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Wang Y, Koffman J, Gao W, Zhou Y, Chukwusa E, Curcin V. Social media for palliative and end-of-life care research: a systematic review. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2024; 14:149-162. [PMID: 38594059 PMCID: PMC11103321 DOI: 10.1136/spcare-2023-004579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social media with real-time content and a wide-reaching user network opens up more possibilities for palliative and end-of-life care (PEoLC) researchers who have begun to embrace it as a complementary research tool. This review aims to identify the uses of social media in PEoLC studies and to examine the ethical considerations and data collection approaches raised by this research approach. METHODS Nine online databases were searched for PEoLC research using social media published before December 2022. Thematic analysis and narrative synthesis approach were used to categorise social media applications. RESULTS 21 studies were included. 16 studies used social media to conduct secondary analysis and five studies used social media as a platform for information sharing. Ethical considerations relevant to social media studies varied while 15 studies discussed ethical considerations, only 6 studies obtained ethical approval and 5 studies confirmed participant consent. Among studies that used social media data, most of them manually collected social media data, and other studies relied on Twitter application programming interface or third-party analytical tools. A total of 1 520 329 posts, 325 videos and 33 articles related to PEoLC from 2008 to 2022 were collected and analysed. CONCLUSIONS Social media has emerged as a promising complementary research tool with demonstrated feasibility in various applications. However, we identified the absence of standardised ethical handling and data collection approaches which pose an ongoing challenge. We provided practical recommendations to bridge these pressing gaps for researchers wishing to use social media in future PEoLC-related studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijun Wang
- Department of Population Health Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jonathan Koffman
- Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, Hull, UK
| | - Wei Gao
- Epidemiology & Health Statistics, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yuxin Zhou
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Emeka Chukwusa
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Vasa Curcin
- Department of Population Health Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
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Jones K, Wilson-Keates B, Melrose S. Using social media to recruit research participants: a literature review. Nurse Res 2024; 32:28-34. [PMID: 38105712 DOI: 10.7748/nr.2023.e1859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It may be challenging for researchers to recruit enough participants to have a diverse and representative sample for their studies. Usual recruitment methods that were historically effective can be difficult to use because of high costs, time constraints and geographical limitations. Social media is a low-cost, time-saving alternative. AIM To summarise the benefits and challenges of using social media for recruitment. DISCUSSION This article provides an overview of social media. It considers the advantages of social media for recruitment, including its cost-effectiveness, accessibility, speed and potential exposure for researchers. It also discusses the challenges of using social media for recruitment, including ethical ambiguity, homogenous sampling and questionable validity of information gathered. CONCLUSION Using social media for research saves time and reduces costs, increasing access to hard-to-reach populations and the reach of recruitment efforts. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Options for researchers wishing to use social media for study recruitment are outlined, as are strategies for managing some of the challenges involved in this recruitment method.
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Kogetsu A, Kato K. Framework and Practical Guidance for the Ethical Use of Electronic Methods for Communication With Participants in Medical Research. J Med Internet Res 2022; 24:e33167. [PMID: 35442208 PMCID: PMC9069285 DOI: 10.2196/33167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Online communication with participants, including online recruitment, electronic informed consent, and data communication, is one of the fields to which information and communication technology (ICT) has been applied in medical research. Online communication provides various benefits, especially for genome research and rare disease research. However, ethical challenges that are derived from or exacerbated by online communication need to be addressed. Here, we present an overview of such ethical issues and provide practical guidance for the ethical implementation of ICT. We specify the ethical issues in the context of using online communication for medical research by an analysis based on the eight ethical principles for clinical research. Informed by this ethical context, we then develop a novel framework for the governance of medical research involving ICT, which consists of eight categories: five research processes (ie, design of research, recruitment, informed consent, data communication, and dissemination and return of results) and three overarching perspectives related to multiple processes of research (ie, access to research and online dialog, community involvement, and independent review). Finally, we present a practical guidance chart for researchers, patient partners, independent reviewers, and funding agencies. We believe that our study will contribute to the ethical implementation of online communication in medical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Kogetsu
- Department of Biomedical Ethics and Public Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuto Kato
- Department of Biomedical Ethics and Public Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
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4
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Heckman CJ, Riley M, Khavjou O, Ohman-Strickland P, Manne SL, Yaroch AL, Bhurosy T, Coups EJ, Glanz K. Cost, reach, and representativeness of recruitment efforts for an online skin cancer risk reduction intervention trial for young adults. Transl Behav Med 2021; 11:1875-1884. [PMID: 34160622 PMCID: PMC8541696 DOI: 10.1093/tbm/ibab047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite its increasing use, few studies have reported on demographic representativeness and costs of research recruitment via social media. It was hypothesized that cost, reach, enrollment, and demographic representativeness would differ by social media recruitment approach. Participants were 18-25 year-olds at moderate to high risk of skin cancer based on phenotypic and behavioral characteristics. Paid Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter ads, unpaid social media posts by study staff, and unpaid referrals were used to recruit participants. Demographic and other characteristics of the sample were compared with the 2015 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) sample. Analyses demonstrated significant differences among recruitment approaches regarding cost efficiency, study participation, and representativeness. Costs were compared across 4,274 individuals who completed eligibility screeners over a 7-month period from: Instagram, 44.6% (of the sample) = 1,907, $9 (per individual screened); Facebook, 31.5% = 1,345, $8; Twitter, 1% = 42, $178; unpaid posts by study staff, 10.6% and referred, 6.5%, $1. The lowest rates of study enrollment among individuals screened was for Twitter. Most demographic and skin cancer risk factors of study participants differed from those of the 2015 NHIS sample and across social media recruitment approaches. Considering recruitment costs and number of participants enrolled, Facebook and Instagram appeared to be the most useful approaches for recruiting 18-25 year-olds. Findings suggest that project budget, target population and representativeness, and participation goals should inform selection and/or combination of existing and emerging online recruitment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mary Riley
