Patient Education and Engagement through Social Media

Emphasizing Patient-Centricity Through a Tailored Training Program to Empower Patients, Advocates, and Ethics Committees in Good Clinical Practice

OBJECTIVES

Good Clinical Practices (GCP) are essential for patient-centric research. The standard bioethics and GCP training emphasizing a "one-size-fits-all" approach may not adequately equip ethics committee members, especially the lay and social scientist members, towards their critical role in reviewing clinical trials and related documentation. This article explores a patient-centered, patient advocates-driven training program focused on raising awareness about research ethics and GCP among patients, advocates and ethics committee members.

METHODS

A patient advocates-driven program called Patient Advocates for Clinical Research (PACER) conducted trainings focused on GCP for patient-centric research for patients, advocates and ethics committee members. Pre- and post-workshop questionnaires were used to assess the participants' knowledge of GCP.

RESULTS

The workshop was attended by 116 participants. Of these 91 consented to participate in questionnaire evaluation that assessed participants' knowledge on ethics committee (EC) functionality, research ethics and data confidentiality. Pre-workshop evaluations highlighted knowledge gaps. Only 16.5% were familiar with the primary ethical consideration for vulnerable populations and 69.2% were knowledgeable about data governance. Post-workshop evaluations demonstrated significant overall response improvement of 5.4% (𝜒2=13.890; p<0.001). The understanding of ethical considerations for vulnerable populations rose by 15.4% (p=0.007), and knowledge of data privacy regulations improved by 11.0% (p=0.041).

CONCLUSION

The workshop under PACER initiative highlighted the knowledge gaps in understanding the EC functionality, research ethics and data confidentiality. The workshop effectively fostered participants' understanding of ethical research practices.

Prevalence and Factors Associated With Awareness of Precision Medicine Among Individuals With Depression and Anxiety

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates the prevalence and determinants of awareness of precision medicine among a nationally representative sample of individuals with self-reported depression and anxiety in the United States."

METHODS

Data were obtained from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) 5, Cycle 4, which is a study administered by the National Cancer Institute and is nationally representative. The survey, conducted between February and June 2020, targeted non-institutionalized, civilian US adults aged 18 years and older. Utilizing survey-weighted logistic regression, predictors of precision medicine awareness were assessed, encompassing sociodemographic, health-related, and technological factors.

RESULTS

Among 890 individuals with self-reported depression and/or anxiety, approximately 15.3% reported awareness of precision medicine. Participants who had a higher level of education and those who had increased health-linked social media usage were three times more likely to be aware of precision medicine compared to those who did not. Old age was also positively associated with increased awareness.

CONCLUSION

The present study's findings have disclosed an alarming lack of awareness of precision medicine, particularly among mentally ill persons with anxiety or depression, in which the targeted subgroups, including individuals with lower education levels and limited health-linked social media utilization, indicated lower levels of awareness. As such, it is recommended that such disparities be tackled using customized interventions along with educational initiatives, as this is likely to improve awareness levels while also ensuring equitable and increased access to precision medicine within the context of mental health.

Characteristics and variations in young adults with cutaneous melanoma: A national cancer database analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Many cancers in young adulthood differ in terms of biology, histologic variation, and prognosis compared to cancer in other older age groups. Differences in cutaneous melanoma among young adults compared to other older age groups, as well as between sexes in young adults are not well studied.

METHODS

The National Cancer Database was queried for patients diagnosed with cutaneous melanoma between 2004 and 2017. Patient characteristics, disease factors, and treatment were stratified by age-based cohorts and compared using standard univariate statistics. The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank tests were used to evaluate overall survival (OS) between age-based cohorts and young adult sexes.

