YouTube and food allergy: An appraisal of the educational quality of information

#Fail: the quality and accuracy of nutrition-related information by influential Australian Instagram accounts

BACKGROUND

Social media is a popular source of information about food and nutrition. There is a high degree of inaccurate and poor-quality nutrition-related information present online. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality and accuracy of nutrition-related information posted by popular Australian Instagram accounts and examine trends in quality and accuracy based on author, topic, post engagement, account verification and number of followers.

METHODS

A sample of posts by Australian Instagram accounts with ≥ 100,000 followers who primarily posted about nutrition was collected between September 2020 and September 2021. Posts containing nutrition-related information were evaluated to determine the quality and accuracy of the information. Quality was assessed using the Principles for Health-Related Information on Social Media tool and accuracy was assessed against information contained in the Australian Dietary Guidelines, Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition database, Nutrient Reference Values and Metafact.

RESULTS

A total of 676 posts were evaluated for quality and 510 posts for accuracy, originating from 47 Instagram accounts. Overall, 34.8% of posts were classified as being of poor quality, 59.2% mediocre, 6.1% good and no posts were of excellent quality. A total of 44.7% of posts contained inaccuracies. Posts authored by nutritionists or dietitians were associated with higher quality scores (β, 17.8, CI 13.94-21.65; P < 0.001) and higher accuracy scores (OR 4.69, CI 1.81-12.14, P = 0.001) compared to brands and other accounts. Information about supplements was of lower accuracy (OR 0.23, CI 0.10-0.51, P < 0.001) compared to information about weight loss and other nutrition topics. Engagement tended to be higher for posts of lower quality (β -0.59, P = 0.012), as did engagement rate (β -0.57, P = 0.016). There was no relationship between followers or account verification and information quality or accuracy and no relationship between engagement and accuracy.

CONCLUSIONS

Nutrition-related information published by influential Australian Instagram accounts is often inaccurate and of suboptimal quality. Information about supplements and posts by brand accounts is of the lowest quality and accuracy and information posted by nutritionists and dietitians is of a higher standard. Instagram users are at risk of being misinformed when engaging with Australian Instagram content for information about nutrition.

The quality and reliability of short videos about thyroid nodules on BiliBili and TikTok: Cross-sectional study

Background

The detection rate of thyroid nodules has witnessed a significant surge in recent years, triggering heightened public apprehension. Short video platforms such as TikTok and BiliBili have showed tremendous potential in the dissemination of health information. There is a plethora of videos about thyroid nodules on TikTok and BiliBili, but the quality and reliability of videos concerning thyroid nodules remains unknown.

Methods

On December 3rd, 2023, the top 100 short videos related to thyroid nodules on BiliBili and TikTok were collected through a comprehensive search in Chinese. After extracting the basic information, the quality and reliability of each video was assessed by using the global quality score (GQS) and DISCERN score. Further, Spearman correlation analyses were applied to examine the correlation among video variables, GQS and DISCERN score.

Results

Compared to BiliBili, TikTok exhibits greater popularity, as evidenced by higher counts of likes (P = 0.021), comments (P = 0.008) and shares (P = 0.017). The median (interquartile range) scores of GQS and DISCERN score were 3 (2-3) on TikTok while 2 (2-3) on BiliBili. Both reviewers exhibited good consistency in GQS and DISCERN score. Moreover, it was observed that the videos shared by thyroid specialists demonstrated higher scores both in GQS (P = 0.014) and DISCERN score (P = 0.022) than others on TikTok. Spearman correlation analysis revealed no significant correlation between video variables and the scores of GQS and DISCERN score.

Conclusions

The quality and reliability of thyroid nodules videos on BiliBili and TikTok were unsatisfactory. Notably, videos shared by thyroid specialists are more likely to exhibit superior quality and reliability. People should exercise caution when perusing short videos.

