Brain Tumor Discussions on Twitter (#BTSM): Social Network Analysis

Navigating the asthma network on Twitter: Insights from social network and sentiment analysis

Background

Asthma is a condition in which the airways become inflamed and constricted, causing breathing difficulties, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness. Social networks can have a substantial effect on asthma management and results. However, no studies of social networks addressing asthma have been undertaken.

Objective

The aim of this research was to identify the significant social network structures, key influencers, top topics, and sentiments of asthma-related Twitter conversations.

Methods

All the tweets collected for this study included the keyword "asthma" or were mentioned in or in replies to tweets that were performed. For this study, a random sample of Twitter data was collected using NodeXL Pro software between December 1, 2022, and January 29, 2023. The data collected includes the user's display name, Twitter handle, tweet text, and the tweet's publishing date and time. After being imported into the Gephi application, the NodeXL data were then shown using the Fruchterman-Reingold layout method. In our study, SNA (Social Network Analysis) metrics were utilized to identify the most popular subject using hashtags, sentiment-related phrases (positive, negative, or neutral), and top influencer by centrality measures (degree, betweenness).

Results

The study collected 48,122 tweets containing the keyword "asthma" or mentioned in replies. News reporters and journalists emerged as top influencers based on centrality measures in Twitter conversations about asthma, followed by government and healthcare institutions. Education, trigger factors (e.g., cat exposure, diet), and associated conditions were highly discussed topics on asthma-related social media posts (e.g., sarscov2, copd). Our study's sentiment analysis revealed that there were 8427 phrases associated neutral comments (18%), 12,582 words reflecting positive viewpoints (26%), and 27,111 words reflecting negative opinions (56%).

Conclusion

This study investigates the relevance of social media influencers, news reporters, health experts, health organizations, and the government in the dissemination and promotion of asthma-related education and awareness during public health information.

The assessment of Twitter discourse on the new COVID-19 variant, XBB.1.5, through social network analysis

Background

XBB.1.5 is a new subvariant of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant with increased transmissibility and immune escape potential. Twitter has been used to share information and assess this subvariant.

Objectives

This study aims to investigate the channel graph, key influencers, top sources, most trends, and pattern discussion, as well as sentiment measures related to Covid-19 XBB.1.5 variant, by using social network analysis (SNA).

Methods

This experiment involved the collection of Twitter data through the keywords, "XBB.1.5″, and NodeXL, with the obtained information subsequently cleaned to remove duplication and irrelevant tweets. SNA was also performed by using analytical metrics to identify influential users and understand the patterns of connectivity among those discussing XBB.1.5. on Twitter. Moreover, the results were visualized through Gephi software, with sentiment analysis performed by using Azure Machine Learning to categorize tweets into three categories, namely positive, negative, and neutral.

Results

A total of 43,394 XBB.1.5-based tweets were identified, with five key users observed with the highest betweenness centrality score (BCS), namely "ojimakohei"(red), mikito_777 (blue), "nagunagumomo" (green), "erictopol" (orange), w2skwn3 (yellow). The other hand, the in-degree, out-degree, betweenness, closeness, and eigenvector centrality scores of the top 10 Twitter users to explain various patterns and trends and "ojimakohei" was highly central in the network. Most of the top domains (sources) used in XBB.1.5 discourse originated from Twitter, Japanese websites (co.jp and or.jp), and scientific analysis links (biorxiv.org and cdc.gov). This analysis indicated that most of the tweets (61.35 %) were positively classified, accompanied by neutral (22.44 %) and negative (16.20 %) sentiments.

Conclusion

Japan was actively engaged in evaluating the XBB.1.5 variant, with influential users playing a crucial role. The preference for sharing verified sources and the positive sentiment demonstrated a commitment to health awareness. We recommend fostering collaborations between health organizations, the government, and Twitter influencers to address COVID-19-related misinformation and its variants.

Social media insights for neurosurgical oncologists: a survey of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons Joint Section on Tumors

PURPOSE

There is a paucity in the literature regarding the characteristics and attitudes of social media (SM) utilization in a professional manner by neurosurgical oncologists.

METHODS

A 34-question electronic survey was created using Google Forms and disseminated via email to members of the AANS/CNS Joint Section on Tumors. Demographic data were compared amongst those who utilize social media versus those who do not. Factors associated with positive effects of professional SM use and with having more followers on SM were analyzed.

RESULTS

The survey received 94 responses, of which 64.9% reported that they currently use SM in a professional manner. Age < 50 years was found to be associated with SM use (p = 0.038). Facebook (54.1%), Twitter (60.7%), Instagram (41%), and LinkedIn (60.7%) were the most used SM platforms. Having a higher number of followers was associated with practicing in academics (p = 0.005), using Twitter (p = 0.013), posting about their own research publications (p = 0.018), posting interesting cases (p = 0.022), and posting about upcoming events (p = 0.001). Having a higher number of followers on SM was also associated with positive effects, specifically new patient referrals (p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Neurosurgical oncologists can benefit by using social media professionally for increased patient engagement and networking within the medical community. Practicing in academics, making use of Twitter, and posting about interesting cases, upcoming academic events, and one's own research publications can help gain followers. In addition, having a large following on social media could lead to positive effects such as new patient referrals.

