Social media sites providing health info need greater transparency

Social media can be a useful resource for patients and caregivers to connect with others and share experiences when dealing with medical conditions. A study from the Mayo Clinic found that an online community on Facebook was successful in helping esophageal cancer survivors cope with treatment decisions and post-operative challenges. However, another study from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation found that while YouTube can provide patient education and support, the content related to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was often inaccurate and misleading. Healthcare providers need to ensure they provide accurate and reliable information to counteract this.