RESULTS

Of the 329 765 patients identified, 10.5% were between 18 and 39 years of age at diagnosis. Compared with other older age groups, young adult patients were more likely to be female and uninsured with higher proportions of superficial spreading melanoma, melanoma of the trunk and extremities, and earlier-stage disease. Young adults had improved OS compared to other older age groups. Young male patients had a greater proportion of no insurance, nodular melanoma, higher-stage disease, and decreased OS compared to young female patients. Additionally, while the 5-year OS difference was statistically significant across all stages of disease between young males and females, the clinical significance is likely limited to later stages.

CONCLUSIONS

Age and sex-specific differences in cutaneous melanoma highlight distinct patterns and characteristics, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches to screening, diagnosis, and treatment.

Awareness and associated factors of venous thromboembolism in breast cancer surgical patients: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major complication of breast cancer surgical patients. Assessing VTE awareness enables medical staff to tailor educational programs that improve patient self-management and reduce VTE risk. Therefore, this study aimed to assess VTE awareness among breast cancer surgical patients and identify factors influencing their awareness level.

METHODS

A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted on breast cancer patients scheduled for surgery from May 2023 to November 2023. Data were collected using a general information form and a validated self-assessment questionnaire on VTE awareness for breast cancer surgical patients. Univariate analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Of 1969 patients included, the term awareness rates for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism were 42.5% and 26.1%, respectively. Information about VTE was primarily obtained from doctors (30.4%), nurses (24.0%), and social media (23.3%). The overall average VTE awareness score was 1.55 ± 0.53, with the dimension of VTE preventive measures scoring highest, and VTE clinical symptoms/signs scoring lowest. Multivariate analysis identified education level, personal VTE history, chemotherapy and surgical history, and the hospital's regional location as significant factors associated with VTE awareness level (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study highlights a critical need for improved VTE awareness among breast cancer surgical patients, particularly regarding clinical symptoms/signs. Health education programs are recommended especially tailored for patients with lower education levels, no history of VTE, or without prior surgery or chemotherapy, to improve their understanding of VTE.

Attitudes towards snakebite health education and associated factors among residents in China: A national cross-sectional study

Background

This study aimed to investigate attitudes towards health education on snakebites and to identify the influencing factors among Chinese residents. Additionally, we proposed effective health education strategies for snakebite management.

Methods

Between May 2022 and February 2023, we conducted a nationwide cross-sectional questionnaire survey using a multistage sampling method with supplementary snowball sampling. We used descriptive analysis, χ2 tests, and univariable and multivariable binary logistic regression models to analyse the data.

Results

We included 56 669 respondents in the analysis. The average score for snakebite knowledge was 12.13 ± 5.26 points, with a maximum score of 28. Among the respondents, 72.66 and 63.03% of the residents believed that it was necessary to disseminate knowledge about snakebites and expressed a willingness to receive snakebite training, respectively. Respondents from the northeast region, respondents with a higher education level, and respondents with higher scores for snakebite knowledge, health knowledge, health skills, and social-psychological adjustment skills exhibited more positive attitudes towards snakebite knowledge dissemination and training. Conversely, respondents from eastern or southern China, respondents older than 60, and respondents who lived in rudimentary housing conditions showed a lower perception of the need for snakebite knowledge dissemination and were less willing to participate in snakebite knowledge and skill training.

Conclusions

Generally, Chinese residents have positive attitudes towards snakebite knowledge dissemination and training. However, the public lacks sufficient knowledge about snakebites. Therefore, we should pay close attention to areas south of the Yangtze River to strengthen snakebite health education using engaging formats that align with residents' interests, such as short videos or television programmes, in an attempt to and ultimately improve health literacy and prevention awareness.

Common misconceptions and myths about ovarian cancer causation: a national cross-sectional study from palestine

BACKGROUND

Women's inability to recognize ovarian cancer (OC) causation myths to be incorrect may lead to behavioral changes that could distract them from actual risk factors and impact their treatment decision making. This study examined Palestinian women's recognition of OC mythical causes, and explored factors associated with good recognition.