A systematic review of the available literature on the use of social media in brain tumor

Purpose

The use of social media is one of the new technological options that has been recommended as a potential new strategy for delivering high-quality, high-value cancer prevention and management services. Despite the increasing use of social media, little research has been done on the use of social media in brain tumors. Therefore, this systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive review of the use of social media in brain tumor research.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science from inception to August 1, 2022. English full-text articles evaluating social media use, benefit or content in brain tumor were considered.

Findings

Sixteen documents satisfied the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. Most of the included studies (n = 11/16) were conducted and published by researchers in the USA. In terms of social media platform, most studies focused on Twitter (8/16, 50%) and YouTube (8/16, 50%), followed by Facebook (6/16, 37.5%) and Instagram (4/16, 25%). Most studies (n = 7/12) analyzed the content of brain tumor information provided on social media, followed by patients’ use of social media (n = 3/12) and the quality of information on social media (n = 3/12). The other three articles also examined patient recruitment, crowdfunding and caregiver use of social media.

Practical implications

By identifying the use, benefits and content of social media platforms in different settings, patients, clinicians and policymakers can better benefit from harnessing the power of social media in different ways, leading to improved health-care services.

Originality/value

To the authors knowledge, this is the first study to systematically examine social media use, benefits and content status in brain tumors.

An Examination of Patients and Caregivers on Reddit Navigating Brain Cancer: Content Analysis of the Brain Tumor Subreddit

BACKGROUND

Occurring in up to 40% of all patients with cancer, the incidence of brain tumors has caused limited survival, a high psychosocial burden, and an increase in the loss of decision-making capability for the unique population. Although specific symptoms depend on the type of brain tumor, a clinical team of physicians, nurses, and other individuals commonly assist patients and their caregivers with how to tackle the upcoming challenges of their diagnosis. Despite the support from clinical team members, many patients and caregivers may still seek outside support through social media to process their emotions and seek comfort outside of the clinical setting. Specifically, online resources such as Reddit are used where users are provided with the anonymity they need to show their true behavior without fear of judgment. In this study, we aimed to examine trends from Reddit discussion threads on brain tumors to identify areas of need in patient care.

OBJECTIVE

Our primary aims were to determine the type of Reddit user posting, classify the specific brain tumors that were the subject of the posts, and examine the content of the original posts.

METHODS

We used a qualitative descriptive design to understand patients' and caregivers' unmet and met needs. We selected posts from the top-rated 100 posts from the r/braincancer subreddit from February 2017 to June 2020 to identify common themes using content analysis.

RESULTS

The qualitative content analysis revealed how Reddit users primarily used the forum as a method to understand and process the emotions surrounding a brain tumor diagnosis. Three major topic areas from content analysis emerged as prominent themes, including (1) harnessing hope, (2) moving through the grief process, and (3) expressing gratitude toward other Reddit users. Most of the authors of the posts were patients with brain tumors (32/88, 36%) who used Reddit as a reflective journaling tool to process the associated emotions of a challenging diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows the potential of Reddit to serve as a unique group therapy platform for patients affected by brain tumors. Our results highlight the support provided by the Reddit community members as a unique mechanism to assist cancer survivors and caregivers with the emotional processing of living with brain tumors. Additionally, the results highlight the importance of recommending Reddit as a therapeutic virtual community and the need for implementing online resources as a part of a health care professional's repertoire to understand the level of support they can give their patients.

Patients Are Knowledge Workers in the Clinical Information Space

BACKGROUND

Limited research exists on patient knowledge/cognition or "getting inside patients' heads." Because patients possess unique and privileged knowledge, clinicians need this information to make patient-centered and coordinated treatment planning decisions. To achieve patient-centered care, we characterize patient knowledge and contributions to the clinical information space.

METHODS AND OBJECTIVES

In a theoretical overview, we explore the relevance of patient knowledge to care provision, apply historical perspectives of knowledge acquisition to patient knowledge, propose a representation of patient knowledge types across the continuum of care, and include illustrative vignettes about Mr. Jones. We highlight how the field of human factors (a core competency of health informatics) provides a perspective and methods for eliciting and characterizing patient knowledge.

CONCLUSION

Patients play a vital role in the clinical information space by possessing and sharing unique knowledge relevant to the clinical picture. Without a patient's contributions, the clinical picture of the patient is incomplete. A human factors perspective informs patient-centered care and health information technology solutions to support clinical information sharing.