Understanding the Composition of a Successful Tweet in Urology

Attention-Seeking Strategies: An Investigation of Sexual Assault Organizations' Communication Tactics on Twitter

This study examines the attention-seeking strategies of sexual assault organizations on Twitter in Canada, exploring the factors influencing the level of attention received. Drawing on the foundation work of Guo and Saxon's four-factor explanatory model, the research extends and refines the model by incorporating new factors, including Covid-related content, network size, intended audience, direct services, donations, and visual content. The study's methodology involved sampling 124 sexual assault and rape crisis centers in Canada, collecting Twitter data (n = 320,836 Tweets up to April 2023), and employing ordinary least squares and fixed effect regression analysis. Results showed significant relationships between these factors and attention received, providing insights for both theoretical understanding and practical guidance.

Tweeting about fatphobia and body shaming: A retrospective infodemiological study

BACKGROUND

We aimed to analyze reactions to tweets that employed weight-based discrimination terms and to compare them to others posted by the same users on X (formerly Twitter).

METHODS

We collected tweets featuring weight-based discrimination terms (the study group) and created a control group by randomly selecting up to five tweets from each account that did not mention any such terms. Descriptive statistics, sentiment analysis, and logistic regression modeling were used to compare the numbers of likes and retweets of the study and control groups, and to understand the emotions associated with these tweets.

RESULTS

Our analysis included 22,075 study group tweets and 50,341 control group tweets. Sentiment analysis was conducted on 41,403 (57.2%) tweets, with 65.7% of the study group tweets being found to contain negative sentiments. The study group had a higher median of likes (1 [0-4]) and retweets (0 [0-0]) than the control group (1 [0-2] and 0 [0-0], respectively, with the study group obtaining higher mean ranks in both comparisons, P < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that tweets using weight-based discrimination terms gained more likes (OR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.16-1.28) and retweets (OR = 1.61; 95% CI: 1.49-1.74), independent of, for example, verification status, follower count, year and season of the tweet, and emotional expression of the tweet.

CONCLUSIONS

Tweets concerning fatphobia, body shaming, and similar terms gain more reactions than others posted by the same accounts.

[Large language models in science]

OBJECTIVE

Large language models (LLMs) are gaining popularity due to their ability to communicate in a human-like manner. Their potential for science, including urology, is increasingly recognized. However, unresolved concerns regarding transparency, accountability, and the accuracy of LLM results still exist.

RESEARCH QUESTION

This review examines the ethical, technical, and practical challenges as well as the potential applications of LLMs in urology and science.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A selective literature review was conducted to analyze current findings and developments in the field of LLMs. The review considered studies on technical aspects, ethical considerations, and practical applications in research and practice.

RESULTS

LLMs, such as GPT from OpenAI and Gemini from Google, show great potential for processing and analyzing text data. Applications in urology include creating patient information and supporting administrative tasks. However, for purely clinical and scientific questions, the methods do not yet seem mature. Currently, concerns about ethical issues and the accuracy of results persist.

CONCLUSION

LLMs have the potential to support research and practice through efficient data processing and information provision. Despite their advantages, ethical concerns and technical challenges must be addressed to ensure responsible and trustworthy use. Increased implementation could reduce the workload of urologists and improve communication with patients.

Marketing yourself in social media as a global health organization: lessons to be learned

PURPOSE

To evaluate whether X, formerly known as Twitter, is being used effectively to advance the goals of International Volunteers in Urology (IVUmed). How is X activity associated with end-user engagement?

METHODS

Monthly analytics of the X account @IVUmed were reviewed between September 2014 and November 2022 using https://analytics.twitter.com/ . Outcomes included tweets, mentions, impressions, engagements, interactions, followers, and profile visits. Statistical analysis using Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman's rank-order correlation was performed. Top tweet content between December 2020 and November 2022 was also analyzed and assigned one of seven different categories: research, workshops, mission statement, educational materials, fundraising, individual spotlight, and other.

RESULTS

Of @IVUmed's 1668 followers, 1334 (80.0%) were individuals. One thousand one hundred twenty-six (84.4%) individuals listed their locations with the majority (79.8%) residing in high-income countries. Tweet impressions have increased over time; they were significantly higher (p < 0.01) on average after the onset of COVID-19 in March 2020. From December 2020 to November 2022, new followers were positively correlated with tweet impressions (p < 0.01), total mentions (p < 0.01), and profile visits (p < 0.01). Profile visits were positively correlated with total tweets (p < 0.01). The content categories for monthly top tweets that proportionally garnered the most engagements were workshops (50%) and individual spotlight (29%), despite not being the most tweeted about content categories.

CONCLUSION

Non-profit organizations wishing to increase their web-based outreach can benefit from increased primary X activity. While not evaluated in this study, it may also improve fundraising capabilities. Nevertheless, periodic review of account activity is important to ensure engagement of the targeted audience.

