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Laboret B, Bialaszewski R, Gaddis J, Middleton E, Kendall B, Lynch K, Stewart A, Wells J. A social media analysis of patient-perceived complications following periacetabular osteotomy (PAO): a retrospective observational study. BMC Surg 2024; 24:36. [PMID: 38267893 PMCID: PMC10809620 DOI: 10.1186/s12893-024-02318-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social media is a popular resource for patients seeking medical information and sharing experiences. Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is an accepted treatment for symptomatic acetabular dysplasia with a low published complication profile in specialty centers. Little is known regarding patient reporting of complications on social media following PAO. The purpose of this study was to describe the patient-perceived complications of PAO posted on social media and analyze how additional factors (postoperative timeframe, concomitant surgery) correlate with these complication posts. METHODS Facebook and Instagram were queried from 02/01/18-02/01/23; Twitter was searched over an extended range back to 02/01/11. Facebook posts (1054) were collected from the two most populated interest groups; "Periacetabular Osteotomy" and "PAO Australia." Instagram posts (1003) and Tweets (502) were found using the same five most popular hashtags: #PAOwarrior, #periacetabularosteotomy, #periacetabularosteotomysurgery, #PAOsurgery, and #PAOrecovery. Posts were assessed for demographic data, perspective, timing (early postoperative or late postoperative), additional surgeries, type of complication, and post engagement. RESULTS Facebook posts (1054), Instagram posts (1003), and Tweets (502) were assessed; 13.6% of posts included a complication. The majority of complications were reported > 6 months postoperatively with excessive pain being the most common complication (57.2%), including chronic pain (41.8%), acute pain (6.7%), and nerve pain (8.8%). Bony complications (6.7%), neurologic/psychiatric complications (3.8%), swelling (1.7%), infection (1.4%), other specified complications (16.2%), and unspecified complications (10.2%) were reported. Complication posts were found to be correlated with postoperative timeframe and concomitant surgery. Post engagement decreased in complication-related posts. CONCLUSIONS Few patients posted a perceived complication associated with PAO surgery. Of those who did, the majority reported unmanageable pain during the late postoperative period. Posts including a perceived complication were found to be positively correlated with postoperative timeframe and negatively correlated with concomitant surgery. This study found a higher pain complication rate, but a lower overall complication rate compared to prior studies. Considering the social media reported complications of PAO patients in addition to traditional outcome measures reveals which aspects of postoperative recovery are most important to patients themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bretton Laboret
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | | | - John Gaddis
- University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX, USA
| | - Emily Middleton
- Department of Physical Therapy - School of Health Professions, University of Texas Southwestern, 6011 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX, 75390-8876, USA
| | - Brittany Kendall
- Baylor Scott & White Outpatient Rehabilitation - Frisco, 3800 Gaylord Pkwy Ste 130, Frisco, TX, 75034, USA
| | - Katie Lynch
- Baylor Scott & White Outpatient Rehabilitation - Frisco, 3800 Gaylord Pkwy Ste 130, Frisco, TX, 75034, USA
| | - Adina Stewart
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Baylor Scott and White Hip Preservation Center, 5220 W University Dr Ste 220, McKinney, TX, 75071, USA
| | - Joel Wells
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Baylor Scott and White Hip Preservation Center, 5220 W University Dr Ste 220, McKinney, TX, 75071, USA
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Bialaszewski R, Gaddis J, Laboret B, Bergman E, Mulligan EP, LaCross J, Stewart A, Wells J. Perceived outcomes of periacetabular osteotomy. Bone Jt Open 2024; 5:53-59. [PMID: 38240364 PMCID: PMC10797643 DOI: 10.1302/2633-1462.51.bjo-2023-0093.r1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Aims Social media is a popular resource for patients seeking medical information and sharing experiences. periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is the gold-standard treatment for symptomatic acetabular dysplasia with good long-term outcomes. However, little is known regarding the perceived outcomes of PAO on social media. The aims of this study were to describe the perceived outcomes following PAO using three social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter). Methods Facebook, Instagram, and X posts were retrospectively collected from 1 February 2023. Facebook posts were collected from the two most populated interest groups: "periacetabular osteotomy" and "PAO Australia." Instagram and X posts were queried using the most popular hashtags: #PAOwarrior, #periacetabularosteotomy, #periacetabularosteotomyrecovery, #PAOsurgery, and #PAOrecovery. Posts were assessed for demographic data (sex, race, location), perspective (patient, physician, professional organization, industry), timing (preoperative vs postoperative), and perceived outcome (positive, negative, neutral). Results A total of 1,054 Facebook posts, 1,003 Instagram posts, and 502 X posts were consecutively assessed from 887 unique authors. The majority (63.3%) of these posts were from patients in the postoperative period, with a median of 84 days postoperatively (interquartile range 20 to 275). The longest follow-up timeframe postoperatively was 20 years. Regarding perceived outcomes, 52.8% expressed satisfaction, 39.7% held neutral opinions, and 7.5% were dissatisfied. Most dissatisfied patients (50.9%) reported pain (chronic or uncontrolled acute) as an attributing factor. Conclusion Most PAO-perceived surgical outcomes on social media had a positive tone. Findings also indicate that a small percentage of patients reported negative perceived outcomes. However, dissatisfaction with PAO primarily stemmed from postoperative pain. Social media posts from other sources (physicians, hospitals, professional organizations, etc.) trend towards neutrality. Healthcare providers must consider the social media narratives of patients following PAO, as they may reveal additional outcome expectations and help improve patient-centred care, create informed decision-making, and optimize treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Bialaszewski
- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine, Edinburg, Texas, USA
| | - John Gaddis
- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine, Edinburg, Texas, USA
| | - Bretton Laboret
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | | | | | | | - Adina Stewart
- Baylor Scott & White Hip Preservation Center and Comprehensive Hip Center, McKinney, Texas, USA
| | - Joel Wells
- Baylor Scott & White Hip Preservation Center and Comprehensive Hip Center, McKinney, Texas, USA
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Niazi F, Elkaim LM, Zadeh Khomami NM, Levett JJ, Weil AG, Hodaie M, Alotaibi NM. Microvascular Decompression and Trigeminal Neuralgia: Patient Sentiment Analysis Using Natural Language Processing. World Neurosurg 2023; 180:e528-e536. [PMID: 37778624 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2023.09.107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Microvascular decompression (MVD) as a treatment for trigeminal neuralgia (TGN) has high success rate but is associated with risks of complication. This study analyzes Twitter to provide insights into discussions surrounding MVD for patients with TGN. METHODS A Twitter search performed in April 2022 yielded 491 tweets from 426 accounts. Tweets and accounts were classified thematically, and descriptive statistics were used for various social media metrics. Using a natural language processing machine learning algorithm, sentiment analysis (SA) was performed to evaluate patient perspectives before and after surgery, and a multivariate regression model was used to identify predictors of higher engagement metrics (likes, retweets, quote tweets, replies). RESULTS Most accounts were patients, caregivers, and other members of the public (70%). The most encountered themes were research (47%) and personal experiences (33.4%). SA of tweets about patient experiences showed that 40.2% of tweets were positive, 31.1% were neutral and 28.7% were negative. Negative tweets decreased significantly in postoperative tweets and mostly discussed complications or failure of surgery (63%). On multivariate analysis, only inclusion of media (photo or video) in a Tweet was associated with higher engagement metrics. CONCLUSIONS This study provides a comprehensive review of Twitter use discussing MVD in TGN and is the first to assess patient satisfaction after treatment using SA. The data presented on patient perspectives on social media could help physicians establish direct lines of communication with patients, fostering a more patient-focused care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farbod Niazi
