Who's Posting What? A Qualitative, Cross-Sectional Study Comparing Twitter and Instagram Patterns Between Health Care Professionals and Patients. Issue 8 (8th August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dzienny, Alexa C.; Toal, Coralee T.; Fitzgerald, Jocelyn J.; Carter-Brooks, Charelle M.
• Is Part Of: Urogynecology. Volume 28:Issue 8(2022)
• Page Start: 492
• Page End: 499
• Publication Date: 2022-08-08
• Subjects: social media -- urogynecology -- patient education; Pelvis -- Diseases; Pelvis -- Surgery; Urogynecology; Urogynecologic surgery; 616.6
• DOI: 10.1097/SPV.0000000000001206
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2771-1897

Abstract

Abstract : Importance: There is a paucity of evidence-based, physician-authored content available on social media. Data are lacking on physicians use of social media, including intended audience and content. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the patterns of Twitter and Instagram use for popular urogynecology hashtags between physicians, patients, and allied health professionals (AHPs). Study Design: Twelve hashtags derived from the Urogynecology Tag Ontology project were used as search terms to select Twitter and Instagram posts. Up to 5 top posts per hashtag per author type (physician, patient, or AHP) were included. Posts were analyzed using Dedoose qualitative analytic software by author, hashtag, intended audience, and themes. Results: On Twitter, 109 posts met inclusion criteria: 41% written by physicians, 40% patients, and 18.3% AHPs. For Instagram, 72 posts were included: 50% written by patients, 39% AHPs, and 11% physicians. Twitter physician posts were mainly intended for health professionals (64%) with only 18% for patients. Patients posted to the general public (57%) and patients (36%). Instagram physician posts were intended for health professionals (49%), whereas 62% of AHPs posted to patients. Most patient posts were directed to other patients (90%). Physicians posted about academic peer discussions, medical education, and advocacy. Patients posted about personal experiences, treatments, or dissatisfaction. Conclusions: Physicians are more likely to post on Twitter than Instagram, with content focused primarily on their peer group, and physicians/patients are unlikely to engage with each other. There is an opportunity to improve social media interactions between physicians and the public while increasing high-quality patient education.