Research Article
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Marketing and Social Media Management in Healthcare: A Bibliometric Analysis (2015-2024)

Year 2026, Volume: 26 Issue: 1, 113 - 128

Abstract

This study presents a bibliometric analysis of peer-reviewed articles from the Web of Science (2015–2024) to examine the evolution of marketing and social media management in healthcare. Three search strategies “topic-based”, “title-focused”, and “Türkiye-specific” identify publication trends, collaboration networks, and thematic shifts. Results indicate a 16.44% annual growth in publications, driven by digital transformation and pandemic-related studies. The United States, the United Kingdom, and China lead in research output, while Türkiye, despite ranking among the top 20 contributors and increasing its academic engagement, shows limited international collaboration (6.5%). Topic-based searches emphasize “social media,” “COVID-19,” and “public health,” while refined searches highlight “marketing,” “branding,” “health communication,” and “patient satisfaction.” “Twitter,” “Facebook,” and “YouTube” play key roles in patient engagement and information dissemination. By mapping thematic shifts, this study uncovers global trends, regional collaborations, and Türkiye’s distinct contributions, underscoring the evolving role of social media and communication strategies in healthcare marketing.

References

  • Al-Hasan, A. (2024). Social media marketing and hospital brand equity: An empirical investigation. Information Development. https://doi. org/10.1177/02666669241236199.
  • Aria, M., & Cuccurullo, C. (2017). bibliometrix: An R-tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis. Journal of Informetrics, 11(4), 959–975. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.joi.2017.08.007.
  • Benetoli, A., Chen, T. F., & Aslani, P. (2018). How patients’ use of social media impacts their interactions with healthcare professionals. Patient Education and Counseling, 101(3), 439–444.
  • Chaudhri, V., Oomen, T., Pridmore, J., & Joon, A. (2021). “CARE” in social media: Perceptions of reputation in the healthcare sector. Journal of Communication Management, 25(2), 125–141.
  • Cinelli, M., Quattrociocchi, W., Galeazzi, A., Valensise, C. M., Brugnoli, E., Schmidt, A. L., ... & Scala, A. (2020). The COVID-19 social media infodemic. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 1–10.
  • Dash, M. K., Sahu, R., Panda, G., Jain, D., Singh, G., & Singh, C. (2023). Social media role in public health development: A bibliometric approach. Kybernetes, 52(11), 5460–5479.
  • Djakeli, K. (2023). Modern healthcare marketing in the digital era. IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8- 3693-0679-6
  • Farsi, D. (2021). Social media and health care, part I: Literature review of social media use by health care providers. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(4), e23205.
  • Gomes, C., & Coustasse, A. (2015). Tweeting and treating: How hospitals use Twitter to improve care. The Health Care Manager, 34(3), 203–214.
  • Gough, A., Hunter, R. F., Ajao, O., Jurek, A., McKeown, G., Hong, J., ... & Kee, F. (2017). Tweet for behavior change: Using social media for the dissemination of public health messages. JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, 3(1), e6313.
  • Gumus, R. (2022). Role of marketing mix perception and participation on repurchase intention of health consumers. Journal of Health Management, 24(4), 525–538.
  • Gupta, A., Tyagi, M., & Sharma, D. (2013). Use of social media marketing in healthcare. Journal of Health Management, 15(2), 293–302.
  • Gupta, K. A. K., Murty, M. V. S., & Venugopal, K. (2024). From likes to patients: Leveraging social media for hospital marketing success. International Journal of Innovative Research and Practices, 12(3), 06–16.
  • Ilgun, G., & Ugurluoglu, O. (2019). How Turkish private hospitals use social media: A qualitative study. Journal of Social Service Research, 45(1), 34–43.
  • İri, R. (2024). Social Media Tools: A Bibliometric Analysis Based on Web of Science Data (2000-2023). Düzce Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 14(1), 120-139.
  • Jeyaraman, M., Ramasubramanian, S., Kumar, S., Jeyaraman, N., Selvaraj, P., Nallakumarasamy, A., ... & Yadav, S. (2023). Multifaceted role of social media in healthcare: Opportunities, challenges, and the need for quality control. Cureus, 15(5).
  • Lim, W. M. (2016). Social media in medical and health care: Opportunities and challenges. Marketing Intelligence & Planning, 34(7), 964–976.
  • McGraw, D., & Mandl, K. D. (2021). Privacy protections to encourage use of health-relevant digital data in a learning health system. NPJ Digital Medicine, 4(1), 2.
  • Moorhead, S. A., Hazlett, D. E., Harrison, L., Carroll, J. K., Irwin, A., & Hoving, C. (2013). A new dimension of health care: systematic review of the uses, benefits, and limitations of social media for health communication. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 15(4), e1933.
  • Musso, M., Pinna, R., Trombin, M., & Carrus, P. P. (2020). Social media to improve health promotion and health literacy for patients’ engagement. In Digital Transformation and New Challenges: Digitalization of Society, Economics, Management and Education (pp. 103-120). Springer.
  • Nabi, M. N. U., Zohora, F. T., & Misbauddin, S. M. (2023). Social media links with social capital to trust in healthcare facilities: Empirical evidence from Bangladesh. Library Hi Tech, 41(1), 210-228.
  • Neely, S. B., Long, S., Cygan, H., & Kalensky, M. (2024). Broadcast health: Leveraging YouTube for community health education. Public Health Nursing, 41(2), 209-214.
  • Patrick, M., Venkatesh, R. D., & Stukus, D. R. (2022). Social media and its impact on health care. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 128(2), 139-145.
  • Rościszewski, P., Stępień, M., & Berniak-Woźny, J. (2024). Primary healthcare marketing: A bibliometric study and research agenda. Health Services Insights, 17, 11786329241266648.
  • Rosidayani, F., & Aini, Q. (2024). Bibliometric analysis of social media marketing in hospitals: Trends and influences. Journal of Angiotherapy, 8(5), 1-9.
  • Senyapar, H. N. (2024). Healthcare branding and reputation management strategies for organizational success. Technium Social Sciences Journal, 55, 26.
  • Shrestha, S., Ferreira, J., & Galti, A. (2019). Using social media for effective health care service delivery: Bibliometrics and sociometry. Medical University, 2(1), 21-30.
  • Sohel, M., Farzana, N., Rashid, H., & Ali, R. (2024). Impact of digital marketing on hospital marketing strategies: A comprehensive literature review. Journal of Primeasia, 5(1), 1-6.
  • Tabi, K., Randhawa, A. S., Choi, F., Mithani, Z., Albers, F., Schnieder, M., ... & Krausz, M. (2019). Mobile apps for medication management: Review and analysis. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 7(9), e13608.
  • Tang, W., Ren, J., & Zhang, Y. (2018). Enabling trusted and privacy-preserving healthcare services in social media health networks. IEEE Transactions on Multimedia, 21(3), 579-590.
  • Usuemerai, P. A., Ibikunle, O. E., Abass, L. A., Alemede, V., Nwankwo, E. I., & Mbata, A. O. (2024). A conceptual framework for integrating digital transformation in healthcare marketing to boost patient engagement and compliance. World Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical and Medical Research, 7(2), 26-50.
  • Ventola, C. L. (2014). Social media and health care professionals: Benefits, risks, and best practices. Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 39(7), 491-499.
  • Washington, J. (2023). Combating misinformation and fake news: The potential of AI and media literacy education. Available at SSRN, 4580385.