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Lior M Elkaim
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | | | - Jordan J Levett
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alexander G Weil
- Division of Neurosurgery, Sainte Justine Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mojgan Hodaie
- Department of Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Naif M Alotaibi
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Neuroscience Institute, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Elkaim LM, Levett JJ, Niazi F, Alvi MA, Shlobin NA, Linzey JR, Robertson F, Bokhari R, Alotaibi NM, Lasry O. Cervical Myelopathy and Social Media: Mixed Methods Analysis. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e42097. [PMID: 37213188 DOI: 10.2196/42097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a progressive neurologic condition caused by age-related degeneration of the cervical spine. Social media has become a crucial part of many patients' lives; however, little is known about social media use pertaining to DCM. OBJECTIVE This manuscript describes the landscape of social media use and DCM in patients, caretakers, clinicians, and researchers. METHODS A comprehensive search of the entire Twitter application programing interface database from inception to March 2022 was performed to identify all tweets about cervical myelopathy. Data on Twitter users included geographic location, number of followers, and number of tweets. The number of tweet likes, retweets, quotes, and total engagement were collected. Tweets were also categorized based on their underlying themes. Mentions pertaining to past or upcoming surgical procedures were recorded. A natural language processing algorithm was used to assign a polarity score, subjectivity score, and analysis label to each tweet for sentiment analysis. RESULTS Overall, 1859 unique tweets from 1769 accounts met the inclusion criteria. The highest frequency of tweets was seen in 2018 and 2019, and tweets decreased significantly in 2020 and 2021. Most (888/1769, 50.2%) of the tweets' authors were from the United States, United Kingdom, or Canada. Account categorization showed that 668 of 1769 (37.8%) users discussing DCM on Twitter were medical doctors or researchers, 415 of 1769 (23.5%) were patients or caregivers, and 201 of 1769 (11.4%) were news media outlets. The 1859 tweets most often discussed research (n=761, 40.9%), followed by spreading awareness or informing the public on DCM (n=559, 30.1%). Tweets describing personal patient perspectives on living with DCM were seen in 296 (15.9%) posts, with 65 (24%) of these discussing upcoming or past surgical experiences. Few tweets were related to advertising (n=31, 1.7%) or fundraising (n=7, 0.4%). A total of 930 (50%) tweets included a link, 260 (14%) included media (ie, photos or videos), and 595 (32%) included a hashtag. Overall, 847 of the 1859 tweets (45.6%) were classified as neutral, 717 (38.6%) as positive, and 295 (15.9%) as negative. CONCLUSIONS When categorized thematically, most tweets were related to research, followed by spreading awareness or informing the public on DCM. Almost 25% (65/296) of tweets describing patients' personal experiences with DCM discussed past or upcoming surgical interventions. Few posts pertained to advertising or fundraising. These data can help identify areas for improvement of public awareness online, particularly regarding education, support, and fundraising.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lior M Elkaim
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jordan J Levett
- Department of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Farbod Niazi
- Department of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mohammed A Alvi
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nathan A Shlobin
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Joseph R Linzey
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Faith Robertson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Rakan Bokhari
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Naif M Alotaibi
- National Neuroscience Institute, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Oliver Lasry
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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McCormick JR, Kerzner B, Tuthill TA, Khan ZA, Hodakowski AJ, Damodar D, Fortier LM, Dasari SP, Nho SJ, Chahla J. Patients With Femoroacetabular Impingement Obtain Information From Low-Quality Sources Online and Are Most Interested in Conservative Treatment and Expected Recovery. Arthrosc Sports Med Rehabil 2022; 5:e21-e27. [PMID: 36866316 PMCID: PMC9971908 DOI: 10.1016/j.asmr.2022.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To investigate the type of questions patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) are searching online and determine the type and quality of the online sources from the top results to each query by the "people also ask" Google algorithm. Methods Three search strings pertaining to FAI were carried out through Google. The webpage information was manually collected from the "People also ask" Google algorithm. Questions were categorized using Rothwell's classification method. Each website was assessed using Journal of the American Medical Association Benchmark Criteria for source quality. Results A total of 286 unique questions were collected with their associated webpages. The most common questions included: "How do you treat femoroacetabular impingement and labral tears without surgery?" "What is the recovery process after hip arthroscopy and are there limitations after surgery?" and "How do you diagnose hip impingement and differentiate from other causes of hip pain?" The Rothwell Classification of questions were fact (43.4%), policy (34.3%), and value (20.6%). The most common webpage categories were Medical Practice (30.4%), Academic (25.8%), and Commercial (20.6%). The most common subcategories were Indications/Management (29.7%) and Pain (13.6%). Government websites had the highest average Journal of the American Medical Association score (3.42), whereas Single Surgeon Practice websites had the lowest (1.35). Conclusions: Commonly asked questions on Google regarding FAI and labral tears pertain to the indications and management of pathology as well as pain control and restrictions in activity. The majority of information is provided by medical practice, academic, and commercial sources, which have highly variable academic transparency. Clinical Relevance By better understanding which questions patients ask online, surgeons can personalize patient education and enhance patient satisfaction and treatment outcomes after hip arthroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnathon R. McCormick
- Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A
| | - Benjamin Kerzner
- Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A
| | - Trevor A. Tuthill
- Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A
| | - Zeeshan A. Khan
- Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A
| | - Alexander J. Hodakowski
- Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A
| | - Dhanur Damodar
- Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A
| | - Luc M. Fortier
- Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A
| | - Suhas P. Dasari
- Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A
| | - Shane J. Nho
- Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A
| | - Jorge Chahla
- Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A
- Address correspondence to Jorge Chahla, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, 1611 W Harrison St., Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60612.
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Elkaim LM, Niazi F, Levett JJ, Bokhari R, Gorodetsky C, Breitbart S, Alotaibi F, Alluhaybi AA, Weil AG, Fallah A, Alotaibi NM, Ibrahim GM. Deep brain stimulation in children and youth: perspectives of patients and caregivers gleaned through Twitter. Neurosurg Focus 2022; 53:E11. [DOI: 10.3171/2022.7.focus22276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to glean patient and caregiver perspectives surrounding deep brain stimulation (DBS) in children and youth through an analysis of patterns of social media usage.
