The Role of Social Networks in Healthcare: Applications and Limitations

Today, social networks play an important role in increasing the relationships between people around the world. In this study, the performance of social networks in maintaining health and the way they affect the health level has been investigated. In this study, a library-based research is applied. Using an extensive review of literature, applications of social network services in the healthcare sector have been identified. Finally, based on the results of study, the practical recommendations have been proposed. The findings show that the use of social networks in the healthcare sector has some significant applications and some side effects. These networks can be used in the treatment of mental illness using the helps of influential users, controlling the epidemics, finding the long-term complications, and dynamic assessment of healthcare centers, etc.