Sağlık Hizmetlerinde Pazarlama ve Sosyal Medya Yönetimi: Bibliyometrik Bir Analiz (2015-2024)

Year 2026, Volume: 26 Issue: 1, 113 - 128

Abstract

Bu çalışma, sağlık hizmetlerinde pazarlama ve sosyal medya yönetiminin gelişimini incelemek amacıyla Web of Science’ta (2015–2024) yayımlanmış hakemli makalelerin bibliyometrik analizini sunmaktadır. “Konu odaklı”, “başlık odaklı” ve “Türkiye’ye özgü” üç arama stratejisiyle yayın eğilimleri, iş birliği ağları ve tematik değişimler analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular, dijital dönüşüm ve pandeminin etkisiyle yıllık %16,44’lük yayın artışı ile akademik ilginin arttığını göstermektedir. Araştırmaya göre ABD, Birleşik Krallık ve Çin en çok katkı sağlayan ülkeler olmuştur. Türkiye ise ilk 20 ülke arasında yer almakla birlikte, sınırlı uluslararası iş birliği göstermektedir (%6,5). Konu odaklı aramalar “sosyal medya”, “COVID-19” ve “halk sağlığı” konularına, dar kapsamlı aramalar ise “pazarlama”, “markalaşma”, “sağlık iletişimi” ve “hasta memnuniyeti” temalarına odaklanmaktadır. “Twitter”, “Facebook” ve “YouTube” sağlık hizmetlerinde hasta katılımı ve bilgi yayılımında önemli roller üstlenmektedir. Bu çalışma, tematik değişimleri haritalayarak küresel eğilimleri, bölgesel iş birliklerini ve Türkiye’nin özgün katkılarını ortaya koymakta; sosyal medyanın ve iletişim stratejilerinin sağlık hizmetleri pazarlamasındaki gelişen rolünü vurgulamaktadır.