Reliability and Accuracy of YouTube Peri-Implantitis Videos as an Educational Source for Patients in Population-Based Prevention Strategies

Considering the need to improve patient knowledge, awareness, and compliance for peri-implantitis prevention, and patients' demand for better, quick, and convenient access to medical information, the present study primarily assessed the reliability and accuracy of YouTube videos on peri-implantitis and secondarily evaluated their educational value for the patients, and the related suitability, as part of population-based preventive strategies, to deliver valid information, potentially capable of improving patient knowledge and educational skills. This study's protocol was developed in advance, and computer history and cookies were cleared to avoid limitations based on preferred user histories. The search term "peri-implantitis" was defined using the Google Trends website, and videos were searched on YouTube on 5 December 2022. Video inclusion and data collection were conducted by independent pre-calibrated investigators. Descriptive statistics were performed on the videos' characteristics, source, category, target audience, popularity, source reliability, video information and quality (VIQI), content, and educational value. Pearson's correlation between educational value and all parameters was calculated. Videos with very low/low and medium/good/excellent educational value were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. A total of 44 videos with medium values for popularity, VIQI, content, and educational value were analyzed. Most videos covered peri-implantitis treatment rather than etiology and prevention, about half were uploaded by dentists/specialists, and only 10% specifically targeted patients. Only 2% of YouTube videos about peri-implantitis had excellent educational value, and 5% had good educational value. Video educational value was correlated with VIQI and content beyond video length and source reliability. When comparing the very low/low and medium/good/excellent educational value YouTube videos on peri-implantitis, a significant difference was found in the Video Information and Quality Index, VIQI, and video content.

Quality and accuracy of online nutrition-related information: a systematic review of content analysis studies

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review aimed to summarise the level of quality and accuracy of nutrition-related information on websites and social media and determine if quality and accuracy varied between websites and social media or publishers of information.

DESIGN

This systematic review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021224277). CINAHL, MEDLINE, Embase, Global Health and Academic Search Complete were systematically searched on 15 January 2021 to identify content analysis studies, published in English after 1989, that evaluated the quality and/or accuracy of nutrition-related information published on websites or social media. A coding framework was used to classify studies' findings about information quality and/or accuracy as poor, good, moderate or varied. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Quality Criteria Checklist was used to assess the risk of bias.

SETTING

N/A.

PARTICIPANTS

N/A.

RESULTS

From 10 482 articles retrieved, sixty-four were included. Most studies evaluated information from websites (n 53, 82·8 %). Similar numbers of studies assessed quality (n 41, 64·1 %) and accuracy (n 47, 73·4 %). Almost half of the studies reported that quality (n 20, 48·8 %) or accuracy (n 23, 48·9 %) was low. Quality and accuracy of information were similar on social media and websites, however, varied between information publishers. High risk of bias in sample selection and quality or accuracy evaluations was a common limitation.

CONCLUSION

Online nutrition-related information is often inaccurate and of low quality. Consumers seeking information online are at risk of being misinformed. More action is needed to improve the public's eHealth and media literacy and the reliability of online nutrition-related information.

An online, peer-mentored food allergy education program improves children's and parents' confidence

BACKGROUND

Children with food allergy, and their families experience substantial burdens because of efforts necessary to minimize the risk of anaphylaxis. To this end, peer-to-peer education is paramount. Food Allergy Canada offers an online, peer-to-peer mentoring program. However, the impact of this program has not previously been formally evaluated.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if Allergy Pals, an online, peer-to-peer mentoring program, for children aged 7-11 years, increased child and parental food allergy competency, and confidence. Our secondary aim was to qualitatively describe the experiences of the program.

METHODS

From May 2020-May 2021, children and their parents were invited to participate in an online, anonymous survey about Allergy Pals, at pre-program, and post-program. Primary outcomes, which were described and compared using chi2 or t-tests, as appropriate for the respective variables, included food allergy competence (epinephrine carriage, signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis) and food allergy confidence (e.g. comfort asking other for food allergy-related support). Secondary outcomes included child and parent perceptions of the program, which were analysed thematically.

RESULTS

Overall, 17 children completed the pre-program, and 11 completed the post-program survey. Corresponding numbers for parents were 25 and 23. Food allergy competence was high pre-program, and remained so post-program. Food allergy confidence improved from pre-program to post-program. E.g. Children tended to feel less left out (5/12, 41.7%; 3/10; 30.0%, respectively), a finding that was reflected also in parents' scores. Themes identified for child and parent perceptions further supported improved food allergy confidence.

CONCLUSION

Although food allergy competence was high pre-program, Allergy Pals improved food allergy confidence.