METHODS
The authors performed a comprehensive search of the Twitter Application Programming Interface (API) database for all tweets about DBS use in children and youth, with no date restriction. Data pertaining to each tweet were extracted for analysis. Results were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative methodologies. These included thematic analysis of tweets, accounts, and descriptive statistics. Sentiment analysis of extracted tweets was also performed. A multivariable regression model was used to identify predictors of higher engagement metrics (likes, retweets, and quotes).
RESULTS
A comprehensive search of the Twitter database yielded 877 tweets from 816 unique accounts meeting study inclusion criteria. Most tweets were from patients or caregivers, researchers, or news media outlets. The most common themes among analyzed tweets were research discussing novel findings (45.2%) or personal experiences of patients or caregivers (27.4%). Sentiment analysis showed that 54.5% of tweets were positive, 35.1% were neutral, and 10.4% were negative. The presence of pictures or videos increased the tweet engagement count by an average of 10.5 (95% CI 7.3–13.6). Tweets about personal patient experiences (β = 6, 95% CI 0.95–12) and tweets tagging other accounts (β = 3.2, 95% CI 0.63–5.8) were also significantly associated with higher engagement metrics.
CONCLUSIONS
The current study is the first to assess patient and caregiver perspectives surrounding pediatric DBS through a comprehensive analysis of social media usage. Given the nascent field, social media presents an opportunity to share experiences and promote patient and healthcare professional education surrounding pediatric DBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lior M. Elkaim
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, Québec
| | - Farbod Niazi
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec
| | - Jordan J. Levett
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec
| | - Rakan Bokhari
- Department of Surgery, Montréal General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec
| | - Carolina Gorodetsky
- Division of Neurology, Hospital for Sick Children, Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Ontario
| | - Sara Breitbart
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fahad Alotaibi
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Neuroscience Institute, King Fahad Medical City and College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulelah A. Alluhaybi
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Neuroscience Institute, King Fahad Medical City and College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alexander G. Weil
- Division of Neurosurgery, Sainte Justine Hospital, Montréal, Québec, Canada; and
| | - Aria Fallah
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Naif M. Alotaibi
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Neuroscience Institute, King Fahad Medical City and College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - George M. Ibrahim
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Social Media as a Tool for Patient Education in Neurosurgery: An Overview. World Neurosurg 2022; 161:127-134. [DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2022.02.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Lamano JB, Riestenberg RA, Haskell-Mendoza AP, Lee D, Sharp MT, Bloch O. Correlation between social media utilization by academic neurosurgery departments and higher online patient ratings. J Neurosurg 2021:1-13. [PMID: 34678765 DOI: 10.3171/2021.6.jns2122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Patients increasingly utilize online physician review websites (PRWs) and social media to inform healthcare-related decisions. This provides neurosurgeons with opportunities for increased patient engagement. And despite the growing use of social media among neurosurgeons, the relationship between social media utilization and online reviews remains unknown. The goal of this study was to characterize the relationship between social media utilization and PRW ratings across academic neurosurgery departments. METHODS Social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram) of academic neurosurgery departments were identified. Online reviews for individual faculty were obtained from Healthgrades, Vitals, WebMD, and Google. Reviews were aggregated to identify the total number of reviews per department, to generate a composite departmental rating, and to calculate a summed departmental score. US News & World Report (USNWR) and Doximity rankings were recorded for each department. Social media utilization by individual neurosurgeons and associated ratings were investigated within the departments with the highest social media utilization. RESULTS Seventy-eight percent of academic neurosurgery departments utilized social media. The most prevalent platform was YouTube (49.1%), followed by Twitter (46.5%), Facebook (38.6%), and Instagram (16.7%). Higher patient ratings on PRWs were associated with the utilization of YouTube (p = 0.048) or Twitter (p = 0.02). The number of social media platforms utilized demonstrated a significant, positive correlation with patient ratings (p = 0.006) and summed patient ratings (p = 0.048). Although USNWR (p = 0.02) and Doximity (p = 0.0008) rankings correlated with patient ratings, only the number of social media platforms utilized remained a significant predictor of patient ratings on multivariate analysis (p = 0.0001). Thirty-one percent of academic neurosurgeons from departments with high social media utilization were active on social media. The most prevalent social media platform among individual neurosurgeons was Twitter (27.4%), followed by Instagram (8.4%), Facebook (4.9%), and YouTube (2.2%). Higher summed patient scores were associated with individual neurosurgeon utilization of YouTube (p = 0.04), Facebook (p < 0.0001), and Instagram (p = 0.01). Increased social media utilization among neurosurgeons was correlated with a greater number of patient reviews (p = 0.006) and higher summed patient scores (p = 0.003). On multivariate analysis, only Facebook use remained a significant predictor of the number of patient reviews received (p = 0.002) and summed patient satisfaction scores (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS An increased social media presence is associated with higher ratings on PRWs. As neurosurgeons continue to expand their online presence, they should be aware of the possible impact of social media on online patient reviews.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan B Lamano
- 1Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; and
| | - Robert A Riestenberg
- 2Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California
| | - Aden P Haskell-Mendoza
- 2Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California
| | - Dennis Lee
- 2Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California
| | - Michael T Sharp
- 2Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California
| | - Orin Bloch
- 2Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California
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Hamidi N, Karmur B, Sperrazza S, Alexieva J, Salmi L, Zacharia BE, Nduom EK, Cohen-Gadol AA, Rutka JT, Mansouri A. Guidelines for optimal utilization of social media for brain tumor stakeholders. J Neurosurg 2021; 136:335-342. [PMID: 34298513 DOI: 10.3171/2020.11.jns203226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Effective use of social media (SM) by medical professionals is vital for better connections with patients and dissemination of evidence-based information. A study of SM utilization by different stakeholders in the brain tumor community may help determine guidelines for optimal use. METHODS Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube were searched by using the term "Brain Tumor." Platform-specific metrics were determined, including audience size, as a measure of popularity, and mean annual increase in audience size, as a measure of performance on SM. Accounts were categorized on the basis of apparent ownership and content, with as many as two qualitative themes assigned to each account. Correlations of content themes and posting behavior with popularity and performance metrics were assessed by using the Pearson's test. RESULTS Facebook (67 pages and 304,581 likes) was predominantly used by organizations (64% of pages). Top themes on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube were charity and fundraising (67% of pages), education and research (72% of accounts), and experience sharing and support seeking (48% of videos, 60% of views, and 82% of user engagement), respectively. On Facebook, only the presence of other concurrent platforms influenced a page's performance (rho = 0.59) and popularity (rho = 0.61) (p < 0.05). On Twitter, the number of monthly tweets (rho = 0.66) and media utilization (rho = 0.78) were significantly correlated with increased popularity and performance (both p < 0.05). Personal YouTube videos (30% of videos and 61% of views) with the theme of experience sharing and support seeking had the highest level of engagement (60% of views, 70% of comments, and 87% of likes). CONCLUSIONS Popularity and prevalence of qualitative themes differ among SM platforms. Thus, optimal audience engagement on each platform can be achieved with thematic considerations. Such considerations, along with optimal SM behavior such as media utilization and multiplatform presence, may help increase content popularity and thus increase community access to neurooncology content provided by medical professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nima Hamidi