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Olga Khavjou
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | | | - Sharon L Manne
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Amy L Yaroch
- Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition, Omaha, NE, USA
| | | | | | - Karen Glanz
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Falcone T, Dagar A, Castilla-Puentes RC, Anand A, Brethenoux C, Valleta LG, Furey P, Timmons-Mitchell J, Pestana-Knight E. Digital conversations about suicide among teenagers and adults with epilepsy: A big-data, machine learning analysis. Epilepsia 2020; 61:951-958. [PMID: 32383797 PMCID: PMC7384181 DOI: 10.1111/epi.16507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Objective Digital media conversations can provide important insight into the concerns and struggles of people with epilepsy (PWE) outside of formal clinical settings and help generate useful information for treatment planning. Our study aimed to explore the big data from open‐source digital conversations among PWE with regard to suicidality, specifically comparing teenagers and adults, using machine learning technology. Methods Advanced machine‐learning empowered methodology was used to mine and structure open‐source digital conversations of self‐identifying teenagers and adults who endorsed suffering from epilepsy and engaged in conversation about suicide. The search was limited to 12 months and included only conversations originating from US internet protocol (IP) addresses. Natural language processing and text analytics were employed to develop a thematic analysis. Results A total of 222 000 unique conversations about epilepsy, including 9000 (4%) related to suicide, were posted during the study period. The suicide‐related conversations were posted by 7.8% of teenagers and 3.2% of adults in the study. Several critical differences were noted between teenagers and adults. A higher percentage of teenagers are: fearful of “the unknown” due to seizures (63% vs 12% adults), concerned about social consequences of seizures (30% vs 21%), and seek emotional support (29% vs 19%). In contrast, a significantly higher percentage of adults show a defeatist (“given up”) attitude compared to teenagers (42% vs 4%). There were important differences in the author's determined sentiments behind the conversations among teenagers and adults. Significance In this first of its kind big data analysis of nearly a quarter‐million digital conversations about epilepsy using machine learning, we found that teenagers engage in an online conversation about suicide more often than adults. There are some key differences in the attitudes and concerns, which may have implications for the treatment of younger patients with epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Falcone
- Department of Psychiatry/Epilepsy, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Anjali Dagar
- Department of Psychiatry/Epilepsy, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | - Amit Anand
- Department of Psychiatry/Epilepsy, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | | | | | - Jane Timmons-Mitchell
- Begun Center for Violence Prevention Research and Education, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Elia Pestana-Knight
- Department of Psychiatry/Epilepsy, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
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Portz JD, Cognetta S, Bekelman DB. Potential Technology Development for Palliative Care. J Palliat Med 2019; 21:899-900. [PMID: 29975619 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2018.0126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer D Portz
- 1 Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora, Colorado.,2 School of Social Work, College of Health and Human Sciences, Colorado State University , Fort Collins, Colorado
| | | | - David B Bekelman
- 1 Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora, Colorado.,4 Department of Veterans Affairs, Eastern Colorado Healthcare System , Denver, Colorado
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7
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Levy K, Grant PC, Depner RM, Tenzek KE, Pailler ME, Beaupin LK, Breier JM, Byrwa DJ. The Photographs of Meaning Program for Pediatric Palliative Caregivers: Feasibility of a Novel Meaning-Making Intervention. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2019; 36:557-563. [PMID: 30665322 DOI: 10.1177/1049909118824560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research indicates that informal caregiving can have intense physical and mental impact on the individual. Relative to caregivers of adults, pediatric palliative caregivers appear less in literature despite experiencing greater mental, physical, financial, and social strain. There is limited research on the creation and evaluation of interventions specifically for this population despite clear need. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and engagement of the Photographs of Meaning Program, a modified meaning-making intervention for pediatric palliative caregivers. DESIGN Participants completed a pre-post intervention meaning-in-life measure. Over a 9-week period, participants followed a meaning-making curriculum whereby they created and shared photo narratives via social media. As part of the intervention, a community photo exhibition was held featuring these photo narratives. Exit interviews were also conducted at study close. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS Nine individuals providing informal care to children in a pediatric palliative care program participated in the intervention. All participants were female and are older than 18 years. Settings for research include participant homes and at The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care in Cheektowaga, New York. RESULTS Participants posted 95 photographs and 96 narratives during the intervention, posting on average once each week. Statistical analysis within the small sample indicated an increased presence of meaning in the lives of participants ( P = .022). Exit interviews conveyed satisfaction with the intervention. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that the Photographs of Meaning Program is a practical intervention with life-enhancing potential for pediatric palliative. Future research should aim to collect additional evidence of the intervention's effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Levy
