Using Social Media/Mainstream Media Surrounding Transplantation Education: Perspective on CKD

Background: The use of social media (SM) today provides unparalleled opportunities to provide and receive education, access to communication and engagement. SM/ mainstream media (MM) such as television, newspapers, magazines, and radio stations are also being used to prompt education surrounding specific Long-Term Conditions (LTCs). Certainly, use of SM is not limited by constraints of time and geography. Three questions being proposed here: 1) Is there a Faith stance on using SM/ MM to prompt organ donation/ transplantation education? 2) Can those who follow Faith donate organs? and 3) Does the Healthcare Scientist have a role providing the public education surrounding organ donation/ transplantation? Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) will be used to provide a LTC example. Methods: There is a need for multi-channel approaches so that the issue is a more widely known social norm in primary care, where healthcare scientists will know underlying pathologies. If those with Faith decide to donate an organ, they must do so out of free will without being morally or socially forced and without economic pressures. If the deceased indicated during life (in a will) that they do not want to donate organs, then no one is authorized to do this on the deceased person’s behalf. Results: More educational campaigns via SM/ MM involving healthcare scientists and Faith communities are required. Bridging gaps in health literacy (HL) is also important. This is where healthcare scientists have an important role, to provide health science transparency where other health professionals are challenged. Clarity of terminology to help increase HL on topics relating to organ donation/ transplantation is now especially required owing to more time being spent online. Conclusion: 1) The Faith stance on use of social media to prompt organ donation/ education has not been investigated. 2) Those who follow Faith can donate organs, and 3) More research is required to shed light on what is the most effective approach for healthcare scientists in above context.