- 1Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Glendale, Arizona
| | - Brij Karmur
- 2Section of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Julia Alexieva
- 1Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Glendale, Arizona
| | - Liz Salmi
- 6Department of General Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Brad E Zacharia
- 7Department of Neurosurgery, Penn State University, Hershey; and.,8Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | | | | | - James T Rutka
- 5Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alireza Mansouri
- 7Department of Neurosurgery, Penn State University, Hershey; and.,8Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, Pennsylvania
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10
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Chaurasia B, Umana GE, Scalia G, Barresi F, Yağmurlu K, Soldozy S, Deora H, Raudino G, Graziano F, Nicoletti GF, Cicero S, Maugeri R, Tomasi SO, Zileli M, Graffeo CS, Herrera RR, Shah A, Ha Y, Chaurasiya RK, Kim HS, Sameshima T, Borba L, Rotta JM, Chowdhury D, Chaurasia RK, Grotenhuis A, Linfante I, Sekhar LN. Largest neurosurgical social media group and its impact on communication and research. Br J Neurosurg 2021; 36:58-62. [PMID: 34236265 DOI: 10.1080/02688697.2021.1947978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of social media to communicate and disseminate knowledge has increased exponentially, especially in the field of neurosurgery. 'Neurosurgery cocktail' (NC) was developed by a group of young neurosurgeons as a means of sharing didactic materials and clinical experiences via social media. It connects 35.000 neurosurgeons worldwide on multiple platforms, primarily Facebook and Twitter. Given the rising utilization of social media in neurosurgery, the popularity of NC has also increased since its inception. In this study, the authors surveyed the social media analytics of NC for both Facebook and Twitter. Besides, we reviewed the literature on the use of social media in neurosurgery. METHODS Facebook and Twitter metrics were extracted through each respective platform's analytics tools from December 2020 (earliest available date for data analysis) through January 2021. A literature search was conducted using PubMed (MEDLINE) and Scopus databases. RESULTS On Facebook, as of January 2021, the group had a total of 25.590 members (87.6% male), most commonly (29%) between 35 and 44 years of age with over 100 countries were represented. As of January 2021, they had amassed 6457 followers on Twitter. During the last 28 d between December 2020 and January 2021, the account published 65 tweets that garnered a total of 196,900 impressions. Twelve articles were identified in our literature review on the use of social media within the neurosurgical community. CONCLUSIONS NC is one of the most widely utilized neurosurgical social media resources available. Sharing knowledge has been broadened thanks to the recent social media evolution, and NC has become a leading player in disseminating neurosurgical knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bipin Chaurasia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Clinic, Birgunj, Nepal
| | - Giuseppe Emmanuele Umana
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cannizzaro Hospital, Trauma Centre, Gamma Knife Centre, Catania, Italy
| | - Gianluca Scalia
- Neurosurgery Unit, Highly Specialized Hospital and of National Importance "Garibaldi", Catania, Italy
| | | | - Kaan Yağmurlu
- Department of Neuroscience and Neurosurgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Sauson Soldozy
- Department of Neuroscience and Neurosurgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Harsh Deora
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Bangalore, India
| | | | - Francesca Graziano
- Neurosurgery Unit, Highly Specialized Hospital and of National Importance "Garibaldi", Catania, Italy.,Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Postgraduate Residency Program in Neurological Surgery, Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Salvatore Cicero
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cannizzaro Hospital, Trauma Centre, Gamma Knife Centre, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosario Maugeri
- Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Postgraduate Residency Program in Neurological Surgery, Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone", Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Mehmet Zileli
- Neurosurgery Department, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | - Roberto R Herrera
- Neurosurgical Department, Belgrano Adventist Clinic, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Abidha Shah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Seth G.S. Medical College and K.E.M. Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | - Yoon Ha
- Department of Neurosurgery, Spine and Spinal cord Institute, Severance Hospital, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | | | - Hyeun-Sung Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Gangnam Nanoori Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Tetsuro Sameshima
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, University Hospital, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Luis Borba
- Department of Neurosurgery, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Jose Marcus Rotta
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Dhiman Chowdhury
- Department of Neurosurgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Andre Grotenhuis
- Department of Neurosurgery, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Italo Linfante
- Interventional Neuroradiology, Endovascular Neurosurgery, Baptist Hospital, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Laligam N Sekhar
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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11
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Daggubati LC, Ryan CA, Brandon C, Madden DB, Farou N, Mansouri A, Zacharia BE. #Neurosurgery: A Temporal and Content Analysis of Academic Neurosurgery on Twitter. World Neurosurg 2021; 153:e481-e487. [PMID: 34242826 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2021.06.150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social media has become ubiquitous in modern medicine. Academic neurosurgery has increased adoption to promote individual and departmental accomplishments, engage with patients, and foster collaboration. We sought to quantitatively evaluate the adoption of one of the most used social media platforms, Twitter, within academic neurosurgery. METHODS A quantitative and qualitative analysis of Twitter use across 118 academic neurosurgery departments with residency programs in the United States was performed in March 2019 and March 2021. We collated Twitter handles, Doximity residency ranking (a peer-determined ranking system), geographic location, and Twitter demographics (tweets, followers, likes, and tweet content) from before and after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Tweet content was characterized by reviewers over a predetermined 6-month period. Linear regression and parametric/nonparametric tests were used for analysis. RESULTS Departmental accounts grew 3.7 accounts per year between 2009 and 2019 (R2 = 0.96), but 43 accounts (130%) were added between 2019 (n = 33) and 2021 (n = 76). This growth, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic, changed the model from linear to exponential growth (R2 = 0.97). The highest-ranking programs based on Doximity were significantly more likely to have an account (P < 0.001) and have more followers (P < 0.0001). Tweet content analysis revealed prioritization of faculty/resident activity (mean 49.9%) throughout the quartiles. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate rapid uptake in Twitter use among U.S. academic neurosurgical departments, accelerated by COVID-19. With the impact of COVID-19, it is clear that there will be continued rapid adoption of this platform within neurosurgery, and future studies should explore the outcomes of peer collaboration, patient engagement, and dissemination of medical information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lekhaj C Daggubati
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Casey A Ryan
- The Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Cameron Brandon
- The Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Dennis B Madden
- The Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Noa Farou
- The Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alireza Mansouri
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Brad E Zacharia
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA.
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12
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Ozdemir O, Diren F, Boyali O, Civelek E, Kabatas S. Metric Evaluation of Reliability and Transparency of the Videos About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Surgery in the Online Platforms: Assessment of YouTube Videos' Content. Neurospine 2021; 18:363-368. [PMID: 34218617 PMCID: PMC8255755 DOI: 10.14245/ns.2142030.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To evaluate the quality and reliability of carpal tunnel syndrome surgery videos on YouTube.
