digital media

Question 1

digital media for h&w

Answer 1

• internet search engines
• symptom checkers
• virtual reality
• health and wellbeing websites and apps
• technology-based patient consultations

Question 2

technology-based patient consultations

Answer 2

• doctor-patient consultations that use any form of technology including video conferencing, internet or telephone as an alternative to face-to-face consultations
• does not replace face-to-face where there often needs to be a physical exam
• can increase access to care for patients and increase efficiency

Question 3

virtual reality

Answer 3

• includes distraction therapy for patients undergoing chemotherapy
• training for doctors eg surgeons in hard to see surgeries
• allowing drs to experience how it might be for older patients with low vision or hearing or dementia

Question 4

symptom checkers

Answer 4

• help people determine a course of action when they are feeling unwell
• allow people to search their symptoms on a reliable source
• advises whether to see a gp or pharmacist or go to the emergency room after the users answers a number of questions about their symptoms

Question 5

mobile apps

Answer 5

• can be used to access specific health information on a wide range of topics
• eg nutrition information, exercise trackers, skin checks for moles, mental health support, addiction support

Question 6

beyondnow by beyondblue

Answer 6

• app for people experiencing suicidal thoughts and feelings
• provides a mobile, personalised safety plan that people can carry at all times to help them get through tough times

Question 7

general health and wellbeing websites

Answer 7

• provide general health and wellbeing information
• healthdirect.gov.au is a federal government service providing free Australian health advice on the internet including a symptom tracker and extensive list of health information based on conditions

Question 8

search engines

Answer 8

• google provides facts about common conditions including symptoms, treatments and useful facts about basic health conditions
• should assist users to gather more relevant information and decide which course to take
• can be misleading as results may show the worst case senario

Question 9

opportunities for h&w created by digital media

Answer 9

• rural and remote areas
• australians of low ses
• language barriers
• expanding on a diagnosis
• support groups

Question 10

rural and remote areas

Answer 10

• increased access to health information such as websites and mobile apps without having to travel long distances to see a healthcare professional.
• less time away from work and family
• less money spent on travel
• telehealth means people living far away from health providers can still access care without traveling

Question 11

ses

Answer 11

• apart from the cost of internet or phone connection, most of this information is able to be accessed for free
• more accessible for those who struggle with the cost of appointments

Question 12

language barriers

Answer 12

• those with language barriers can access health information in a variety of languages
• online translators used to interpret information

Question 13

expanding on a diagnosis

Answer 13

• useful if someone is trying to find out more information about an injury or disease diagnosis
• the patient may have more questions about the diagnosis after they have left the clinic

Question 14

support groups

Answer 14

• share their experiences, treatments or offer advice and support to people with certain health conditions
• they can connect with people and ask questions without having to travel long distances to seek personal support

Question 15

challenges for h&w created by digital media

Answer 15

• reliability of information
• low health literacy
• self-diagnosis
• self-medicating
• cyberchondria

Question 16

reliability of information

Answer 16

• sources are not always accurate, truthful or reliable and users may not know who is providing the advice
• anyone can post anything online and call themselves an expert
• medical advice is personalised and misinformation can lead to misdiagnosis and mistreatment

Question 17

low health literacy

Answer 17

• may not have the skills or knowledge to seek reliable advice and may act on misinformed advice
• high levels of health literacy are required to sort through the massive amounts of information and decide what is useful accurate and safe

Question 18

self-diagnosis

Answer 18

• the process of
  diagnosing or identifying medical
  conditions in oneself using books,
  online resources or past personal
  or family experiences
• the internet only gives information and cant ask questions to allow an accurate diagnosis
• this can lead to people jumping to conclusions about their conditions or missing serious symptoms
• can cause people to delay seeing a doctor

Question 19

self medicating

Answer 19

• a behaviour in which an individual uses a medication or substance to self-administer treatment for physical or psychological ailments
• the most widely used substances for self-medication are over-the-counter medicines used to treat common health issues at home.
• may mean the real condition is not treated correctly
• medication may cause other more serious health problems

Question 20

cyberchondria

Answer 20

• a term used to describe people who search
  medical symptoms online and believe they have the worst-case scenario for their symptoms