Seeing health advice on social media? Start a conversation with your provider

Seeing health advice on social media? Start a conversation with your provider

Key Takeaways:

• Talk with your healthcare provider before acting on health advice found on social media or online.
• Use trusted national sources to research health topics and prepare questions.
• Alex Swaney, CNP is accepting new patients at OhioHealth Primary and Walk-In Care in Kenton.

Health advice is everywhere online. But how can people know what to trust and whether the advice applies to them?

For Alex Swaney, a certified nurse practitioner with OhioHealth Primary and Walk-In Care in Kenton, the answer starts with an open talk with a healthcare provider.

"I will always encourage people to look into their own health, look into their medications and educate themselves," Swaney said. "But they just can't blindly take that advice."

Swaney joined OhioHealth in July and provides primary and walk-in care for patients of all ages. She urges patients to take an active role in their care. That includes asking about health tips they see online or on social media.

Patients often ask her about medications, herbal supplements or symptoms they have read about.

Swaney welcomes their questions. She listens to their concerns, helps decide what steps may be needed and explains why a condition may or may not be a concern.

"I think it's so important to keep patients involved in their care plans," she said. "I will always be open and honest with them, and I always encourage them to do the same."

Online information can help people learn about their health and prepare questions for their providers. But advice may not tell the whole story or fit each person's needs. That is true even when the advice sounds convincing or comes from someone with healthcare credentials.

Swaney advises people to discuss online health claims with a medical provider before acting on them. She also suggests using trusted national health groups for reliable information. For children's health, she often recommends HealthyChildren.org, a resource from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Medical information can be hard to understand. Patients should not feel they have to sort through it alone.

Primary care providers can help connect the pieces. This is especially helpful when patients see several specialists or manage more than one health concern. Providers can coordinate care, explain information and help patients know what to do next.

Swaney wants patients to feel at ease bringing questions and concerns to their provider, even if the information came from social media.

"Don't be embarrassed about sharing," she said. "It's not my job to judge you. It's my job to help you."

Swaney has a background in urology, an area of care she remains passionate about. She also values the teamwork that makes patient care possible at the Kenton office.

"Everyone helps keep the practice running, and we are always working to provide the best care to our patients," she said.

Outside of work, she enjoys drawing, painting and woodworking. She is also an avid reader and often finishes at least one book a week.

Swaney is accepting new patients at 75 Washington Blvd. #103 in Kenton. She sees patients Monday and Wednesday through Friday.

To schedule an appointment, click hereor call (419) 767-2015.