Social media platforms, particularly Twitter (X), play an important role in healthcare communication by sharing information and personal disease experiences. We investigated glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) posting behaviors on Twitter by comparing patient and informal caregiver tweets to healthcare professional tweets.

Using Keyhole, a third-party analytics tool, we analyzed 1,639 tweets containing the keyword "#glioblastoma" from January 1 to December 31, 2023. Users were categorized as patients, informal caregivers, or healthcare professionals. We employed Generalized Estimating Equation models and multinomial distributions to compare sentiment, thematic, and frequency engagement patterns across stakeholder groups.

Informal caregivers produced the slight majority of tweets (51.6%), followed by healthcare professionals (39.0%). Informal caregivers expressed significantly more negative sentiments (relative to neutral ones) than healthcare professionals (p < 0.001). Thematic analysis revealed that patients (p < 0.001) and informal caregivers (p < 0.001) engaged in more emotional support than healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals were more likely than patients (p < 0.001) and informal caregivers (p < 0.001) to self-promote. Patients (p < 0.001) and informal caregivers (p < 0.001) tweeted more on survival/mortality than healthcare professionals. Additionally, patients (p < 0.001) and informal caregivers (p < 0.001) had a higher average posting frequency per user than healthcare professionals.

Our findings indicate that GBM patients and informal caregivers were more likely to discuss emotional aspects of GBM care, while healthcare professionals had more informational and professional motives. Healthcare professionals who address these emotional, social, and financial communication disconnects can make their social media engagement more meaningful to patients who are often at least one of the primary targets of these accounts.

This study aimed to assess the readability, accuracy, appropriateness, and overall quality of responses generated by large language models (LLMs), including ChatGPT-3.5, Microsoft Copilot, and Gemini (Version 2.0 Flash), to frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to root canal retreatment.

Three LLM chatbots-ChatGPT-3.5, Microsoft Copilot, and Gemini (Version 2.0 Flash)-were assessed based on their responses to 10 patient FAQs. Readability was analyzed using seven indices, including Flesch reading ease score (FRES), Flesch-Kincaid grade level (FKGL), Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG), gunning FOG (GFOG), Linsear Write (LW), Coleman-Liau (CL), and automated readability index (ARI), and compared against the recommended sixth-grade reading level. Response quality was evaluated using the Global Quality Scale (GQS), while accuracy and appropriateness were rated on a five-point Likert scale by two independent reviewers. Statistical analyses were conducted using one-way ANOVA, Tukey or Games-Howell post-hoc tests for continuous variables. Spearman's correlation test was used to assess associations between categorical variables.

All chatbots generated responses exceeding the recommended readability level, making them suitable for readers at or above the 10th-grade level. No significant difference was found between ChatGPT-3.5 and Microsoft Copilot, while Gemini produced significantly more readable responses (p < 0.05). Gemini demonstrated the highest proportion of accurate (80 %) and high-quality responses (80 %) compared to ChatGPT-3.5 and Microsoft Copilot.

None of the chatbots met the recommended readability standards for patient education materials. While Gemini demonstrated better readability, accuracy, and quality, all three models require further optimization to enhance accessibility and reliability in patient communication.

YouTube is among the most highly used internet video sharing platforms worldwide.

The aim in this study was to conduct a social media content analysis of Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet videos on YouTube.

Specific search parameters were input into YouTube, and 101 videos were evaluated for quality and viewer exposure/engagement metrics independently by 3 content experts using the DISCERN instrument, a 16-item instrument designed to assess quality, reliability, and dependability of an online source. Scores were aggregated for analysis.

The majority (n = 69, 68.3%) of the videos were categorized as educational and came from a nonprofit source (n = 35, 34.7%). Although multiple speakers were the most frequent speaker type (n = 30, 29.7%), influencers/actors, dietitians, and healthcare providers were relatively equally distributed across the category (25.7%, 22.8%, and 21.8% respectively). Correlation analysis evaluating video's views, comments, and likes indicates that these video metrics are not correlated with video quality. However, the length of video was moderately and positively associated (P = .01) with the 4 DISCERN parameters of quality.