HPV-Related Oral Lesions: YouTube Videos Suitability for Preventive Interventions including Mass-Reach Health Communication and Promotion of HPV Vaccination

Given the need to improve patient knowledge about HPV-related oral lesions, awareness of HPV infection prevention measures, and compliance with vaccination, as well as patient demand for free and easy access to well-tailored and time-saving health information, the present cross-sectional study examined the accuracy of relevant YouTube videos and their suitability for mass-reach health communication and HPV vaccination promotion. A video search was performed, using keywords obtained from the Google Trends website, until 9 January 2023. Video selection and data collection were performed by independent, pre-calibrated examiners. Descriptive statistics were performed on videos' general characteristics, source reliability, popularity, information and quality, content topics, vaccination-encouraging/discouraging messages, and educational value. Pearson's correlation was calculated between educational value and all parameters. Mann-Whitney U test compared very low/low vs. medium/good/excellent educational value and HPV vaccination-encouraging vs. -discouraging videos. Most of the 97 YouTube videos analyzed were moderately accurate and reliable, 53% had moderate/good/excellent educational value, and 80% encouraged HPV vaccination, making them suitable for mass-reach communication. The limited role of oral healthcare providers in uploading relevant content, with the poor dissemination of information about HPV-related benign and malignant oral lesions, may be expanded by purposefully using YouTube and other mass media to improve patient knowledge of HPV-related oral lesions and promote HPV vaccination, which also underscores its potential beneficial oral effects.

The relationship between dietary elimination and maternal psychopathology in breastfeeding mothers of infants with food allergy

BACKGROUND

There has been no study evaluating the psychopathology in breastfeeding mothers of infants with food allergy (FA).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between dietary elimination and maternal psychopathology, specifically anxiety, depression, and mother-to-infant bonding, in breastfeeding mothers of infants with food allergy.

METHODS

Breastfeeding mothers following an elimination diet due to FA in their children aged 1-to-12 months were compared with the healthy controls. The physician-diagnosed FA group was divided into IgE-, non-IgE-mediated, and infants with some minor symptoms which were not enough to make the diagnosis of FA were classified as Indecisive symptoms for FA group. Mothers completed standardized questionnaires including Symptom Checklist 90R, Beck Depression/Anxiety Inventories (BDI/BAI), Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (Bonding).

RESULTS

Of 179 mother and infants, 64 were healthy, 89 were FA, 16 were indecisive symptoms for FA. The mean age of the mothers and infants were 31.1 ± 4.7 years and 6.3 ± 3.6 months, respectively. The physician-diagnosed FA groups had higher scores for anxiety (p = .008), anger (p = .042), depression (p < .001), obsession (p = .002), phobia (p = .008), somatization (p = .002), general symptom index (GSI) (p = .001), BDI (p < .001), BAI (p = .008), and Bonding (attachment [p = .001], anger [p = .019], and total [p = .036]) than the healthy ones. The indecisive symptoms for FA group had a similar score pattern to physician-diagnosed FA, except interpersonal sensitivity, BDI, and attachment.

CONCLUSION

Breastfeeding mothers of infants with FA were more anxious, with higher depression scores than controls, and had many psychopathologies which affected bonding. Interventions targeting negativity in caregivers' social relationships are urgently needed.

The applications of eHealth technologies in the management of asthma and allergic diseases

Portable devices, such as smartphones and mobile Internet access have become ubiquitous in the last decades. The term 'eHealth' stands for electronic health. The tools included in the eHealth concept utilize phones, computers and the Internet and related applications to improve the health care industry. Implementation of eHealth technologies has been documented for the management of different chronic diseases, including asthma and allergic conditions. Clinicians and patients have gained opportunity to communicate in new ways, which could be used cost-effectively to improve disease control and quality of life of those affected. Additionally, these innovations bring new opportunities to academic researchers. For example, eHealth has allowed researchers to compile data points that were previously unavailable or difficult to access, and analyse them using novel tools, collectively described as 'big data'. The role of eHealth become more important since early 2020, due to the physical distancing rules and the restrictions on mobility that have been applied worldwide as a response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. In this review, we summarize the most recent developments in various eHealth platforms and their relevance to the speciality of allergy and immunology, from the point of view of three major stakeholders: clinicians, patients and researchers.