References

  • Al-Hasan, A. (2024). Social media marketing and hospital brand equity: An empirical investigation. Information Development. https://doi. org/10.1177/02666669241236199.
  • Aria, M., & Cuccurullo, C. (2017). bibliometrix: An R-tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis. Journal of Informetrics, 11(4), 959–975. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.joi.2017.08.007.
  • Benetoli, A., Chen, T. F., & Aslani, P. (2018). How patients’ use of social media impacts their interactions with healthcare professionals. Patient Education and Counseling, 101(3), 439–444.
  • Chaudhri, V., Oomen, T., Pridmore, J., & Joon, A. (2021). “CARE” in social media: Perceptions of reputation in the healthcare sector. Journal of Communication Management, 25(2), 125–141.
  • Cinelli, M., Quattrociocchi, W., Galeazzi, A., Valensise, C. M., Brugnoli, E., Schmidt, A. L., ... & Scala, A. (2020). The COVID-19 social media infodemic. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 1–10.
  • Dash, M. K., Sahu, R., Panda, G., Jain, D., Singh, G., & Singh, C. (2023). Social media role in public health development: A bibliometric approach. Kybernetes, 52(11), 5460–5479.
  • Djakeli, K. (2023). Modern healthcare marketing in the digital era. IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8- 3693-0679-6
  • Farsi, D. (2021). Social media and health care, part I: Literature review of social media use by health care providers. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(4), e23205.
  • Gomes, C., & Coustasse, A. (2015). Tweeting and treating: How hospitals use Twitter to improve care. The Health Care Manager, 34(3), 203–214.
  • Gough, A., Hunter, R. F., Ajao, O., Jurek, A., McKeown, G., Hong, J., ... & Kee, F. (2017). Tweet for behavior change: Using social media for the dissemination of public health messages. JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, 3(1), e6313.
  • Gumus, R. (2022). Role of marketing mix perception and participation on repurchase intention of health consumers. Journal of Health Management, 24(4), 525–538.
  • Gupta, A., Tyagi, M., & Sharma, D. (2013). Use of social media marketing in healthcare. Journal of Health Management, 15(2), 293–302.
  • Gupta, K. A. K., Murty, M. V. S., & Venugopal, K. (2024). From likes to patients: Leveraging social media for hospital marketing success. International Journal of Innovative Research and Practices, 12(3), 06–16.
  • Ilgun, G., & Ugurluoglu, O. (2019). How Turkish private hospitals use social media: A qualitative study. Journal of Social Service Research, 45(1), 34–43.
  • İri, R. (2024). Social Media Tools: A Bibliometric Analysis Based on Web of Science Data (2000-2023). Düzce Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 14(1), 120-139.
  • Jeyaraman, M., Ramasubramanian, S., Kumar, S., Jeyaraman, N., Selvaraj, P., Nallakumarasamy, A., ... & Yadav, S. (2023). Multifaceted role of social media in healthcare: Opportunities, challenges, and the need for quality control. Cureus, 15(5).
  • Lim, W. M. (2016). Social media in medical and health care: Opportunities and challenges. Marketing Intelligence & Planning, 34(7), 964–976.
  • McGraw, D., & Mandl, K. D. (2021). Privacy protections to encourage use of health-relevant digital data in a learning health system. NPJ Digital Medicine, 4(1), 2.
  • Moorhead, S. A., Hazlett, D. E., Harrison, L., Carroll, J. K., Irwin, A., & Hoving, C. (2013). A new dimension of health care: systematic review of the uses, benefits, and limitations of social media for health communication. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 15(4), e1933.
  • Musso, M., Pinna, R., Trombin, M., & Carrus, P. P. (2020). Social media to improve health promotion and health literacy for patients’ engagement. In Digital Transformation and New Challenges: Digitalization of Society, Economics, Management and Education (pp. 103-120). Springer.
  • Nabi, M. N. U., Zohora, F. T., & Misbauddin, S. M. (2023). Social media links with social capital to trust in healthcare facilities: Empirical evidence from Bangladesh. Library Hi Tech, 41(1), 210-228.
  • Neely, S. B., Long, S., Cygan, H., & Kalensky, M. (2024). Broadcast health: Leveraging YouTube for community health education. Public Health Nursing, 41(2), 209-214.
  • Patrick, M., Venkatesh, R. D., & Stukus, D. R. (2022). Social media and its impact on health care. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 128(2), 139-145.
  • Rościszewski, P., Stępień, M., & Berniak-Woźny, J. (2024). Primary healthcare marketing: A bibliometric study and research agenda. Health Services Insights, 17, 11786329241266648.
  • Rosidayani, F., & Aini, Q. (2024). Bibliometric analysis of social media marketing in hospitals: Trends and influences. Journal of Angiotherapy, 8(5), 1-9.
  • Senyapar, H. N. (2024). Healthcare branding and reputation management strategies for organizational success. Technium Social Sciences Journal, 55, 26.
  • Shrestha, S., Ferreira, J., & Galti, A. (2019). Using social media for effective health care service delivery: Bibliometrics and sociometry. Medical University, 2(1), 21-30.
  • Sohel, M., Farzana, N., Rashid, H., & Ali, R. (2024). Impact of digital marketing on hospital marketing strategies: A comprehensive literature review. Journal of Primeasia, 5(1), 1-6.
  • Tabi, K., Randhawa, A. S., Choi, F., Mithani, Z., Albers, F., Schnieder, M., ... & Krausz, M. (2019). Mobile apps for medication management: Review and analysis. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 7(9), e13608.
  • Tang, W., Ren, J., & Zhang, Y. (2018). Enabling trusted and privacy-preserving healthcare services in social media health networks. IEEE Transactions on Multimedia, 21(3), 579-590.
  • Usuemerai, P. A., Ibikunle, O. E., Abass, L. A., Alemede, V., Nwankwo, E. I., & Mbata, A. O. (2024). A conceptual framework for integrating digital transformation in healthcare marketing to boost patient engagement and compliance. World Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical and Medical Research, 7(2), 26-50.
  • Ventola, C. L. (2014). Social media and health care professionals: Benefits, risks, and best practices. Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 39(7), 491-499.
  • Washington, J. (2023). Combating misinformation and fake news: The potential of AI and media literacy education. Available at SSRN, 4580385.
There are 33 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Business Administration
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Faruk Yılmaz 0000-0001-7398-8302