Study findings suggest that videos on DASH diet offered via YouTube could potentially be an inexpensive venue to promote healthful dietary practices and educate clients. Existing YouTube content on DASH diet demonstrates significant variability in quality ratings based on DISCERN. Providers should direct individuals to engage with high-quality educational DASH diet videos on YouTube that are created with qualified health professionals and are shared by reputable institutions.

Social media holds an increasingly significant position in contemporary society, wherein evolving public perspectives are mirrored by changing information. However, there remains a lack of comprehensive analysis regarding the nature and evolution of dental health care information on Chinese social media platforms (SMPs) despite extensive user engagement and voluminous content.

This study aimed to probe into the nature and evolution of dental health care information on Chinese SMPs from 2018 to 2022, providing valuable insights into the evolving digital public perception of dental health for dental practitioners, investigators, and educators.

This study was conducted on 3 major Chinese SMPs: Weibo, WeChat, and Zhihu. Data from March 1 to 31 in 2018, 2020, and 2022 were sampled to construct a social media original database (ODB), from which the most popular long-text posts (N=180) were selected to create an analysis database (ADB). Natural language processing (NLP) tools were used to assist tracking topic trends, and word frequencies were analyzed. The DISCERN health information quality assessment questionnaire was used for information quality evaluation.

The number of Weibo posts in the ODB increased approximately fourfold during the observation period, with discussion of orthodontic topics showing the fastest growth, surpassing that of general dentistry after 2020. In the ADB, the engagement of content on Weibo and Zhihu also displayed an upward trend. The overall information quality of long-text posts on the 3 platforms was moderate or low. Of the long-text posts, 143 (79.4%) were written by nonprofessionals, and 105 (58.3%) shared personal medical experiences. On Weibo and WeChat, long-text posts authored by health care professionals had higher DISCERN scores (Weibo P=.04; WeChat P=.02), but there was a negative correlation between engagement and DISCERN scores (Weibo tau-b [τb]=-0.45, P=.01; WeChat τb=-0.30, P=.02).

There was a significant increase in the dissemination and evolution of public interest in dental health care information on Chinese social media during 2018-2022. However, the quality of the most popular long-text posts was rated as moderate or low, which may mislead patients and the public.

The yearly courses conducted by the South Asian Society for Sexual Medicine (SASSM) in Bangladesh establish a collaborative training paradigm designed to increase healthcare professionals' comfort with sexual medicine and develop skills for giving the best treatment possible to individuals with sexual health issues and dysfunctions.

The study assessed the impact of course completion on SASSM School Bangladesh participants.

A pretest-posttest of 116 (57%) SASSM participants was conducted, comprising data on knowledge acquisition following the 3-day program in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021. A paired t-test was applied to compare the difference between pretest and posttest performance. Logistic regression was conducted to assess the influence of socio-demographic variables.

The study demonstrates that the SASSM School Bangladesh program significantly improves participants' knowledge of sexual medicine, with a 12.7-unit increase in test scores, irrespective of socio-demographic factors.

Majority (102, or 75% of those polled) of the participants were men. Psychiatrists were the most common respondents (39%), followed by dermatologists (32%), urologists (12%), and gynecologists (8%) who completed both surveys. There was a significant difference (P-value < .01) in mean pretest (49.6 ± 17.1) and posttest (62.3 ± 15.5) scores. The socio-demographic factors (gender, location, age, and experience) do not have any significant influence on gain of knowledge through the SASSM training program as the P-value of odds ratio or adjusted odds ratio from logistic regression is P > .05.

The study highlights the clinical importance of structured training in sexual medicine, ensuring that healthcare professionals across various specialties are better equipped to diagnose and manage sexual health issues effectively.

