Social Media and the Patient - on Education and Empowerment

Publication activity trends in the field of social media in rheumatology: a Web of Science-based bibliometric analysis

Social media (SoMe) is crucial in disseminating information and raising awareness about health conditions. In recent years, rheumatology specialists have increasingly utilized social networks to support and promote scientific research. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of global social media and rheumatology trends, identifying leading authors, citation patterns, and emerging research areas. The analysis used data exported from Web of Science (WoS) from 2015 to 2024. The search used MeSH-derived keywords, specifically "social media rheumatology," without applying filters, covering January 2015 to December 2024 timeframe. A comprehensive search resulted in retrieving 251 publications. After ranking these publications and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 152 articles were included in the final analysis. A total of 152 publications were analyzed, revealing a significant positive trend in the number of publications over time (p = 0.001). The leading countries in terms of publication activity were the US (35.53%), the United Kingdom (32.24%), Australia (11.18%), Germany (9.87%), and France (9.21%). The research originated from 66 countries, but only 18 demonstrated substantial activity. The US led in scientific contributions relative to population and Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Regarding publication types, 137 (90.13%) were original research articles, while the remainder were review articles. The median citation count for original articles was 5 (range: 0-116), while review articles had a higher median citation count of 28 (range: 0-156), indicating that reviews were cited more frequently than original studies (p = 0.001). The median citation count for publications indexed in SCIE, SSCI, and ESCI was 5.5 (range: 0-116) and 6 (range: 0-116), respectively. Most publications were published in the following journals: Clinical Rheumatology (n = 25), Rheumatology Advances in Practice (n = 25), Rheumatology International (n = 16), BMJ Open (n = 12) and Journal of Medical Internet Research (n = 8). High-income countries, such as the US, the United Kingdom, and Australia, have significantly contributed to the field of social medicine in rheumatology, underscoring disparities in scientific research capacity across different regions.

Social media as a source of information for patients with knee osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a chronic, disabling condition without a definitive cure, and current management strategies prioritize symptom relief and slowing disease progression rather than addressing the underlying cause. Therefore, KOA patients turn to social media (SM) in the hope of finding a solution or a treatment to relieve their pain. The main goal of this study was to explore the prevalence of information sought by KOA patients on SM and to determine factors associated with its use.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included adult patients followed in our rheumatology department for KOA according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria for > 3 months. All patients underwent a standardized questionnaire-based interview covering their sociodemographic and clinical data, including age, level of education, body mass index, disease duration, and the presence of comorbidities. Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). We used the Lequesne index for KOA to assess functional impairment, and the Kellgren and Lawrence classification to assess the severity of KOA. We utilized the Trust in Physician Scale (TPS) to measure patients' trust in their physicians. In contrast, the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ)-Specific Concerns subscale assessed patients' concerns about prescribed medication. Psychosocial risk factors were assessed using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), and the Patient Health Questionnaire for depression (PHQ-9).

RESULTS

A total of 178 patients were included, with an average age of 58 ± 9,915 years and a female predominance (88,2%). The average progression period of KOA was around 3 years [1; 8,5] and the median pain score on the VAS was 4,79 ± 2,214. A third of KOA patients turned to SM for health information, mainly YouTube. While 17% trusted the content, a comparable 10% shared it with their doctors. The main factors associated with SM use were younger age, higher level of education, and higher pain catastrophizing.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the significant potential of SM platforms for KOA patients, whether it's enhancing their education and awareness, fostering peer support and community connections, or enabling better communication and remote monitoring with healthcare providers.

Social media in advancing equity and collaboration in rheumatology: the CORDIALITY review

Social media has transformed communication in academia and medicine, offering stakeholders innovative avenues for knowledge exchange and collaboration. The CORDIALITY review (soCial media fOR aDvancing equIty And coLlaboration In rheumaTologY) examines the impact of social media on education and information dissemination, patient education and empowerment, networking and mentorship, and research collaboration within rheumatology, when effectively used. In this narrative review, we consider the opportunities as well as the challenges related to each of these facets of social media use. With a focus on inequities faced globally, we give particular consideration to disparities by gender as they relate to the rheumatology workforce, and issues pertaining to lower-income and middle-income countries such as limitations of digital access and digital literacy. To maximise the potential of social media in rheumatology, we propose a strategic framework that encourages innovation, responsible practices and support from rheumatology organisations.

Connecting Health and Technology: A Comprehensive Review of Social Media and Online Communities in Healthcare

This review provides an in-depth analysis of the intersection between health and technology, focusing specifically on social media's and online communities' role in healthcare. It explores the significance of these digital platforms in patient education, empowerment, and support, highlighting their potential to improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. Key findings are synthesized by examining existing literature, including the wide-reaching impact of social media on health information dissemination and the value of online communities in facilitating peer support. However, privacy concerns and misinformation are also addressed, emphasizing the need for careful consideration and strategic implementation of these technologies. The implications for healthcare practice and research are discussed, with recommendations for future actions and priorities outlined. Overall, this review underscores the transformative potential of social media and online communities in reshaping the healthcare landscape. It also highlights the importance of ethical and responsible use to maximize benefits.

Multifaceted Role of Social Media in Healthcare: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Need for Quality Control

Social media, leveraging Web 2.0 technologies, plays a vital role in healthcare, medical education, and research by fostering collaboration and enabling research dissemination. Healthcare professionals use these platforms to improve public health literacy, but concerns about misinformation and content accuracy persist. In 2023, platforms like Facebook (Meta Platforms, Inc., Menlo Park, California, United States), YouTube (Google LLC, Mountain View, California, United States), Instagram (Meta Platforms, Inc.), TikTok (ByteDance Ltd, Beijing, China), and Twitter (X Corp., Carson City, Nevada, United States) have become essential in healthcare, offering patient communication, professional development, and knowledge-sharing opportunities. However, challenges such as breaches of patient confidentiality and unprofessional conduct remain. Social media has transformed medical education, providing unique networking and professional development opportunities. Further studies are needed to determine its educational value. Healthcare professionals must follow ethical and professional guidelines, particularly regarding patient privacy, confidentiality, disclosure rules, and copyright laws. Social media significantly impacts patient education and healthcare research. Platforms like WhatsApp (Meta Platforms, Inc.) effectively improve patient compliance and outcomes. Yet, the rapid dissemination of false news and misinformation on social media platforms presents risks. Researchers must consider potential biases and content quality when extracting data. Quality control and regulation are crucial in addressing potential dangers and misinformation in social media and healthcare. Stricter regulations and monitoring are needed due to cases of deaths resulting from social media trends and false news spread. Ethical frameworks, informed consent practices, risk assessments, and appropriate data management strategies are essential for responsible research using social media technologies. Healthcare professionals and researchers must judiciously use social media, considering its risks to maximize benefits and mitigate potential drawbacks. By striking the right balance, healthcare professionals can enhance patient outcomes, medical education, research, and the overall healthcare experience.