Methods A keyword set of “carpal tunnel syndrome surgery” was searched on YouTube. The DISCERN scoring system, Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) scoring system, and Health on the Net (HON) ranking systems were used to evaluate the quality and reliability of the first 50 videos appeared in the search results. The characteristics of each video, such as the number of likes, dislikes and views, upload days, video length, and the uploader, were collected retrospectively. The relationships between the video quality and these factors were investigated statistically.
Results All of the featured videos sorted were found to be of poor content (mean DISCERN score [n = 1.71 of 5], mean JAMA score [n = 1.76 of 4], mean HON score [n = 5.65 of 16]). Yet, DISCERN scores of the videos uploaded by medical centers were higher than that of the others (p = 0.022). No relationship was detected between the other variables and video quality.
Conclusion Healthcare professionals and organizations should be more cautious when recording and uploading a video to the online platforms. As those videos could reach a wide audience, their content should provide more information about possible complications of a treatment and other treatment modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omer Ozdemir
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Health Sciences Gaziosmanpasa Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Furkan Diren
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Health Sciences Gaziosmanpasa Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Osman Boyali
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Health Sciences Gaziosmanpasa Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Erdinc Civelek
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Health Sciences Gaziosmanpasa Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Serdar Kabatas
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Health Sciences Gaziosmanpasa Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
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13
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Shlobin NA, Hoffman SC, Clark JR, Hopkins BS, Kesavabhotla K, Dahdaleh NS. Social Media in Neurosurgery: A Systematic Review. World Neurosurg 2021; 149:38-50. [PMID: 33556595 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2021.01.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Social media has been used increasingly in neurosurgery by individuals. We aimed to identify demographics and preferences of social media use, describe the scope of social media use, and characterize its utility. METHODS A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases. Titles and abstracts from articles identified in the search were read and selected for full-text review. Studies meeting prespecified inclusion criteria were reviewed in full and analyzed for relevant data. RESULTS Of 431 resultant articles, 29 were included. Patients and caregivers most commonly used Facebook and Twitter, whereas nearly 50% of neurosurgeons used LinkedIn and Doximity. Patient and caregiver users of social media tended to be <35 years old. Content of posts varied from requesting/providing information (∼40%) to seeking emotional support/forming connections (∼30%). A total of 20.6% of videos were irrelevant to clinical neurosurgery. Factual accuracy of most videos was poor to inadequate. Social media use was associated with greater academic impact for neurosurgical departments and journals. Posts with photos and videos and weekend posts generated 1.2-2 times greater engagement. CONCLUSIONS Patients and caregivers who use social media are typically younger than 35 years old and commonly use Facebook or Twitter. Neurosurgeons prefer Doximity and LinkedIn. Social media yields information regarding common symptoms and uncovers novel symptoms. Videos are poor-to-inadequate quality and often irrelevant to clinical neurosurgery. Optimizing social media use will augment the exchange of ideas regarding clinical practice and research and empower patients and caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan A Shlobin
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Steven C Hoffman
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Clark
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Benjamin S Hopkins
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Kartik Kesavabhotla
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Nader S Dahdaleh
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
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14
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Bird CE, Kozin ED, Connors S, LoBue C, Abdullah K. A Quantitative Analysis of Social Media to Determine Trends in Brain Tumor Care and Treatment. Cureus 2020; 12:e11530. [PMID: 33354474 PMCID: PMC7746327 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.11530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Approximately 80,000 primary brain tumors are diagnosed annually. Social media provides a source of information and support for patients diagnosed with brain tumors; however, use of this forum for dissemination of information about brain tumors has not been evaluated. The objective of this study was to evaluate social media utilization and content related to brain tumors with an emphasis on patients’ trends in usage. Methods Social media platforms were systematically evaluated using two search methods: systematic manual inquiry and a keyword-based social media tracker. The search terms included brain tumor, glioblastoma, glioma, and glioblastoma multiforme. Social media content (which includes Facebook pages and groups, YouTube videos, and Twitter or Instagram accounts) and posts were assessed for activity (as quantified by views of posts) and analyzed using a categorization framework. Results The manual and keyword searches identified 946 sources of social media content, with a total count of 7,184,846 points of engagement. Social media platforms had significant variations in content type. YouTube was the largest social media platform for sharing content related to brain tumors overall, with an emphasis on surgical videos and documented patient experiences. Facebook accounted for the majority of patient-to-patient support, and Twitter was the most common platform for scientific dissemination. Overall social media content was mostly focused on treatment overviews and patient experience. When evaluated by search term, most social media posts by the “brain tumor” community shared illness narratives, and searches specific to “glioma” and “glioblastoma” demonstrated a higher proportion of educational and treatment posts. Conclusions This study presents novel observations of the characteristics of social media utilization for the online brain tumor community. A robust patient community exists online, with an emphasis on sharing personal narratives, treatment information, patient-to-patient support, treatment options, and fundraising events. This study provides a window to the role of social media utilization by patients, their families, and health professionals. These findings demonstrate the different roles of Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter in the rapidly changing era of social media and its relationship with neurosurgery and neuro-oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cylaina E Bird
- Neurological Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA
| | | | - Scott Connors
- Neurological Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA
| | - Christian LoBue
- Neurological Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA
| | - Kalil Abdullah
- Neurological Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA
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15
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Melson E, Davitadze M, Aftab M, Ng CY, Ooi E, Blaggan P, Chen W, Hanania T, Thomas L, Zhou D, Chandan JS, Senthil L, Arlt W, Sankar S, Ayuk J, Karamat MA, Kempegowda P. Simulation via instant messaging-Birmingham advance (SIMBA) model helped improve clinicians' confidence to manage cases in diabetes and endocrinology. BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION 2020; 20:274. [PMID: 32811488 PMCID: PMC7437058 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-020-02190-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Simulation-based learning (SBL) has been increasingly used in both undergraduate and postgraduate medical training curricula. The aim of Simulation via Instant Messaging-Birmingham Advance (SIMBA) is to create a simple virtual learning environment to improve trainees' self-reported confidence in diabetes and Endocrinology. METHODS This study was done as part of the continuous professional development for Health Education England West Midlands speciality trainees in diabetes and Endocrinology. Standardized transcripts of anonymized real-life endocrinology (endocrine session) and diabetes cases (diabetes session) were used in the simulation model. Trainees interacted with moderators through WhatsApp® in this model. All cases were then discussed in detail by a consultant endocrinologist with reference to local, national and international guidelines. Trainee acceptance rate and improvement in their self-reported confidence levels post-simulation were assessed. RESULTS 70.8% (n = 17/24) and 75% (n = 18/24) strongly agreed the simulation session accommodated their personal learning style and the session was engaging. 66.7% (n = 16/24) strongly felt that the simulation was worth their time. In the endocrine session, there was a significant improvement in trainees' confidence in the management of craniopharyngioma (p = 0.0179) and acromegaly (p = 0.0025). There was a trend towards improved confidence levels to manage Cushing's disease and macroprolactinoma. In diabetes session, there was a significant improvement in trainees' confidence to interpret continuous glucose monitor readings (p = 0.01). There was a trend towards improvement for managing monogenic diabetes, hypoglycaemic unawareness and interpreting Libre readings. Overall, there was a significant improvement in trainees' confidence in managing cases that were discussed post-simulation. CONCLUSION SIMBA is an effective learning model to improve trainees' confidence to manage various diabetes and endocrine case scenarios. More sessions with a variety of other speciality case scenarios are needed to further assess SIMBA's effectiveness and application in other areas of medical training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eka Melson
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Meri Davitadze
- Clinic "Cardio", Tbilisi, Georgia
- Georgian-American Family Medicine Clinic "Medical House", Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Manal Aftab
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Cai Ying Ng
- RCSI & UCD Malaysia Campus, George Town, Malaysia
| | - Emma Ooi
- RCSI & UCD Malaysia Campus, George Town, Malaysia
| | | | - Wentin Chen
- University of Birmingham Medical School, Birmingham, UK
| | - Thia Hanania
- University of Birmingham Medical School, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Dengyi Zhou
- University of Birmingham Medical School, Birmingham, UK
| | - Joht Singh Chandan
- Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Latha Senthil
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Wiebke Arlt
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Sailesh Sankar
- Diabetes and Endocrinology Specialist Training Committee, Health Education West Midlands, Birmingham, UK
| | - John Ayuk
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Muhammad Ali Karamat
- Diabetes and Endocrinology Specialist Training Committee, Health Education West Midlands, Birmingham, UK
| | - Punith Kempegowda
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK.
