The OSHAA 30-Hours Professional Diploma in The Use of Social Media in Healthcare is a contemporary programme designed to equip participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to navigate social media responsibly and effectively within healthcare settings. As digital platforms continue to transform communication across all industries, understanding the role of social media in healthcare has become essential for professionals seeking to maintain ethical standards, protect patient confidentiality, and enhance engagement.
This diploma offers a structured exploration of how social media can be used to support healthcare communication, education, patient outreach, and public health campaigns. Participants will examine both the opportunities and challenges associated with social media, including reputation management, misinformation, privacy risks, and regulatory compliance.
The programme places strong emphasis on the ethical and legal considerations that must guide any social media activity in a healthcare context. Participants will review relevant policies, codes of conduct, and data protection laws to ensure all communication aligns with professional standards. Practical case studies and real-world scenarios provide context for applying these principles in day-to-day practice.
Designed to support professionals working across a wide range of healthcare roles, this diploma is particularly valuable for those responsible for communication, patient relations, health education, and digital strategy. Participants will leave the course with the skills needed to confidently manage social media channels, avoid common pitfalls, and use digital tools to enhance both patient experience and organisational visibility.
OSHAA 30-Hours Professional Diploma in The Use of Social Media in Healthcare
Study Units
Learning Outcomes
Introduction to Social Media in the Healthcare Sector (3 hours)
- Understand the role of social media in modern healthcare communication
- Identify the main platforms used by healthcare professionals and organisations
- Recognise the growing influence of digital presence in patient engagement
- Explore the scope and trends of social media usage in global health contexts
Benefits and Risks of Social Media Use in Healthcare (3 hours)
- Evaluate the advantages of using social media for healthcare education and outreach
- Identify the potential risks associated with online communication in clinical settings
- Understand the impact of social media on patient trust and institutional reputation
- Analyse case examples highlighting effective and problematic social media use
Digital Communication Strategies for Healthcare Professionals (4 hours)
- Learn how to plan and execute effective digital communication within healthcare roles
- Understand the principles of audience targeting, message clarity, and tone
- Develop skills to engage diverse patient and public groups online
- Explore methods to align communication with professional and organisational values
Ethical and Legal Considerations in Healthcare Social Media Use (4 hours)
- Understand ethical guidelines for professional conduct on social media
- Identify relevant legislation affecting online healthcare communications
- Learn to manage risks related to defamation, confidentiality breaches, and consent
- Explore professional body standards and regulatory expectations
Patient Confidentiality, Consent, and Data Protection Online (6 hours)
- Understand the importance of patient privacy in all digital interactions
- Learn how to protect confidential information when posting or sharing content
- Explore the legal frameworks governing consent and data sharing
- Develop best practices for maintaining trust and legal compliance online
Creating and Managing Professional Healthcare Content (4 hours)
- Learn how to create informative, respectful, and evidence-based content
- Understand visual and written content standards in a clinical context
- Gain skills in content planning, scheduling, and platform-specific optimisation
- Explore content moderation and response strategies for audience engagement
Using Social Media for Public Health Education and Campaigns (3 hours)
- Identify key components of an effective public health campaign online
- Learn how to develop messages that encourage positive health behaviours
- Understand methods for evaluating the reach and impact of health content
- Explore examples of successful digital public health initiatives
Managing Misinformation and Digital Reputation (3 hours)
- Understand the risks posed by medical misinformation on social platforms
- Learn strategies to identify, respond to, and correct false or harmful content
- Explore proactive methods for maintaining a trustworthy digital reputation
- Develop guidelines for consistent, professional online conduct during crises
Course Benefits – OSHAA 30-Hours Professional Diploma in The Use of Social Media in Healthcare
- Gain a professional understanding of how to use social media effectively within healthcare settings
- Develop digital communication skills tailored to patient engagement, health promotion, and public awareness
- Understand the ethical, legal, and regulatory considerations involved in online healthcare communication
- Learn how to protect patient confidentiality, ensure data security, and manage digital consent
- Acquire practical skills in creating, managing, and evaluating healthcare content across various platforms
- Build confidence in addressing misinformation and safeguarding digital reputation
- Enhance the ability to align social media activities with institutional policies and public health objectives
- Strengthen communication strategies to support community outreach and education initiatives
- Improve readiness to lead or contribute to digital campaigns in clinical or public health contexts
- Earn a recognised qualification that supports career advancement in healthcare communication, health education, and digital strategy roles
The OSHAA 30-Hours Professional Diploma in The Use of Social Media in Healthcare is designed for individuals seeking to enhance their ability to communicate effectively and responsibly within healthcare environments using digital platforms. This course is particularly suited for:
- Participants working in healthcare, public health, or health education roles
- Individuals responsible for managing communication, outreach, or digital engagement within healthcare organisations
- Healthcare professionals aiming to build a safe and professional online presence
- Those involved in designing or supporting public health campaigns and health promotion initiatives
- Participants interested in understanding the ethical and legal boundaries of social media use in clinical and community contexts
- Anyone looking to contribute to trustworthy digital health communication and patient engagement
This diploma provides a practical and ethical foundation for using social media as a professional tool to support health outcomes, improve public trust, and navigate the challenges of modern healthcare communication.