Early Pub Date November 20, 2025
Publication Date December 2, 2025
Submission Date July 23, 2025
Acceptance Date October 3, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2026 Volume: 26 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Yılmaz, F. (2025). Marketing and Social Media Management in Healthcare: A Bibliometric Analysis (2015-2024). Ege Academic Review, 26(1), 113-128.
AMA Yılmaz F. Marketing and Social Media Management in Healthcare: A Bibliometric Analysis (2015-2024). ear. November 2025;26(1):113-128.
Chicago Yılmaz, Faruk. “Marketing and Social Media Management in Healthcare: A Bibliometric Analysis (2015-2024)”. Ege Academic Review 26, no. 1 (November 2025): 113-28.
EndNote Yılmaz F (November 1, 2025) Marketing and Social Media Management in Healthcare: A Bibliometric Analysis (2015-2024). Ege Academic Review 26 1 113–128.
IEEE F. Yılmaz, “Marketing and Social Media Management in Healthcare: A Bibliometric Analysis (2015-2024)”, ear, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 113–128, 2025.
ISNAD Yılmaz, Faruk. “Marketing and Social Media Management in Healthcare: A Bibliometric Analysis (2015-2024)”. Ege Academic Review 26/1 (November2025), 113-128.
JAMA Yılmaz F. Marketing and Social Media Management in Healthcare: A Bibliometric Analysis (2015-2024). ear. 2025;26:113–128.
MLA Yılmaz, Faruk. “Marketing and Social Media Management in Healthcare: A Bibliometric Analysis (2015-2024)”. Ege Academic Review, vol. 26, no. 1, 2025, pp. 113-28.
Vancouver Yılmaz F. Marketing and Social Media Management in Healthcare: A Bibliometric Analysis (2015-2024). ear. 2025;26(1):113-28.