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Yakar F, Jacobs R, Agarwal N. The current usage of Instagram in neurosurgery. INTERDISCIPLINARY NEUROSURGERY 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.inat.2019.100553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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17
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Kedzior SG, Bianco-Miotto T, Breen J, Diener KR, Donnelley M, Dunning KR, Penno MA, Schjenken JE, Sharkey DJ, Hodyl NA, Fullston T, Gardiner M, Brown HM, Rumbold AR. It takes a community to conceive: an analysis of the scope, nature and accuracy of online sources of health information for couples trying to conceive. REPRODUCTIVE BIOMEDICINE & SOCIETY ONLINE 2019; 9:48-63. [PMID: 32021914 PMCID: PMC6994282 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbms.2019.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
This study examined the nature and accuracy of information available across online platforms for couples trying to conceive. A consumer simulation-based investigation of English websites and social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) was undertaken using common search terms identified in a pilot study. Claims about fertility and pregnancy health were then extracted from the results and analysed thematically. The accuracy of each claim was assessed independently by six fertility and conception experts, rated on a scale of 1 (not factual) to 4 (highly factual), with scores collated to produce a median rating. Claims with a median score < 3 were classified as inaccurate. The use of the terms 'trying to conceive' and '#TTC' were common identifiers on online platforms. Claims were extracted predominantly from websites (n = 89) rather than social media, with Twitter and Instagram comprising commercial elements and Facebook focused on community-based support. Thematic analysis revealed three major themes among the claims across all platforms: conception behaviour and monitoring, lifestyle and exposures, and medical. Fact-checking by the experts revealed that 40% of the information assessed was inaccurate, and that inaccuracies were more likely to be present in the conception behaviour and monitoring advice, the topics most amenable to modification. Since online information is a readily accessible and commonly utilized resource, there is opportunity for improved dissemination of evidence-based material to reach interested couples. Further cross-disciplinary and consumer-based research, such as a user survey, is required to understand how best to provide the 'trying to conceive' community with accurate information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie G.E. Kedzior
- Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - Tina Bianco-Miotto
- Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Australia
- School of Agriculture, Food and Wine & Waite Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - James Breen
- Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Australia
- University of Adelaide, Bioinformatics Hub, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Kerrilyn R. Diener
- Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Australia
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Science and UniSA Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Australia
| | - Martin Donnelley
- Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Australia
- Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Kylie R. Dunning
- Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Australia
- ARC Centre for Nanoscale Biophotonics, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Megan A.S. Penno
- Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - John E. Schjenken
- Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - David J. Sharkey
- Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - Nicolette A. Hodyl
- Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - Tod Fullston
- Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - Maria Gardiner
- School of Psychology, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Hannah M. Brown
- ARC Centre for Nanoscale Biophotonics, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Alice R. Rumbold
- Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Australia
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia
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18
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The role of social media in selective dorsal rhizotomy for children: information sharing and social support. Childs Nerv Syst 2019; 35:2179-2185. [PMID: 31079181 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-019-04197-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) is a surgical treatment for spasticity, primarily in cerebral palsy (CP). There is a growing trend for patients to seek medical information from their peers on social media platforms. This study qualitatively and quantitatively assessed the use of social media as an information-sharing and support-seeking tool by patients and caregivers. METHODS A search was performed on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Public information was quantitatively assessed by category, users, year of creation, and country of origin. Representative samples of comments and posts were then qualitatively assessed by thematic analysis. RESULTS One hundred eighty-five Facebook groups and pages, 97 YouTube videos, and 14 Twitter accounts were identified, based in 13 countries. SDR and CP groups had a mean membership of 3063 and 2339, respectively; SDR and CP pages had a mean number of "likes" of 1650 and 10,711, respectively. Total YouTube video views were 593,135 (mean 6115). Total Twitter followers were 62,609 (mean 2160). Qualitative analysis identified seven categories of comments: emotional support and forming connections (22.34%), sharing information and advice (15.96%), appreciation and successes (31.91%), challenges and difficulties (8.51%), advertising/offering services (4.79%), inequities and access (4.79%), and social media as a second opinion (11.7%). CONCLUSIONS This study outlines the use of social media platforms in the distribution of information regarding SDR. We highlight the importance placed by patients and caregivers on the advice of their peers. The current report should inform healthcare providers' interactions with patients with respect to information seeking and provision of support.