METHODS

A national cross-sectional study was conducted. Adult Palestinian women were recruited from hospitals, primary healthcare facilities, and public areas in 11 governorates. The Cancer Awareness Measure-Mythical Causes Scale was modified and utilized for data collection. Awareness level was determined based on the number of myths around OC causation recognized to be incorrect: poor (0-4), fair (5-9), and good (10-13).

RESULTS

A total of 5618 participants agreed and completed the questionnaire out of 6095 approached (response rate = 92.1%), and 5411 questionnaires were included in the final analysis. The most recognized food-related myth was 'drinking from plastic bottles' (n = 1370, 25.3%) followed by 'eating burnt food' (n = 1298, 24.0%). The least recognized food-related myth was 'eating food containing additives' (n = 611, 11.3%). The most recognized food-unrelated myth was 'having a physical trauma' (n = 2899, 53.6%), whereas the least recognized was 'using mobile phones' (n = 1347, 24.9%). Only 273 participants (5.1%) had good awareness of OC causation myths as incorrect. Earning higher monthly incomes as well as visiting governmental healthcare facilities were associated with a decrease in the likelihood of exhibiting good awareness.

CONCLUSION

The overall recognition of OC causation myths was low. Addressing mythical beliefs should be included in OC prevention strategies and public health interventions to improve women's understanding of OC risk factors versus mythical causes.

Truth or Trend - Misinformation Spreading Fast on TikTok: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Onychomycosis Content

Background

Onychomycosis is the most frequently diagnosed nail condition in clinical practice. With the growing popularity of TikTok and online health information-seeking behavior, it is imperative to understand onychomycosis-related content on this platform.

Objective

Our objective was to assess content and quality of the most popular onychomycosis-related content on TikTok.

Methods

We queried TikTok for videos using the search terms "onychomycosis" and "nail fungus" for the top 100 videos by view count, with DISCERN scoring used to rate videos for quality.

Results

Average DISCERN score was 1.77 and dermatologists posted videos with the highest mean score (2.56). Most of the videos were educational (72%) and/or related to treatment (69%). Home remedies were recommended more often (58%) than FDA-approved therapies (7%). Physician versus nonphysician posted videos had higher mean DISCERN score (2.28 vs. 1.44) (p < 0.001), greater view number (1,209,953 vs. 343,993) (p < 0.05), and more often discussed medical therapy (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

While social media is a valuable resource for providing medical information to an interminable audience, there are significant shortcomings. Therefore, we recommend that dermatologists advise patients against relying on social media for medical information and consider using social media to provide accessible evidence-based health education on onychomycosis.

Use of Social Media for Patient Education in Dermatology: Narrative Review

BACKGROUND

Social media has rapidly become one of the main avenues for news and communication among those with access to technology. Nearly 60% or 4.7 billion people worldwide use social media. Different social media networks provide users with a barrage of posts, opinions, and transformations. With this noticeable uptick in physician and patient education usage of social media, exploration of the impacts of social media on patient education in dermatology is crucial.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this narrative review was to evaluate existing peer-reviewed literature examining the use of social media for patient education in dermatology and to establish trends and implications. Additional attention was given to different social media sites, and potential differences in modalities of posts such as short-form videos on TikTok and Instagram Reels, long-form videos on YouTube, and infographics on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

METHODS

PubMed, Access DermatologyDxRx, and Scopus searches of peer-reviewed publications were performed to discover articles with social media and patient education keywords in combination with other health care-relevant or dermatology-relevant keywords. Subsequently, the screening of these studies was performed by the author who has experience with education and research experience in health care, dermatology, social media, and telehealth. Ultimately, the selected articles were summarized through qualitative analysis of key points and presented for further discussion.

RESULTS

Through this narrative review, the researcher was able to identify several publications focusing on dermatology and social media. Some common subject areas included the use of social media for the promotion of private dermatology practices, residency programs, and research journals. So long as providers, such as dermatologists, take ethical considerations into account, these platforms can provide patients with curated educational content. In addition, several publications emphasized the use of social media as a form of patient education on dermatologic conditions but also as a source of misinformation.

