Professional Diploma in Social Media Strategies for Healthcare
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 key platforms used by healthcare professionals and organisations
- Recognise the growing influence of digital presence on patient engagement
- Explore global trends and the expanding scope of social media in healthcare
- Appreciate the potential of social media for education, outreach, and professional networking
Benefits and Risks of Social Media Use in Healthcare (3 Hours)
- Evaluate advantages of social media for healthcare education and public outreach
- Identify potential risks and challenges of online communication in clinical settings
- Understand the impact of social media on patient trust and organisational reputation
- Analyse real-world case studies of effective and problematic social media use
- Develop strategies to maximise benefits while minimising risks
Digital Communication Strategies for Healthcare Professionals (4 Hours)
- Learn how to plan and implement effective digital communication strategies
- Understand audience targeting, clarity of messaging, and appropriate tone
- Develop skills to engage diverse patient populations and public audiences online
- Explore methods to align social media communication with professional values
- Recognise the importance of consistency, accuracy, and responsiveness in messaging
Ethical and Legal Considerations in Healthcare Social Media Use (4 Hours)
- Understand ethical guidelines for professional conduct on social media
- Identify relevant laws and regulations affecting online healthcare communication
- Learn how to manage risks related to defamation, confidentiality, and consent
- Explore professional body standards and regulatory expectations
- Develop strategies to maintain ethical and legal compliance in digital interactions
Patient Confidentiality, Consent, and Data Protection Online (6 Hours)
- Understand the critical importance of patient privacy in all digital communications
- Learn best practices to protect confidential information when posting or sharing content
- Explore legal frameworks governing consent and secure data handling
- Develop guidelines for maintaining patient trust and regulatory compliance
- Recognise the implications of breaches and strategies for prevention
Creating and Managing Professional Healthcare Content (4 Hours)
- Learn to produce informative, respectful, and evidence-based content
- Understand standards for visual and written content in clinical contexts
- Gain skills in content planning, scheduling, and platform optimisation
- Explore moderation techniques and engagement strategies for audience interaction
- Recognise the importance of professional consistency across platforms
Using Social Media for Public Health Education and Campaigns (3 Hours)
- Identify key elements of effective online public health campaigns
- Learn to craft messages that promote positive health behaviours
- Understand methods to evaluate reach, engagement, and impact of health content
- Explore examples of successful digital public health initiatives
- Develop strategies for adapting campaigns to different audiences and platforms
Managing Misinformation and Digital Reputation (3 Hours)
- Understand risks posed by medical misinformation and false content online
- Learn strategies to detect, respond to, and correct inaccurate or harmful information
- Explore proactive measures to maintain a professional and trustworthy digital presence
- Develop guidelines for consistent, responsible online conduct during crises
- Recognise the role of healthcare professionals in promoting credible digital information
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.