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Motiwala M, Ajmera S, Akinduro O, Wallace D, Norrdahl SP, Schultz A, Fraser B, Saad H, Justo M, Dave P, Nguyen V, Vaughn B, Michael LM, Klimo P. How Does the Media Portray Neurosurgeons? World Neurosurg 2019; 122:e598-e605. [PMID: 31108076 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2018.10.110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is not unusual to find neurosurgeons in the news and entertainment. The present study examined the portrayal of neurosurgeons by major print and online media sources. METHODS Two search strategies identified articles from October 1, 2012 to October 1, 2017 containing the keyword "neurosurgeon." The top 25 newspapers in the United States, determined by their circulation, were searched using the LexisNexis Academic or NewsBank databases; a layman's Google News search was used to collect online stories. Each identified article was evaluated to confirm the relevance and then examined for content. Relevant characteristics for each article and neurosurgeon were determined and analyzed. RESULTS Our searches returned 1005 articles comprising 561 unique stories about 203 different neurosurgeons. One particular neurosurgeon had 459 reports (45.7%). More articles were reported in 2015 (405; 40.3%) than any other single year. Most articles featured male neurosurgeons (879; 87.1%) and neurosurgeons who had been practicing for >20 years (636; 63.0%), with just 10 institutions accounting for the training of most of them (733; 72.6%). The articles were classified as positive (270; 26.9%), negative (356; 35.4%), or neutral (379; 37.7%) in terms of their reflection on the field of neurosurgery. The odds of a negative story were greater for male neurosurgeons, within 10 years of residency completion, and in a nonacademic position. CONCLUSIONS Neurosurgeons are naturally subject to media coverage, and we must be cognizant that this predilection can serve as both an occupational advantage and an occupational hazard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Motiwala
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Sonia Ajmera
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Olutomi Akinduro
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - David Wallace
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | | | - Andrew Schultz
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Brittany Fraser
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Hassan Saad
- Arkansas Neuroscience Institute, CHI St. Vincent Infirmary, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Melissa Justo
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | | | - Vincent Nguyen
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Brandy Vaughn
- Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - L Madison Michael
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Semmes Murphey, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Paul Klimo
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Semmes Murphey, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
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Deshpande SB, Deshpande AK, O’Brien CA, McMonagle KL. A study of the portrayal of information related to (central) auditory processing disorder on social media. HEARING BALANCE AND COMMUNICATION 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/21695717.2019.1591004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shruti Balvalli Deshpande
- St. John’s University, Queens, NY, USA
- Long Island Doctor of Audiology Consortium (Adelphi, Hofstra and St. John’s Universities), Garden City, NY, USA
| | - Aniruddha K. Deshpande
- Long Island Doctor of Audiology Consortium (Adelphi, Hofstra and St. John’s Universities), Garden City, NY, USA
- Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY, USA
| | - Colleen A. O’Brien
- St. John’s University, Queens, NY, USA
- Long Island Doctor of Audiology Consortium (Adelphi, Hofstra and St. John’s Universities), Garden City, NY, USA
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Udawatta M, Ng E, Westley Phillips H, Chen JS, Wilson B, Prashant GN, Nagasawa DT, Yang I. Age-related differences in social media use in the neurosurgical community: A multi-institutional study. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2019; 180:97-100. [PMID: 30953974 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2019.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Social media is evolving and growing at an exponential rate today. From a healthcare perspective, these platforms can be used to enhance professional networking, education, organizational promotion, patient care, patient education, and public health programs without the limitations of geographic and time-related access barriers. Given the possible importance of social media in medicine, and the conflicting reports in literature about its use in healthcare, it is important to identify its utility within the neurosurgical community. We set out to measure the use of social media platforms among neurosurgery faculty, fellows, and residents. PATIENTS AND METHODS An online survey using the SurveyMonkey platform was sent to the program directors of 102 accredited neurosurgery programs across the United States. Program directors then distributed these surveys to the residents, fellows, and attendings at their respective institutions once each month between October 2017 and December 2017. Neurosurgeons participated anonymously, voluntarily, and received no compensation for their participation. Statistical analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 25 (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY). RESULTS 137 attendings, 96 residents, and 8 fellows responded to the survey (81% male). Most (70%) stated that they used social media for professional purposes. Sixty percent of all respondents believed that social media can be beneficial in terms of professional development. Younger neurosurgeons in training were more likely to read journal articles found via social media and were more likely to believe social media could be beneficial than older neurosurgeons at later stages in their career. CONCLUSIONS Results point toward differences in social media use based on age or level of training. Further studies should include a larger sample cohort over a longer time period to determine whether these trends will change over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Methma Udawatta
- Departments of Neurosurgery, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States; Departments of David Geffen School of Medicine of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Edwin Ng
- Departments of Neurosurgery, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - H Westley Phillips
- Departments of Neurosurgery, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Jia-Shu Chen
- Departments of Neurosurgery, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Bayard Wilson
- Departments of Neurosurgery, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | | | - Daniel T Nagasawa
- Departments of Neurosurgery, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Isaac Yang
- Departments of Neurosurgery, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States; Departments of Radiation Oncology, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States; Departments of Head and Neck Surgery, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States; Departments of Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States; Departments of Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States; Departments of Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States; Departments of David Geffen School of Medicine of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States.
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Deshpande AK, Deshpande SB, O’Brien CA. Hyperacusis and social media trends. HEARING BALANCE AND COMMUNICATION 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/21695717.2018.1539321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aniruddha K. Deshpande
- The Hear-Ring Lab, Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY, USA
- Long Island Doctor of Audiology (AuD) Consortium, NY, USA
| | - Shruti Balvalli Deshpande
- Long Island Doctor of Audiology (AuD) Consortium, NY, USA
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, St. John’s University, Queens, NY, USA
| | - Colleen A. O’Brien
- Long Island Doctor of Audiology (AuD) Consortium, NY, USA
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, St. John’s University, Queens, NY, USA
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"Before Facebook and before social media…we did not know anybody else that had this": parent perspectives on internet and social media use during the pediatric clinical genetic testing process. J Community Genet 2018; 10:375-383. [PMID: 30569339 DOI: 10.1007/s12687-018-0400-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Parents of children who undergo clinical genetic testing have significant informational and emotional support needs at different stages of the testing process. We analyzed parent views about use of both the internet and social media to help meet these needs. We interviewed 20 parents of children who underwent clinical genetic testing and analyzed transcripts to identify themes related to internet and social media use. Parents described using the internet to search for information at three stages of the genetic testing process: before testing, pending results return, and after results return. Each stage corresponded to different information vacuums and needs. Parents also described using condition-specific Facebook groups to learn more about their child's condition and to find support networks of families with similar experiences in ways that were challenging using non-social media approaches. Both the internet and social media play important roles in meeting informational and support needs in pediatric genetic testing, especially for rare conditions. Providers should consider engaging parents at different stages of the testing process about their use of the internet and social media, and consider directing them to vetted sites and groups as part of shared decision making and to improve satisfaction and outcomes.