CONCLUSIONS

This narrative review illuminated the use of social media as a form of patient education for dermatology, with its applications addressed across many demographics and situations. As social media platforms continue to update their algorithms, content filters, and posts, social media may become a reputable form of patient education in dermatology. Future studies and innovations should continue to explore innovations in this space, the efficacy of different modalities of posts, and longitudinal differences in patient outcomes and health literacy.

Twitter Trends for Celiac Disease and the Gluten-Free Diet: Cross-sectional Descriptive Analysis

Background

Few studies have systematically analyzed information regarding chronic medical conditions and available treatments on social media. Celiac disease (CD) is an exemplar of the need to investigate web-based educational sources. CD is an autoimmune condition wherein the ingestion of gluten causes intestinal damage and, if left untreated by a strict gluten-free diet (GFD), can result in significant nutritional deficiencies leading to cancer, bone disease, and death. Adherence to the GFD can be difficult owing to cost and negative stigma, including misinformation about what gluten is and who should avoid it. Given the significant impact that negative stigma and common misunderstandings have on the treatment of CD, this condition was chosen to systematically investigate the scope and nature of sources and information distributed through social media.

Objective

To address concerns related to educational social media sources, this study explored trends on the social media platform Twitter about CD and the GFD to identify primary influencers and the type of information disseminated by these influencers.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used data mining to collect tweets and users who used the hashtags #celiac and #glutenfree from an 8-month time frame. Tweets were then analyzed to describe who is disseminating information via this platform and the content, source, and frequency of such information.

Results

More content was posted for #glutenfree (1501.8 tweets per day) than for #celiac (69 tweets per day). A substantial proportion of the content was produced by a small percentage of contributors (ie, "Superuser"), who could be categorized as self-promotors (eg, bloggers, writers, authors; 13.9% of #glutenfree tweets and 22.7% of #celiac tweets), self-identified female family members (eg, mother; 4.3% of #glutenfree tweets and 8% of #celiac tweets), or commercial entities (eg, restaurants and bakeries). On the other hand, relatively few self-identified scientific, nonprofit, and medical provider users made substantial contributions on Twitter related to the GFD or CD (1% of #glutenfree tweets and 3.1% of #celiac tweets, respectively).

Conclusions

Most material on Twitter was provided by self-promoters, commercial entities, or self-identified female family members, which may not have been supported by current medical and scientific practices. Researchers and medical providers could potentially benefit from contributing more to this space to enhance the web-based resources for patients and families.

Impact of COVID-19 on Management Strategies for Coronary and Structural Heart Disease Interventions

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges globally, with significant strain on the healthcare system in the United States and worldwide. In this article, we review the impact of COVID-19 on percutaneous coronary interventions and structural heart disease practices, as well as the impact of the pandemic on related clinical research and trials. We also discuss the consensus recommendations from the scientific societies and suggest potential solutions and strategies to overcome some of these challenges.

FINDINGS

With the limited resources and significant burden on the healthcare system during the pandemic, changes have evolved in practice to provide care to the highest risk patients while minimizing unnecessary exposure during elective surgical or transcatheter procedures. The COVID-19 crisis has significantly impacted the management of patients with acute coronary syndromes, chronic coronary syndromes, and structural heart disease.

The use of social media among saudi ophthalmologists: A descriptive cross-sectional study

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Impact of Social Media and Virtual Learning on Cardiology During the COVID-19 Pandemic Era and Beyond

Over the past decade, advances in digital trends and technology have greatly impacted the medical field with rapid delivery of and access to information. The field of cardiovascular medicine in particular has seen major technological advances and is well versed in the use of digital platforms and social media. In these unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic, social media and other digital platforms are essential tools for communication, education, and delivery of information. In this review, we discuss the ways virtual learning and social media are changing medical education and research.