Trust, Media Credibility, Social Ties, and the Intention to Share Information Verification in an Age of Fake News

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices towards Acceptance of Health Science Information among WeChat Public Account Users: A Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of WeChat users towards health-related public accounts.

METHODS

The study included 567 participants who completed the questionnaire. Pearson correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation among the 3 dimensions. Multivariate analysis identified independent factors associated with KAP scores.

RESULTS

The mean scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice were 6.12 ± 2.29 (61.2% of the total), 55.83 ± 7.33 (69.8% of the total), and 14.07 ± 3.72 (70.4% of the total), respectively. Significant positive correlations were observed between knowledge and practice (r = 0.392, P < 0.001) as well as between attitude and practice (r = 0.319, P < 0.001). Age [OR = 0.29 (0.09, 0.91), P = 0.034], marital status [OR = 2.11 (1.04, 4.29), P = 0.038], income [OR = 2.42 (1.23, 4.75), P = 0.010], and physical condition [OR = 0.45 (0.24, 0.85), P = 0.014] were independent factors associated with KAP scores.

CONCLUSIONS

WeChat users in China had relatively adequate knowledge and positive attitudes towards health-related public accounts. The findings highlight the potential of WeChat in enhancing health information dissemination in China.

The Impact of Social Media on Medical Education and Health-care Communication

Introduction: The current era is characterized by the prevalence of tweets, hashtags, blogs, postings, and reels. Social media has become an indispensable component of our everyday existence. In the current era of digital technology, where media devices and Internet connectivity are ubiquitous, social media has fundamentally transformed the manner in which we communicate, acquire knowledge, and obtain information. The widespread impact of platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube goes beyond social interactions and has a crucial role in the dissemination of medical knowledge, communication among health-care professionals, and sharing of public health information. This editorial examines the significant effects of social media on medical education and health-care communication, emphasizing the potential advantages and difficulties it brings. Impact of Social Media in Medical Education: The utilization of social media platforms as teaching tools in medical education has introduced a new era of easy access and interactive learning. Research conducted by Curran et al. and Ohara has emphasized the significant impact of platforms such as YouTube in making medical knowledge more accessible to a wider audience, hence promoting democratization [1, 2]. Social media improves accessibility for learners globally by providing a wide range of educational content, including lectures, tutorials, case studies, and surgical demonstrations. Educational content is not restricted to classrooms or specific timeframes; it is accessible with a simple click of a button. Furthermore, social media promotes interactive learning experiences by allowing active participation. By utilizing discussion forums, live streaming, and virtual communities, this interactive participation not only improves the retention of knowledge but also fosters a sense of community and camaraderie in the field of medical education. Another notable benefit of social media in medical education is its ability to facilitate global collaboration. Individuals from diverse geographical locations can establish connections, exchange knowledge, and cooperate on research endeavors. This worldwide network enhances the educational experience by introducing learners to a wide range of viewpoints and methods. An example of how social media has contributed to medical education is the emergence of the Free Open Access Meducation (FOAMed) movement. FOAMed utilizes social media platforms to deliver complimentary, top-notch training material to medical practitioners globally. The OrthoTV (YouTube) channel is another bright example of orthopedic teaching, training, and knowledge dissemination. This movement has cultivated a cooperative educational atmosphere in which information is freely exchanged, promoting ongoing professional growth and lifetime learning. Health Communication in the Digital Age: Social media has become a potent tool in the field of health-care communication, allowing for the effective distribution of information, active interaction with patients, and the fight against false or misleading information. Social media platforms offer a potent method of spreading health information to a wide audience, enabling people to gain knowledge about diseases, treatments, and preventive actions. Utilizing educational videos, infographics, live question-and-answer sessions, and webinars can effectively simplify intricate medical information, making it more accessible and captivating. This, in turn, improves patient education and involvement. Chen and Wang highlight the significance of social media platforms in supporting health promotion programs, disease awareness initiatives, and public health advocacy efforts [3]. An exceptional increase in social media usage during the COVID-19 pandemic is particularly remarkable, as demonstrated by studies such as Katz and Nandi [4]. Health-care organizations utilize social media channels such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to provide up-to-date information, dispel false beliefs, and encourage vaccination efforts, so promoting well-informed decision-making and building public confidence. Public health campaigns have utilized social media to efficiently and expeditiously reach vast audiences. Social media has