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Deshpande AK, Deshpande SB, O'Brien C. A Study of Social Media Utilization by Individuals With Tinnitus. Am J Audiol 2018; 27:559-569. [PMID: 30458469 DOI: 10.1044/2018_aja-18-0033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE As more people experience tinnitus, social awareness of tinnitus has consequently increased, due in part to the Internet. Social media platforms are being used increasingly by patients to seek health-related information for various conditions including tinnitus. These online platforms may be used to seek guidance from and share experiences with individuals suffering from a similar disorder. Some social media platforms can also be used to communicate with health care providers. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of tinnitus-related information on social media platforms. METHOD The present investigation analyzed the portrayal of tinnitus-related information across 3 social media platforms: Facebook (pages and groups), Twitter, and YouTube. We performed a comprehensive analysis of the platforms using the key words "tinnitus" and "ringing in the ears." The results on each platform were manually examined by 2 reviewers based on social media activity metrics, such as "likes," "followers," and "comments." RESULTS The different social media platforms yielded diverse results, allowing individuals to learn about tinnitus, seek support, advocate for tinnitus awareness, and connect with medical professionals. The greatest activity was seen on Facebook pages, followed by YouTube videos. Various degrees of misinformation were found across all social media platforms. CONCLUSIONS The present investigation reveals copious amounts of tinnitus-related information on different social media platforms, which the community with tinnitus may use to learn about and cope with the condition. Audiologists must be aware that tinnitus sufferers often turn to social media for additional help and should understand the current climate of how tinnitus is portrayed. Clinicians should be equipped to steer individuals with tinnitus toward valid information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aniruddha K. Deshpande
- The Hear-Ring Lab, Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
- Long Island Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) Consortium, NY
| | - Shruti Balvalli Deshpande
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, St. John's University, Queens, NY
- Long Island Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) Consortium, NY
| | - Colleen O'Brien
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, St. John's University, Queens, NY
- Long Island Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) Consortium, NY
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ReFaey K, Tripathi S, Yoon JW, Justice J, Kerezoudis P, Parney IF, Bendok BR, Chaichana KL, Quiñones-Hinojosa A. The reliability of YouTube videos in patients education for Glioblastoma Treatment. J Clin Neurosci 2018; 55:1-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2018.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Linzey JR, Graffeo CS, Wang JZ, Haider AS, Alotaibi NM. Neurosurgery and the rise of academic social media: what neurosurgeons should know. J Neurosurg 2018; 129:1-5. [PMID: 29979122 DOI: 10.3171/2018.2.jns172817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Justin Z Wang
- 3Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and
| | - Ali S Haider
- 4Texas A&M University Health Science Center College of Medicine, College Station, Texas
| | - Naif M Alotaibi
- 3Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and
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Abstract
Social media use has increased both in the general public and in the surgical profession. A variety of social media platforms have been used, with Twitter being one of the most common and interactive platforms. Common uses by surgeons and scientists for social media include dissemination of information, information exchange, education, research recruitment, community consultation for clinical trials, and hospital or surgeon ratings. As social media use increases, a new language as well as metrics has been developed to track impact and reach of research incorporating social media platforms. All surgeons should be encouraged to familiarize themselves with social media, regardless of whether or not they choose to actively engage in it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalya M Ferguson
- Department of Surgery, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Lillian S Kao
- Department of Surgery, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
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Samuel N, Alotaibi NM, Lozano AM. YouTube as a Source of Information on Neurosurgery. World Neurosurg 2017; 105:394-398. [DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2017.05.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Revised: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Elkarim GA, Alotaibi NM, Samuel N, Wang S, Ibrahim GM, Fallah A, Weil AG, Kulkarni AV. Social media networking in pediatric hydrocephalus: a point-prevalence analysis of utilization. J Neurosurg Pediatr 2017; 20:119-124. [PMID: 28548615 DOI: 10.3171/2017.3.peds16552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A recent survey has shown that caregivers of children with shunt-treated hydrocephalus frequently use social media networks for support and information gathering. The objective of this study is to describe and assess social media utilization among users interested in hydrocephalus. METHODS Publicly accessible accounts and videos dedicated to the topic of hydrocephalus were comprehensively searched across 3 social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube) throughout March 2016. Summary statistics were calculated on standard metrics of social media popularity. A categorization framework to describe the purpose of pages, groups, accounts, channels, and videos was developed following the screening of 100 titles. Categorized data were analyzed using nonparametric tests for statistical significance. RESULTS The authors' search identified 30 Facebook pages, 213 Facebook groups, 17 Twitter accounts, and 253 YouTube videos. These platforms were run by patients, caregivers, nonprofit foundations, and patient support groups. Most accounts were from the United States (n = 196), followed by the United Kingdom (n = 31), Canada (n = 17), India (n = 15), and Germany (n = 12). The earliest accounts were created in 2007, and a peak of 65 new accounts were created in 2011. The total number of users in Facebook pages exceeded those in Facebook groups (p < 0.001). The majority of users in Facebook groups were in private groups, in contrast to public groups (p < 0.001). The YouTube videos with the highest median number of views were for surgical products and treatment procedures. CONCLUSIONS This study presents novel observations into the characteristics of social media use in the topic of hydrocephalus. Users interested in hydrocephalus seek privacy for support communications and are attracted to treatment procedure and surgical products videos. These findings provide insight into potential avenues of hydrocephalus outreach, support, or advocacy in social media.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Naif M Alotaibi
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery.,MD/PhD Program, University of Toronto
| | | | - Shelly Wang
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery
| | | | - Aria Fallah
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Alexander G Weil
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Sainte Justine Hospital, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Abhaya V Kulkarni
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery.,Division of Neurosurgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario
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Internet search volumes in brain aneurysms and subarachnoid hemorrhage: Is there evidence of seasonality? Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2017; 158:1-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2017.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Revised: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Meng Y, Elkaim L, Wang J, Liu J, Alotaibi NM, Ibrahim GM, Fallah A, Weil AG, Valiante TA, Lozano AM, Rutka JT. Social media in epilepsy: A quantitative and qualitative analysis. Epilepsy Behav 2017; 71:79-84. [PMID: 28554148 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2017.04.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Revised: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 04/22/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While the social burden of epilepsy has been extensively studied, an evaluation of social media related to epilepsy may provide novel insight into disease perception, patient needs and access to treatments. The objective of this study is to assess patterns in social media and online communication usage related to epilepsy and its associated topics. METHODS We searched two major social media platforms (Facebook and Twitter) for public accounts dedicated to epilepsy. Results were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The former involved thematic and word count analysis for online posts and tweets on these platforms, while the latter employed descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests. RESULTS Facebook had a higher number of pages (840 accounts) and users (3 million) compared to Twitter (137 accounts and 274,663 users). Foundation and support groups comprised most of the accounts and users on both Facebook and Twitter. The number of accounts increased by 100% from 2012 to 2016. Among the 403 posts and tweets analyzed, "providing information" on medications or correcting common misconceptions in epilepsy was the most common theme (48%). Surgical interventions for epilepsy were only mentioned in 1% of all posts and tweets. CONCLUSIONS The current study provides a comprehensive reference on the usage of social media in epilepsy. The number of online users interested in epilepsy is likely the highest among all neurological conditions. Surgery, as a method of treating refractory epilepsy, however, could be underrepresented on social media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Meng
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lior Elkaim
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Sainte Justine Hospital, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Justin Wang
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jessica Liu
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Naif M Alotaibi
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - George M Ibrahim
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aria Fallah
- Department of Neurosurgery and Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alexander G Weil
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Sainte Justine Hospital, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Taufik A Valiante
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Krembil Research Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andres M Lozano
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Krembil Research Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - James T Rutka
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Neurosurgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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