YouTube as a source of information on breast cancer in the Arab world

BACKGROUND

The general population is increasingly using YouTube as a source of information on breast cancer, the most frequent cancer among women. Arabs are the most interested population in breast cancer on YouTube. The transmission of accurate information is important to reduce mortality rates. This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate breast cancer videos on YouTube in the Arab world.

METHODS

A YouTube search for "breast cancer" in Arabic was performed. The most viewed 60 videos included were evaluated for global quality (GQS score), reliability (modified DISCERN score), content (content score), and misleading claims. Recorded and calculated data included views, duration, videos power index, and viewers' interaction. Sources from legal persons (governments, universities, TV channels, physicians' groups), and blogs (online health channels, individuals) were categorized.

RESULTS

The median global quality (3/5), reliability (2/5), and content scores (4/11) were overall low. Misleading information was found in 42% of the videos. Although videos uploaded by legal persons were less popular (163,454 vs 327,488 views), they hosted more physicians (52% vs 15%), were less misleading (15% vs 64%), covered more content, and were of higher global quality and reliability than videos uploaded by blogs [p < 0.05]. While the topic of symptoms (55%) was discussed the most, genetic counseling (13%) and prevention (20%) were the least mentioned.

CONCLUSIONS

YouTube is poorly informational and inaccurate on breast cancer in the Arab World where it is highly used. Although videos uploaded by legal persons tend to be more adequate, they are of lower popularity. Governments and physicians are encouraged to upload more intelligibly informational videos, guide the population to reliable sources, and support regulations.

Psychosocial Aspects of Food Allergy: Resiliency, Challenges and Opportunities

Food allergy is a public health concern and has been found to be increasing in prevalence; however, psychosocial factors differentiate challenges related to management throughout the lifespan. Resilience has been found to improve quality of life in other chronic diseases, but little has been published regarding increasing resilience in food allergy. The psychosocial impacts of food allergy vary by age group and developmental stage. This article reviews developmental milestones within the context of food allergy in infancy, school-age children, adolescents, and adults. Recommendations for promoting resilience in patients with food allergy are provided.

One Digital Health: A Unified Framework for Future Health Ecosystems

One Digital Health is a proposed unified structure. The conceptual framework of the One Digital Health Steering Wheel is built around two keys (ie, One Health and digital health), three perspectives (ie, individual health and well-being, population and society, and ecosystem), and five dimensions (ie, citizens’ engagement, education, environment, human and veterinary health care, and Healthcare Industry 4.0). One Digital Health aims to digitally transform future health ecosystems, by implementing a systemic health and life sciences approach that takes into account broad digital technology perspectives on human health, animal health, and the management of the surrounding environment. This approach allows for the examination of how future generations of health informaticians can address the intrinsic complexity of novel health and care scenarios in digitally transformed health ecosystems. In the emerging hybrid landscape, citizens and their health data have been called to play a central role in the management of individual-level and population-level perspective data. The main challenges of One Digital Health include facilitating and improving interactions between One Health and digital health communities, to allow for efficient interactions and the delivery of near–real-time, data-driven contributions in systems medicine and systems ecology. However, digital health literacy; the capacity to understand and engage in health prevention activities; self-management; and collaboration in the prevention, control, and alleviation of potential problems are necessary in systemic, ecosystem-driven public health and data science research. Therefore, people in a healthy One Digital Health ecosystem must use an active and forceful approach to prevent and manage health crises and disasters, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Googling Allergy in Ireland: Content Analysis

Background

Internet search engines are increasingly being utilized as the first port of call for medical information by the public. The prevalence of allergies in developed countries has risen steadily over time. There exists significant variability in the quality of health-related information available on the web. Inaccurately diagnosed and mismanaged allergic disease has major downstream effects on patients, general practitioners, and regional allergy services.

Objective

This study aimed to verify whether Ireland has a relatively high rate of web-based allergy-related searches, to establish the proportion of medically accurate web pages encountered by the public, and to compare current search results localized to Dublin, Ireland with urban centers elsewhere.

Methods

Google Trends was used to evaluate regional interest of allergy-related search terms over a 10-year period using terms “allergy,” “allergy test,” “food allergy,” and “food intolerance.” These terms were then inputted into Google search, localizing them to cities in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Output for each search was reviewed by two independent clinicians and deemed rational or nonevidence based, as per current best practice guidelines. Searches localized to Dublin were initially completed in 2015 and repeated in 2019 to assess for changes in the quality of search results over time.

