current research activity on the role of social media in healthcare. Therefore, this paper outlines the recent approaches to the utilization of social media to provide solutions for health-related issues. Also, it discusses the role of social media in promoting health care services. The study addresses the key issues addressed in the latest research, provides an overview of their shortcomings, restrictions, and finally, outlines the opportunities for future research.