been effectively utilized to rapidly disseminate crucial messages such as immunization, smoking cessation, disease prevention, healthy lifestyles, and yoga campaigns. Risks and Concerns: The incorporation and utilization of social media in medical education and health-care communication present certain difficulties. Ventola examines the inherent dangers linked to the utilization of social media by health-care professionals, such as the unauthorized disclosure of patient information, unprofessional behavior, and violations of regulations [5]. In addition, research such as the study conducted by Wang et al. highlights the concerning proliferation of false or misleading health information on social media platforms [6]. This poses substantial risks to public health and the safety of patients. The proliferation of false and misleading information can result in widespread public misunderstanding and pose threats to public health. Spreading inaccurate information regarding treatments, vaccines, and health practices has the potential to erode public confidence in health-care systems. The study conducted by Majerczak and Strzelecki emphasizes the influence of media credibility and social connections on individuals’ inclination to share information [7]. It underscores the significance of critical thinking abilities and digital literacy in effectively navigating social media content. Although social media offers a vast amount of information, verifying its accuracy continues to be a difficult task. Health-care providers are responsible for carefully assessing sources and directing patients toward trustworthy information. Health-care providers must exercise caution while using these sites, ensuring they maintain professional boundaries and comply with privacy requirements. Emerging Trends and Future Directions: Notwithstanding these numerous obstacles, the field of social media in medical education and health-care communication is still progressing quickly, bringing up novel trends and possibilities. Dwivedi et al. present a comprehensive overview of new research ideas in the field of digital and social media marketing, highlighting the need of multidisciplinary cooperation and the use of inventive approaches [8]. Arnold et al. discuss methods for managing excessive information and improving information management abilities in the digital era [9]. Furthermore, the convergence of social media with issues related to privacy (Jozani et al.) and the impact on mental health (Harren et al.) highlights the significance of embracing a comprehensive strategy for engaging with social media [10, 11]. As people use health-care apps on social media, it is crucial to find a balance between the advantages of being connected and having access to information, and the concerns about privacy, security, and digital well-being. Medical institutions should integrate digital literacy into their courses, providing medical students with the ability to assess internet material in a discerning manner. Healthcare providers and organizations should create strong plans for handling their social media presence, guaranteeing the accurate spread of information while protecting privacy. Conclusion: Overall, social media has a complex and diverse influence on medical education and health-care communication, involving many advantages, disadvantages, and developing patterns. Although social media provides exceptional prospects for accessibility, engagement, and communication, it also presents issues in terms of privacy, misinformation, and digital well-being. By doing a thorough assessment of the impact of social media in these areas and implementing evidence-based strategies, stakeholders may harness its ability to bring about significant change while also protecting against any drawbacks. As we explore the changing environment of social media in healthcare, it is crucial to prioritize cooperation, creativity, and ethical contemplation to shape a future that is well-informed and empowered. By utilizing social media, we can leverage its potential to enhance medical education and facilitate communication in the health-care field. This will ultimately lead to better health outcomes and promote a more knowledgeable and involved public.

How do perceptions of information usefulness and green trust influence intentions toward eco-friendly purchases in a social media context?

Drawing upon the stimulus-organism-response framework and incorporating green trust and perceptions of information usefulness, we formulated a model to explore how marketing on social media impacts consumers' intentions towards eco-friendly purchases, using eastern Chinese cities as a case study. The findings indicate that: (1) marketing on social media significantly boosts intentions for eco-friendly purchases, and green trust positively affects the perceptions of information usefulness. (2) Green trust and perceptions of information usefulness jointly act as mediators between social media marketing and eco-friendly purchase intentions, with green trust exhibiting a stronger effect (0.306 > 0.122). The multi-group analysis findings indicate significant disparities in several potential pathways as a result of moderating factors such as educational attainment, etc. The benefits are especially apparent in women, people with middle to high incomes, people with intermediate to high levels of education, and people who engage with social media for over three hours per day. Through the effect analysis between marketing on social media, green trust, and perceptions of information usefulness on consumers' intentions towards eco-friendly purchases, this study offers insights to social media platforms, businesses, and policymakers, enabling them to enhance strategies for fostering eco-friendly consumer behavior through social media channels.