Results

Ireland has a persistently high demand for web-based information relating to allergy and ranks first worldwide for “allergy test,” second for “food allergy” and “food intolerance,” and seventh for “allergy” over the specified 10-year timeframe. Results for each of the four subsearches in Dublin (2015) showed that over 60% of websites promoted nonevidence-based diagnostics. A marginal improvement in scientifically robust information was seen in 2019, but results for “allergy test” and “food intolerance” continued to promote alternative testing 57% (8/14) of the time. This strongly contrasted with results localized to Southampton and Rochester, where academic and hospital-affiliated web pages predominantly featured. Government-funded Department of Health websites did not feature in the top five results for Dublin searches “allergy testing,” “food allergy,” or “food intolerance” in either 2015 or 2019.

Conclusions

The Irish public demonstrates a keen interest in seeking allergy-related information on the web. The proportion of evidence-based websites encountered by the Irish public is considerably lower than that encountered by patients in other urban centers. Factors contributing to this are the lack of a specialist register for allergy in Ireland, inadequate funding for allergy centers currently in operation, and insufficient promotion by the health service of their web-based health database, which contains useful patient-oriented information on allergy. Increased funding of clinical allergology services will more meaningfully impact the health of patients if there is a parallel investment by the health service in information and communication technology consultancy to amplify their presence on the web.

Fiction, Falsehoods, and Few Facts: Cross-Sectional Study on the Content-Related Quality of Atopic Eczema-Related Videos on YouTube

Background

In recent years, YouTube has become a recognized source of medical information for health care consumers. Although YouTube has advantages in this context, there are potential dangers as videos may contain nonscientific, misleading, or even harmful information.

Objective

As little is known about YouTube as a source of information on atopic dermatitis (AD), we investigated the content-related quality of AD videos and their perception among YouTube users.

Methods

The quality of the 100 most viewed AD videos was assessed by using the Global Quality Scale (GQS) and the DISCERN instrument. Videos were classified as “useful,” “misleading,” and “potentially harmful,” and the correlations of viewers’ ratings (likes) with the GQS and DISCERN scores were assessed.

Results

Among the 100 videos, 68.0% (68/100) and 62.0% (62/100) were of poor and very poor scientific quality, respectively. Additionally, 32.0% (32/100) of the videos were classified as useful, 48.0% (48/100) were classified as misleading, and 34.0% (34/100) were classified as potentially harmful. Viewers’ ratings did not correlate with the GQS and DISCERN scores. Overall, 50.0% (50/100) of the videos were posted by private individuals and promoters of complementary/alternative treatments, 42.0% (42/100) by therapeutical advertisers, and only 8.0% (8/100) by nonprofit organizations/universities.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated that two-thirds of the videos analyzed were below acceptable medical quality standards and that many videos were disseminating misleading or even dangerous content. Subjective and anecdotal content was overrepresented, and viewers did not appear to be able to distinguish between high- and low-quality videos. Health promotion strategies by professional medical organizations are needed to improve their presence and visibility on YouTube.

Knowledge and Perceptions of Carbohydrates among Nutrition-Major and Nutrition-Elective Undergraduate Students in Canada

Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess knowledge and perceptions related to carbohydrates, including sugars, among Canadian nutrition-major undergraduates compared to those enrolled in elective nutrition courses (i.e., "nutrition-elective students").Methods: Cross-sectional surveys were distributed during class time at eight Canadian universities, which included 32 questions on demographics, knowledge and perceptions of carbohydrates and sugars. Descriptive analyses were performed. Differences between groups were tested by Chi-squared statistics.Results: A total of 1207 students (60% nutrition-majors) participated in the survey (January 2016-February 2017). Internet-based sources accounted for one-third of the sources where students obtained nutrition information. About 61% of internet-bases sources were "online" or "website" with no qualifiers, and about a quarter was from social media. A higher percentage of nutrition-majors correctly answered knowledge questions of carbohydrates compared with nutrition-elective students (p < 0.01); no difference was observed for sugars-related knowledge questions. The perceptions of sugars were generally negative and did not differ between groups.Conclusions: Several knowledge gaps and common perceptions on topics related to carbohydrates and sugars were identified; nutrition-major students performed better than nutrition-elective students on carbohydrate knowledge questions, but not sugars. These results highlight the importance of identifying methods to help students bridge knowledge gaps and develop skills to critically evaluate nutrition information from various resources and challenge personal biases.

