Benefits and Barriers of Pediatric Healthcare Providers toward Using Social Media in Asthma Care

Background: Adolescents with asthma are the least compliant age group for asthma management. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore attitudes, beliefs and perceptions of two pediatric physician groups towards using social media technology (SMT) to improve asthma management in adolescents. Methods: We employed in-depth interviews and a focus group to understand pediatric attending physicians’ and residents’ perspectives of SMT use in asthma management. We analyzed data using the constant comparative method. Results: Physicians acknowledge the importance of health education for asthma management and the potential for SMT. Identified benefits include enhanced understanding of how adolescents perceive asthma, improved patient-provider relationships, the availability of an interactive venue and an additional way to provide accurate information to asthmatic teens. The barriers consisted of time constraints during office hours, personal commitments, work schedules, lack of comfort with the technology and perceived liability issues. Discussion: SMT is considered a valuable tool to reach this target population. The barriers of using SMT need to be overcome for voluntary adoption to occur. Translation to Health Education Practice: SMTs may provide a dynamic platform for both health education and allow physicians to better understand the needs and wants of adolescents with chronic diseases. Martinasek MP, Panzera AD, Schneider T, Lindenberger JH, Bryant CA, McDermott RJ, et al. Attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions of pediatric healthcare providers toward using social media in asthma care. Am J Health Educ. 2011;42(4):213-221. This paper was submitted to the Journal on December 17, 2010, revised and accepted for publication on May 8, 2011. Social Media and Health Education Mary P. Martinasek is a research associate at the Florida Prevention Research Center and the Center for Social Marketing, MDC 056, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612; E-mail: [email protected]. Anthony D. Panzera is a research associate at the Florida Prevention Research Center, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612. Tali Schneider is a research associate at the Florida Prevention Research Center, MDC 056, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612. James H. Lindenberger is the director at the Center for Social Marketing, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612. Carol A. Bryant is a professor at the Florida Prevention Research Center, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612. Robert J. McDermott is a professor in the Department of Community and Family Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612. Marisa Couluris is a pediatrician in the Pediatric Pulmonology Department, University of South Florida, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612.