- 1 Palliative Care Institute, The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care, Cheektowaga, NY, USA
| | - Pei C Grant
- 1 Palliative Care Institute, The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care, Cheektowaga, NY, USA
| | - Rachel M Depner
- 1 Palliative Care Institute, The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care, Cheektowaga, NY, USA.,2 Department of Counseling, School and Educational Psychology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Kelly E Tenzek
- 3 Department of Communication, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Megan E Pailler
- 4 Department of Psychosocial Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | | | - Jennifer M Breier
- 1 Palliative Care Institute, The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care, Cheektowaga, NY, USA
| | - David J Byrwa
- 1 Palliative Care Institute, The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care, Cheektowaga, NY, USA.,6 School of Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
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9
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Freedman RA, Viswanath K, Vaz-Luis I, Keating NL. Learning from social media: utilizing advanced data extraction techniques to understand barriers to breast cancer treatment. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2016; 158:395-405. [PMID: 27339067 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-016-3872-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Past examinations of breast cancer treatment barriers have typically included registry, claims-based, and smaller survey studies. We examined treatment barriers using a novel, comprehensive, social media analysis of online, candid discussions about breast cancer. Using an innovative toolset to search postings on social networks, message boards, patient communities, and topical sites, we performed a large-scale qualitative analysis. We examined the sentiments and barriers expressed about breast cancer treatments by Internet users during 1 year (2/1/14-1/31/15). We categorized posts based on thematic patterns and examined trends in discussions by race/ethnicity (white/black/Hispanic) when this information was available. We identified 1,024,041 unique posts related to breast cancer treatment. Overall, 57 % of posts expressed negative sentiments. Using machine learning software, we assigned treatment barriers for 387,238 posts (38 %). Barriers included emotional (23 % of posts), preferences and spiritual/religious beliefs (21 %), physical (18 %), resource (15 %), healthcare perceptions (9 %), treatment processes/duration (7 %), and relationships (7 %). Black and Hispanic (vs. white) users more frequently reported barriers related to healthcare perceptions, beliefs, and pre-diagnosis/diagnosis organizational challenges and fewer emotional barriers. Using a novel analysis of diverse social media users, we observed numerous breast cancer treatment barriers that differed by race/ethnicity. Social media is a powerful tool, allowing use of real-world data for qualitative research, capitalizing on the rich discussions occurring spontaneously online. Future research should focus on how to further employ and learn from this type of social intelligence research across all medical disciplines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A Freedman
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
| | - Kasisomayajula Viswanath
- Center for Community-Based Research, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Society and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ines Vaz-Luis
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Nancy L Keating
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Hopewell-Kelly N, Baillie J, Sivell S, Harrop E, Bowyer A, Taylor S, Thomas K, Newman A, Prout H, Byrne A, Taubert M, Nelson A. Palliative care research centre's move into social media: constructing a framework for ethical research, a consensus paper. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2016; 9:219-224. [PMID: 26823291 PMCID: PMC6582818 DOI: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2015-000889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Revised: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social media (SM) have altered the way we live and, for many, the way we die. The information available on even the rarest conditions is vast. Free from restrictions of mobility, time and distance, SM provides a space for people to share experiences of illness, death and dying, and potentially benefit from the emotional and practical support of others n similar positions. The communications that take place in these spaces also create large amounts of 'data' which, for any research centre, cannot be ignored. However, for a palliative care research centre the use of this 'data' comes with specific ethical dilemmas. METHODS This paper details the process that we, as a research, went through in constructing a set of ethical guidelines by which to work. This involved conducting two consensus days; one with researchers from within the centre, and one with the inclusion of external researchers with a specific interest in SM. RESULTS The primary themes that emerged from the consensus meetings includes; SM as a public or private space; the status of open and closed groups; the use of historical data; recruiting participants and obtaining informed consent and problems of anonymity associated with dissemination. CONCLUSIONS These are the themes that this paper will focus on prior to setting out the guidelines that we subsequently constructed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noreen Hopewell-Kelly
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Centre, Institute of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Jessica Baillie
- School of Healthcare Sciences, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff, UK
| | - Stephanie Sivell
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Centre, Institute of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Emily Harrop
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Centre, Institute of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Anna Bowyer
- Community Palliative Care Services Team, Ty Hafan, Vale of Glamorgan, UK
| | - Sophia Taylor
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Centre, Institute of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Kristen Thomas
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Centre, Institute of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Alisha Newman
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Centre, Institute of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Hayley Prout
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Centre, Institute of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Anthony Byrne
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Centre, Institute of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Mark Taubert
- Palliative Care Department, Velindre Cancer Centre, Cardiff, UK
| | - Annmarie Nelson
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Centre, Institute of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
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