The role of facebook support groups for women with benign urologic conditions

Consensus study on UK weight management services' response to COVID-19: best practices in outpatient management, governance and digital solutions

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic put unprecedented pressure on weight management services. These services were required to adapt to continue to provide care for people living with obesity. This study sought to develop consensus recommendations on the best practice solutions adopted by weight management services in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

This study utilised a semi-structured interview and a modified Delphi methodology to develop a consensus of best practice recommendations identified by specialist weight management services during the pandemic.

RESULTS

Twenty-three healthcare professionals working in weight management service across the United Kingdom participated in the study. Analysis of interview transcripts identified four key thematic domains: outpatient, patient education and support, perioperative care and team working. Of the initial 43 unique recommendations, 30 reached consensus agreement. Outpatient recommendations focused on communication strategies, patient self-monitoring and remote patient tracking. Patient education and support recommendations addressed the development of online educational resources and support groups. Perioperative care recommendations emphasised case prioritisation, waiting list support and postoperative care. Team working recommendations targeted the use of digital collaboration tools and strategies for effective teamwork.

CONCLUSION

Developing consensus recommendations on best practice is a critical step for weight management and outpatient services to achieve higher standards of care. These recommendations provide a springboard for departmental discussions, paving the way for improved experiences for individuals living with obesity as they progress along their weight management journey.

Patient Perspectives on Kidney Stone Surgery: A Content Analysis of Instagram Posts by Patients Versus Surgeons

Background

Both clinicians and patients use social media to post about health care issues such as kidney stone disease, but their perspectives may differ.

Objective

To evaluate content and themes regarding kidney stone surgery shared by patients and urologists on Instagram.

Design setting and participants

A search was performed on Instagram using the term "kidney stone surgery". The first 100 posts from individuals who were clearly identified as a patient were assessed. We also assessed 100 posts from self-identified urologists.

Outcome measurements and statistical analysis

A previously published system was applied as a framework for categorizing the information collected. Outcomes of interested included pain, recovery, and costs.

Results and limitations

Some 71% of the patients were female and most of their posts (52%) were shared postoperatively. The most common themes covered in patient posts were the need for multiple operative sessions (45%), pain (43%), and recovery (42%). Other themes included activities of daily life (18%), return to work (11%), nervousness (16%), stent issues (31%), stent on a string (5%), diet and prevention (9%), gratitude for health care services (10%), disease recurrence (18%), and costs (10%). Some 94% of the urologists were male and their posts covered the following domains: recovery (11%), stent issues (3%), pain (1%), stent on a string (1%), gratitude for health care services (1%), and recurrence 1%. Among the posts from urologists, 79% included self-promotion and 52% covered new technology. Overall, 10% contained false information. The majority of the posts with surgical images had no clear statement regarding patient consent (97%).

Conclusions

Kidney stone surgery can affect many areas of a patient's quality of life. Most of the posts shared by patients were negative. Posts shared by urologists do not reflect the same themes. Moreover, there appears to be poor adherence to European Association of Urology recommendations regarding online professional conduct.

Patient summary

Many patients use social media to share their experiences of kidney stone surgery. Posts are largely related to quality-of-life issues and are mostly negative. While urologists also use social media, the content they post on professional accounts is mostly focused on new technology and career promotion.