Just telling and selling : current limitations in the use of digital media in public health: A scoping review

TLDR: The available research relating to digital media use in public health is dominated by studies relating to eHealth, telehealth or social marketing; emphasising the passive reception of messages and a focus on individual behaviour change approaches.

About: This article is published in Public Health.The article was published on 2014-12-01 and is currently open access. It has received 39 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Digital media & Health promotion.

Figures

Table 4. Thematic research map (part I): details and examples (see online figure 3)

Table 1. Glossary of terms used [online appendix]

Figure 1. Major health topics targeted through digital media

Table 2. Characteristics of public health reviews (n=221) [online appendix]

Table 5. Aspects of quality and ethics in public health communication through digital media

Table 3. Details of interventions and outcomes in public health reviews (n=221) (in order of frequency) [online appendix]

Frequently asked questions

Q1. What type of studies were identified in the electronic and supplementary searches?

In the electronic and supplementary searches, 4615 publications were identified, including 438systematic reviews, based on abstract assessment. 

Q2. What could be the potential for interaction with the end users?

Broad anddeep communication penetrance could offer the possibility of reaching parts of the populationtraditionally inaccessible to print based media and the potential for interaction could buildrelationships with end users based on their assets for health. 

Q3. What are the types of media used in public health?

Media which can be used in this context include electronic media (e.g. internet,email) 1-8 and mobile 'm' technologies (e.g. mobile phones, personal digital assistants) 4;9-14 , bothwith considerable interactive potential 5;15;16 , as well as mass media 17-19 , and other visual media(photography, film / video) 20-22 . 

Q4. What were the additional categories of studies in the map?

In the map, additional categories were also added,including type and purpose of message, type of methodology, level of engagement, levels ofcommunication, and aspects of quality and ethics. 

Q5. What type of studies were included in the scoping map?

Systematicreviews focussing on prevention, health promotion and service provision (i.e. public healthinterventions) were analysed in more detail by one reviewer (CC), while information from otherstudy types was used to complement the scoping map. 

Q6. What was the purpose of the analysis?

Data analysis – charting the data and summarising the resultsDue to the amount of data identified, analysis of included studies was based on informationprovided in the publication abstracts. 

Q7. What are the stages of a scoping review?

28 The authors define five stages for carrying out a scopingreview: stage 1: identifying the research question; stage 2: identifying relevant studies; stage 3:study selection; stage 4: charting the data; stage 5: collating, summarising and reporting theresults. 

Q8. What is the purpose of this scoping review?

With such a range of widely available technologies, it is now necessary to explore effectivenessand ways in which the authors can better understand the quality of media-related products andapproaches and to address issues of ethics in relation to their use. 

Q9. What would have been the way to do this?

Had the scope of the project permitted this, it would have been desirablefor more detailed analysis to be undertaken of the literature identified and to include more stepsof data validation and triangulation, as well as supplementing the work by a consultationexercise. 

Q10. What were the gaps in the systematic review evidence?

Contributing disciplines: studies were dominated by medical and health psychologicalviewpoints, with a lack of more explicitly multidisciplinary approaches, e.g. with non-academic experts such as staff from digital media companies used in the development ofinterventions. 

Q11. What is the role of photography in health interventions?

Digital media Visual methods in health Negative effects of media Health aspects Audio (radio, podcasts, audiotapes / CDs) Static photoso print media o campaigns (public service announcements, publicrelations)o photos as part of public health interventions (e.g.imagery-based interventions)o photos as part of qualitative and participatory research Moving imageso TV (all genres, incl. docu-soaps etc.) o Cinema (fiction films, documentaries) o Campaigns (public service announcements, PRcampaigns)o Film / video as part of public health interventions /educationo Film video as part of qualitative and participatoryresearcho Techniques (acted, real life, animation / trick film) 

Q12. What are the main aspects of quality and ethics relevant to digital media use?

Aspects of quality and ethics relevant to digital media use were explored more specifically byexamining texts relevant to ethics and quality in a range of contributing disciplines, such ashealthcare, health promotion, information psychology, business (organisational management),journalism, media law, and design.