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Article
Physiotherapy 2.0: Leveraging Social Media to Engage Patients in Rehabilitation and Health Promotion
Physical Therapy Journal (2014)
  • Emily Knight, The University of Western Ontario
  • Robert J Werstein, The University of Western Ontario
  • Diane M Rasmussen-Pennington, The University of Western Ontario
  • Deborah A Fitzsimmons, The University of Western Ontario
  • Robert J Petrella, The University of Western Ontario
Abstract
Care for chronic conditions and non-communicable diseases are dominating health systems around the globe. For physiotherapists, this presents a substantial opportunity for engaging patients in health promotion and disease management in the years to come. Examples of social media being used to engage consumers in the business landscape are pervasive, and research reports suggest that patients are ready for social media to be incorporated in the way health systems deliver care. We propose that leveraging the power and utility of existing technologies, such as social media, could innovate the way physiotherapists engage patients in rehabilitation and health promotion practices, thus contributing to the evolution of the profession: Physiotherapy 2.0. To continue to be relevant in the community, physiotherapy practice must respond to patients’ needs and expectations. Incorporating social media in how physiotherapists are both designing and delivering care holds potential for enhancing patient engagement in prescribed health behaviors and improving treatment outcomes. This conceptual paper presents the perspective that physiotherapists can utilize social media to enhance care delivery and treatment outcomes.
Keywords
  • Physiotherapy,
  • social media,
  • patient engagement
Publication Date
Winter March 9, 2014
Citation Information
Emily Knight, Robert J Werstein, Diane M Rasmussen-Pennington, Deborah A Fitzsimmons, et al.. "Physiotherapy 2.0: Leveraging Social Media to Engage Patients in Rehabilitation and Health Promotion" Physical Therapy Journal (2014)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/deborah_fitzsimmons/19/