Video Consensus and Radical Prostatectomy: The Way to Chase the Future?

In the age of information, new platforms are consulted by patients to acquire consciousness about medical treatments. The aim of this study was to assess the level of understanding and feasibility of video consensus (VC) administration in patients scheduled for radical prostatectomy (RP), comparing it with standard informed consensus (SIC). According to the European Association of Urology Patient Information, we set up a video content for RP that was translated in Italian and implemented with information about possible perioperative and postoperative complications, days of hospitalization etc. From 2021 to 2022, all patients undergoing RP at our institution were prospectively included in this study. Patients received an SIC and after that, a VC about RP. After two consensuses were administered, patients received a preformed Likert 10 scale and STAI questionnaires. On the RP dataset, 276 patients were selected and 552 questionnaires for both SIC and VC were evaluated. Out of these, the median age was 62 years (IQR 60-65). Patients reported a higher overall satisfaction for VC (8.8/10) compared to the traditional informed consent (6.9/10). Therefore, VC may play a role in the future of surgery, improving the consciousness and satisfaction of patients and reducing preoperative anxiety.

Perspectives of Residency Applicants and Program Directors on the Role of Social Media in the 2021 Urology Residency Match

OBJECTIVES

To perform a survey assessing the use of, attitudes towards, and perceived utility of social media (SoMe) in the 2021 urology residency match.

METHODS

We distributed surveys to urology residency applicants and program directors (PDs) via the Urology Match 2021 Google Spreadsheet and email. The survey collected demographic information as well as SoMe activity, perceived pressure to use SoMe, match results, and attitudes regarding the utility of SoMe in the match process.

RESULTS

A total of 108/528 (20%) applicants registered for the 2021 match and 61/142 (43%) PDs completed the survey. More applicants than PDs felt that SoMe helped them gain better insight into residency programs or applicants, respectively. Fewer applicants than PDs felt that SoMe activity provided a benefit to them in the match process. No significant relationship was found between SoMe viewing frequency, posting frequency, or tweetorial use with match outcomes. The majority of PDs believed that SoMe played a more important role in the 2021 match process than previous years while 15% and 12% reported that an applicant's SoMe activity helped or hurt the chances of matching to their program respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

SoMe, particularly Twitter, was widely used in the 2021 match by both applicants and PDs. A majority of applicants and PDs believed that SoMe use aided them in some way in the match process, yet there was no relationship between the volume or type of applicant SoMe activity and match outcomes.

A Systematic Review of the Use of Social Media for Dissemination of Clinical Practice Guidelines

CONTEXT

Clinical practice guideline (CPG) uptake does not occur spontaneously and requires active implementation, especially for long-term implementation. Social media (SoMe) with its power of rapid and global information exchange among physicians, patients, organizations, and stakeholders in the medical field can open up unprecedented opportunities for CPG dissemination.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this review was to assess the current use of SoMe in CPG dissemination across different medical specialties.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A systematic review (SR) of the literature was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases and the general platform Google were searched for all relevant publications (no limitation for publication time and no language restrictions). The search revealed 1881 citations; following title and abstract review, 22 studies were identified; and five studies were finally included after full-text review.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

All included studies were published in the past 5 yr; there was a significant improvement in knowledge, awareness, compliance, and positive behavior toward CPGs with the use of SoMe dissemination compared with traditional methods. A large audience (healthcare professionals and patients) viewed and engaged with the SoMe process of CPG dissemination, and expressed an intent to engage in this method in the future. The studies included in the SR reported variable methods of SoMe use and similarly variable methods of analyzing the outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Owing to the recent application of SoMe in the context of CPG dissemination, there is no standardized format for its use, and the data available are variable and limited. However, encouraging preliminary results have been reported using SoMe for CPG dissemination in multiple fields, and we have provided a pragmatic method of SoMe usage in CPG dissemination based on the review. It is vital to ensure a uniform method of application and assessment of SoMe use in CPG dissemination and implementation going forward.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Social media (SoMe) plays an important role in rapid and global information exchange among physicians, patients, organizations, and stakeholders in the medical field, and its power can be harnessed in the dissemination of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) that guide clinicians in practice. Our review reveals that SoMe use for CPG dissemination is a relatively new concept published approximately 5 yr ago, and it has led to significant improvement in knowledge, awareness, compliance, and positive behavior with respect to the CPGs compared with traditional methods. A large audience (healthcare professionals and patients) viewed and engaged with the SoMe process. We have produced a pragmatic method of using SoMe in CPG dissemination. Considering the importance of CPGs in practice and the ever increasing role of SoMe in the medical profession, a new role for SoMe in CPG dissemination could be established.