Leveraging Generative Artificial Intelligence Models in Patient Education on Inferior Vena Cava Filters

Background: Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) filters have become an advantageous treatment modality for patients with venous thromboembolism. As the use of these filters continues to grow, it is imperative for providers to appropriately educate patients in a comprehensive yet understandable manner. Likewise, generative artificial intelligence models are a growing tool in patient education, but there is little understanding of the readability of these tools on IVC filters. Methods: This study aimed to determine the Flesch Reading Ease (FRE), Flesch-Kincaid, and Gunning Fog readability of IVC Filter patient educational materials generated by these artificial intelligence models. Results: The ChatGPT cohort had the highest mean Gunning Fog score at 17.76 ± 1.62 and the lowest at 11.58 ± 1.55 among the Copilot cohort. The difference between groups for Flesch Reading Ease scores (p = 8.70408 × 10-8) was found to be statistically significant albeit with priori power found to be low at 0.392. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that the answers generated by the Microsoft Copilot cohort offers a greater degree of readability compared to ChatGPT cohort regarding IVC filters. Nevertheless, the mean Flesch-Kincaid readability for both cohorts does not meet the recommended U.S. grade reading levels.

Social media information and its association with the adoption of COVID-19 preventive measures in four Latin American countries

Objective

The study aimed to assess the association between adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures and access to media information related to COVID-19.

Methods

A multi-country, cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted from June to December 2020. The sample included 1,457 participants from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico. The outcome variable was self-reported adherence to preventive measures (handwashing, social distancing, self-isolation, use of face masks, and working from home). The explanatory variable was self-report of following media information related to COVID-19 (watching or reading the news, following social media coverage). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the associations.

Results

Following information on social media was positively associated with higher odds of practicing social distancing (AOR=5.39; 95%CI: 3.93-7.30), self-isolation (AOR=1.44; 95%CI: 1.08-1.92), use of face masks (AOR=16.84; 95%CI: 10.03-28.27), handwashing (AOR=6.95; CI 95%: 4.98-9.71), and working from home (AOR=1.85; 95% CI: 1.43-2.41). Differences in the use of social media for COVID-19 information were observed among the four countries.

Conclusion

Following social media was positively associated with adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures in Latin America. Social media may be effectively used for COVID-19 behaviour modification in Latin America.

Source Credibility Theory: SME Hospitality Sector Blog Posting During the Covid-19 Pandemic

During the recent Covid-19 pandemic SMEs in the hospitality sector had to develop new ways of increasing consumer engagement and maintaining business activity. This study examines the effect of using blogs to counter the detrimental effect of pandemic lockdowns. A survey method was deployed with 449 respondents. Analysis used SEM PLS. The findings show trustworthiness and reputation positively affects credibility, but promotional incentives and expertise do not affect credibility. The findings also suggest that unverified information sharing mediates the relationship between credibility and loyalty. Information System (IS) researchers can systematically develop approach using big data to identify false information. This research contributes to knowledge of both IS researchers and SMEs in hospitality sector. SMEs in hospitality sector can partner IS and use this research as an example of method for recovering from crisis by the adoption of blog posts, as well as working remotely with IS researchers to explore data sources and research techniques to investigate false information.

The Mediation Effects of Social Media Usage and Sharing Fake News about Companies

Trust in social media information is gaining in importance and relevance for both companies and individuals as nowadays contemporary society is confronted with a wave of fake news about daily life situations, brands, organizations, etc. As it becomes more difficult to accurately assess social media information and to determine its origin or source, as well as to be able to double-check information spread across different Social Networking Sites (SNS), businesses must understand how individuals' perceived control, concentration, and time distortion enhances the social media usage, thus allowing them to correctly assess online information. Therefore, the scope of the paper is to assess, based on a conceptual model, the antecedents of trust in online information about companies by considering users' perceived control, concentration, and time distortion, while browsing social media networks and sharing fake news about companies in SNS. With the help of an online survey, data was collected from social media users, later being analysed with SmartPLS. The findings suggest that social media usage and sharing of fake news mediate the relationship between users' perceived control, concentration, and time distortion (i.e., flow characteristics) and trust in online information about companies.