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Moens M, Van Doorslaer L, Billot M, Eeckman E, Roulaud M, Rigoard P, Fobelets M, Goudman L. Examining the Type, Quality, and Content of Web-Based Information for People With Chronic Pain Interested in Spinal Cord Stimulation: Social Listening Study. J Med Internet Res 2024; 26:e48599. [PMID: 38289645 PMCID: PMC10865187 DOI: 10.2196/48599] [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: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The increased availability of web-based medical information has encouraged patients with chronic pain to seek health care information from multiple sources, such as consultation with health care providers combined with web-based information. The type and quality of information that is available on the web is very heterogeneous, in terms of content, reliability, and trustworthiness. To date, no studies have evaluated what information is available about neuromodulation on the web for patients with chronic pain. OBJECTIVE This study aims to explore the type, quality, and content of web-based information regarding spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for chronic pain that is freely available and targeted at health care consumers. METHODS The social listening tool Awario was used to search Facebook (Meta Platforms, Inc), Twitter (Twitter, Inc), YouTube (Google LLC), Instagram (Meta Platforms, Inc), blogs, and the web for suitable hits with "pain" and "neuromodulation" as keywords. Quality appraisal of the extracted information was performed using the DISCERN instrument. A thematic analysis through inductive coding was conducted. RESULTS The initial search identified 2174 entries, of which 630 (28.98%) entries were eventually withheld, which could be categorized as web pages, including news and blogs (114/630, 18.1%); Reddit (Reddit, Inc) posts (32/630, 5.1%); Vimeo (Vimeo, Inc) hits (38/630, 6%); or YouTube (Google LLC) hits (446/630, 70.8%). Most posts originated in the United States (519/630, 82.4%). Regarding the content of information, 66.2% (383/579) of the entries discussed (fully discussed or partially discussed) how SCS works. In total, 55.6% (322/579) of the entries did not elaborate on the fact that there may be >1 potential treatment choice and 47.7% (276/579) did not discuss the influence of SCS on the overall quality of life. The inductive coding revealed 4 main themes. The first theme of pain and the burden of pain (1274/8886, 14.34% coding references) explained about pain, pain management, individual impact of pain, and patient experiences. The second theme included neuromodulation as a treatment approach (3258/8886, 36.66% coding references), incorporating the background on neuromodulation, patient-centered care, SCS therapy, and risks. Third, several device-related aspects (1722/8886, 19.38% coding references) were presented. As a final theme, patient benefits and testimonials of treatment with SCS (2632/8886, 29.62% coding references) were revealed with subthemes regarding patient benefits, eligibility, and testimonials and expectations. CONCLUSIONS Health care consumers have access to web-based information about SCS, where details about the surgical procedures, the type of material, working mechanisms, risks, patient expectations, testimonials, and the potential benefits of this therapy are discussed. The reliability, trustworthiness, and correctness of web-based sources should be carefully considered before automatically relying on the content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten Moens
- Department of Neurosurgery, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- STIMULUS (reSearch and TeachIng neuroModULation Uz bruSsel) Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Neurosciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Radiology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Pain in Motion Research Group, Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Leen Van Doorslaer
- STIMULUS (reSearch and TeachIng neuroModULation Uz bruSsel) Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Maxime Billot
- PRISMATICS (Predictive Research in Spine/Neuromodulation Management and Thoracic Innovation/Cardiac Surgery) Lab, Poitiers University Hospital, Poitiers, France
| | - Edgard Eeckman
- ECHO Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Manuel Roulaud
- PRISMATICS (Predictive Research in Spine/Neuromodulation Management and Thoracic Innovation/Cardiac Surgery) Lab, Poitiers University Hospital, Poitiers, France
| | - Philippe Rigoard
- PRISMATICS (Predictive Research in Spine/Neuromodulation Management and Thoracic Innovation/Cardiac Surgery) Lab, Poitiers University Hospital, Poitiers, France
- Department of Spine Surgery & Neuromodulation, Poitiers University Hospital, Poitiers, France
- Pprime Institute UPR 3346, CNRS, ISAE-ENSMA, University of Poitiers, Chasseneuil-du-Poitou, France
| | - Maaike Fobelets
- Biostatistics and Medical Informatics Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Brussels Institute for Teacher Education, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lisa Goudman
- Department of Neurosurgery, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- STIMULUS (reSearch and TeachIng neuroModULation Uz bruSsel) Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Neurosciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Pain in Motion Research Group, Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Research Foundation-Flanders (FWO), Brussels, Belgium
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Faqeh S, Alansari S, Althagafi A, Abdulaziz A, Alhajjaji A, Kurdi A, Allihyani M, Qashlan M, Alhotirshi R, Alhassani R, Alsurayhi S, Alshareef O, Ali M. Views and Perceptions of Medical Representatives and Physicians about the Role of Medical Representatives and Pharmaceutical Advertisement in Saudi Arabia - A Pilot Study. J Res Pharm Pract 2022; 11:127-135. [PMID: 37969614 PMCID: PMC10642585 DOI: 10.4103/jrpp.jrpp_65_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Medical representatives (MRs) frequently interact with physicians who may have different perceptions about and expectations from product promotional activities by pharmaceutical companies, especially through MRs. This can affect their prescribing practice. We explored the views and perceptions of MRs and physicians about the role of MRs and pharmaceutical advertisements in Saudi Arabia. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted virtually through the ZOOM application with five MRs and five physicians from July to October 2022. The participants were recruited from the Makkah region in Saudi Arabia on a convenience sampling basis and through the snowballing method. The interviews were recorded with the consent of the participants, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed. Findings Data saturation was found to be achieved with four interviews from each group of participants. Thematic analysis generated 338 codes which were categorized into 31 subthemes. These subthemes were further categorized into 11 overarching themes: "MR daily work," "Role of MRs in healthcare and their future," "Value of MRs in healthcare," "Pros and cons of the MR career," "MRs in the COVID-19 pandemic," "Differences between the pharmaceutical companies," "Goods and not-so-goods about the MRs," "Suggestions provided by physicians for MRs and pharmaceutical companies," "Marketing strategies of different pharmaceutical companies," "Experience of MRs" and "Support provided by pharmaceutical companies." Conclusion Our pilot study sheds light on the role of MRs and pharmaceutical advertisement from MRs' and physicians perspectives. Several recommendations can be drawn from our findings to make the interactions between MRs and physicians more effective and improve pharmaceutical advertisement, prescribing practices, and patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sultan Faqeh
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Safwan Alansari
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulrahman Althagafi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Care, Al Noor Specialist Hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Akrm Abdulaziz
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulrahman Alhajjaji
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Kurdi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Moayad Allihyani
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mutaz Qashlan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Raghad Alhotirshi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rawan Alhassani
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, California, United States
| | - Suhail Alsurayhi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Omar Alshareef
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Majid Ali
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Medicine, Sulaiman Al-Rajhi University, Al-Bukayriyah, Saudi Arabia
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Moens M, Alliet W, Billot M, De Smedt A, Flamée P, Vanhonacker D, Roulaud M, Rigoard P, Goudman L. Goals, Expectations, and the Definition of Success for Neuromodulation for Pain According to Representatives of Neuromodulation Device Manufacturers. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12091457. [PMID: 36143243 PMCID: PMC9500654 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12091457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Representatives of neuromodulation device manufacturers are expected to facilitate the relationship between patients and healthcare providers. Nevertheless, the goals, expectations, and definition of success for neuromodulation for pain have not yet been explored. Representatives present at the 2nd Joint Congress of the INS European Chapters in September 2021 completed a survey to ascertain their opinions about the goals to achieve with neuromodulation, the factors that they expect to change, and their definition of success for neuromodulation. In total, 39 representatives completed the survey. To provide excellent service for patients (22.4%), to become a trusted partner for physicians (21.5%), and to provide excellent service for physicians (20.7%) were the highest ranked goals. The most frequently reported factors that were expected to change were pain intensity (23.1%), patient satisfaction (19.7%), mobility/functioning (14.5%), and capacity to return to work (13.7%). Within the definitions of success, increased quality of life of the patient was stated in 21% of the definitions, closely followed by pain control (19.3%) and happiness/patient satisfaction (15.8%). The goals of representatives of neuromodulation device manufacturers seem to focus on ensuring a good relationship with physicians on the one hand and providing good service towards patients on the other hand, whereby pain control, quality of life, and patient satisfaction seem to be important for company representatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten Moens
- Department of Neurosurgery, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Radiology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- STIMULUS Consortium (reSearch and TeachIng neuroModULation Uz bruSsel), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- Pain in Motion (PAIN) Research Group, Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - William Alliet
- Department of Anesthesiology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Maxime Billot
- PRISMATICS Lab (Predictive Research in Spine/Neuromodulation Management and Thoracic Innovation/Cardiac Surgery), Poitiers University Hospital, 86021 Poitiers, France
| | - Ann De Smedt
- STIMULUS Consortium (reSearch and TeachIng neuroModULation Uz bruSsel), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Panagiotis Flamée
- Department of Anesthesiology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Domien Vanhonacker
- Department of Anesthesiology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Manuel Roulaud
- PRISMATICS Lab (Predictive Research in Spine/Neuromodulation Management and Thoracic Innovation/Cardiac Surgery), Poitiers University Hospital, 86021 Poitiers, France
| | - Philippe Rigoard
- PRISMATICS Lab (Predictive Research in Spine/Neuromodulation Management and Thoracic Innovation/Cardiac Surgery), Poitiers University Hospital, 86021 Poitiers, France
- Department of Spine Surgery & Neuromodulation, Poitiers University Hospital, 86021 Poitiers, France
- Pprime Institute UPR 3346, CNRS, ISAE-ENSMA, University of Poitiers, 86360 Chasseneuil-du-Poitou, France
| | - Lisa Goudman
- Department of Neurosurgery, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- STIMULUS Consortium (reSearch and TeachIng neuroModULation Uz bruSsel), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- Pain in Motion (PAIN) Research Group, Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- Research Foundation—Flanders (FWO), 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +32-2477-5514
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