Doctor YouTube's opinion on seasonal influenza: A critical appraisal of the information available to patients

Background

Seasonal influenza is a respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. During the 2017–2018 flu season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted approximately 959,000 hospitalizations and 79,400 deaths from influenza. We sought to evaluate the educational quality of informational videos pertaining to seasonal influenza on the popular social media forum, YouTube.

Methods

Using the keywords “seasonal influenza,” all videos from 28 January to 5 February 2017 were included and analyzed for characteristics, source, and content. The source was further classified as healthcare provider, alternative-medicine provider, the patient and/or their parents, company, media, or professional society. Videos about other categories of influenza (e.g. swine or Spanish) or in foreign languages were excluded. A total of 10 blinded reviewers scored each video independently.

Results

Overall, 300 videos were analyzed, with a median of 341.50 views, 1.00 likes, 0 dislikes, and 0 comments. Based on the average scores of videos by source, there was statistically significant difference in the average score among videos by video source (p < 0.01). Healthcare provider videos had the highest mean scores whereas alternative medicine provider videos had the lowest.

Conclusions

Although the aforementioned video sources scored higher than others, these videos did not fulfill our criteria as far as educating patients thoroughly. Our data also suggest alternative medicine and patient source videos were misleading for patients.

Clinical implications: Although videos by healthcare providers were a better source of information, videos on seasonal influenza were shown to be poor sources of valid healthcare information. This study reiterates the need for higher-quality educational videos on seasonal influenza by the medical community.

The role of mobile health technologies in allergy care: An EAACI position paper

Mobile health (mHealth) uses mobile communication devices such as smartphones and tablet computers to support and improve health-related services, data and information flow, patient self-management, surveillance, and disease management from the moment of first diagnosis to an optimized treatment. The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology created a task force to assess the state of the art and future potential of mHealth in allergology. The task force endorsed the "Be He@lthy, Be Mobile" WHO initiative and debated the quality, usability, efficiency, advantages, limitations, and risks of mobile solutions for allergic diseases. The results are summarized in this position paper, analyzing also the regulatory background with regard to the "General Data Protection Regulation" and Medical Directives of the European Community. The task force assessed the design, user engagement, content, potential of inducing behavioral change, credibility/accountability, and privacy policies of mHealth products. The perspectives of healthcare professionals and allergic patients are discussed, underlining the need of thorough investigation for an effective design of mHealth technologies as auxiliary tools to improve quality of care. Within the context of precision medicine, these could facilitate the change in perspective from clinician- to patient-centered care. The current and future potential of mHealth is then examined for specific areas of allergology, including allergic rhinitis, aerobiology, allergen immunotherapy, asthma, dermatological diseases, food allergies, anaphylaxis, insect venom, and drug allergy. The impact of mobile technologies and associated big data sets are outlined. Facts and recommendations for future mHealth initiatives within EAACI are listed.

Food and drug allergy, and anaphylaxis in EAACI journals (2018)

The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) supports three journals: "Allergy," "Pediatric Allergy and Immunology (PAI)," and "Clinical and Translational Allergy (CTA)." One of the major goals of EAACI is to support health promotion in which prevention of allergy and asthma plays a critical role and to disseminate the knowledge of allergy to all stakeholders including the EAACI junior members. This paper summarizes the achievements of 2018 in anaphylaxis, and food and drug allergy. Main topics that have been focused are anaphylaxis, mechanisms of food allergy (FA), epidemiology of FA, food allergens, diagnosis of FA, prevention and control of FA, FA immunotherapy, drug allergy, and political agenda.

Social Media and Allergy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Social media services dominate online consumption of information and play an ever expanding role in our lives. They are not only used to connect with friends and family but also to educate and recruit colleagues and patients, and to stay up-to-date with the new developments in the field of allergy and immunology.

RECENT FINDINGS

There are known risks to social media user by health care professionals mostly related to breaches of patient confidentiality, professionalism, and privacy. Malpractice and liability risks have been linked to irresponsible use of social media. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current social media tools in allergy. We recommend a pragmatic approach to maximize social media tools for the allergy practice.