The study used a pretest-posttest design to measure actual knowledge improvement. Paired t-test and logistic regression were applied to ensure robust analysis. Diverse professionals from psychiatry, dermatology, urology, and gynecology participated in the study, making the findings relevant across specialties. This study evaluates the only structured sexual medicine training program in Bangladesh, contributing new insights into medical education.However, the findings may not be generalizable beyond Bangladesh. The study could not assess whether knowledge retention and clinical practice improved over time. Participants voluntarily enrolled in the study, which can possibly represent a group already interested in sexual medicine. The study focused only on knowledge improvement, not on changes in clinical practice or patient outcomes.

Specialists of sexual medicine have a unique opportunity to learn and certify their knowledge through the SASSM program, the first of its kind in Bangladesh.

Social media plays a crucial and diverse role in health promotion and public health. However, professionals often cite various concerns and a lack of knowledge of how to use it effectively. This study aimed to explore the use of social media by Australian health promotion and public health professionals.

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between July and August 2023 with people aged 18 years or older currently working in a public health or health promotion role in Australia.

One hundred and fifty eligible responses were obtained. Participants were predominantly female (85%) and aged between 18 and 39 years (50%). Most participants (40%) rated themselves as having an intermediate social media competency level, and 60% had never undertaken social media training. The majority used social media in their professional role (77%) for dissemination (68%), education (62%) and advocacy (54%) purposes. However, several concerns were highlighted, including the validity of information on social media (43%) and inappropriate online behaviour (40%).

Despite high levels of social media use for education and advocacy purposes, participants had concerns about using social media in a professional context and about the reliability and quality of information acquired through social media. Training on effectively navigating social media and verifying the accuracy of available information is worthy of future attention. SO WHAT?: These findings will inform the development of a massive open online course that aims to equip health promotion and public health professionals with the skills to use social media for public health education and advocacy.

This review examines the evolving role of social media (SM) in oncology, highlighting its impact on patient support, professional collaboration, and public health communication. SM platforms enable cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and oncology professionals to share information, seek support, connect with one another, and engage in education. However, the widespread use of SM introduces challenges, including misinformation and privacy concerns. The article discusses current practices, emerging trends, and the potential of SM in enhancing oncology care, with a focus on its impact across various stakeholders, while emphasizing the need for strategies to manage associated risks and fully harness SM's benefits.

Background/Objectives: Direct-to-Consumer Orthodontics (DTCO) has gained popularity through social media, offering clear aligner treatments without in-person supervision. However, there is limited research on the related user experiences, satisfaction, and complications, particularly in Spain. This study aimed to evaluate user experiences, satisfaction levels, and complications associated with DTCO in a sample of Spanish consumers. Additionally, differences among major DTCO providers were analyzed. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted over one year. This questionnaire, adapted from previous studies and reviewed by certified orthodontists, assessed user awareness, reasons for treatment selection, communication with providers, discomfort, complications, and satisfaction. A total of 101 valid responses were analyzed using statistical means. Results: The majority of respondents reported that their expectations were not met, and they would not recommend DTCO. Cost was the primary motivation for treatment selection, followed by convenience. Many users experienced complications, leading to dental consultations. While overall satisfaction levels did not significantly differ among providers, variations were observed in discomfort levels, in-person care availability, and the need for additional consultations. Conclusions: DTCO offers affordability and convenience but raises concerns regarding treatment quality and supervision. In most cases, users' expectations were not met, highlighting the need for greater patient education and regulatory oversight.

World Health Organization (WHO) identified noncommunicable diseases as the foremost risk to public health globally and the cause of approximately 80% of premature deaths. However, Cardiovascular diseases account for most of these premature deaths and established threats to public health. Recently, digitization of health consultancy services through mHealth (e.g., mobile applications) using artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled Internet of Things has notably facilitated the accessibility of expert advice and continuous monitoring of Cardiac health on public health matters, making it more convenient for adoption in recent times. Nonetheless, scant attention has been paid to how digital media might encourage the adoption of digitally based health consulting services while accounting for the current IoT, Digital Divide, and Individual Trust conditions. Given this status quo, this study contributes to the body of literature by delving into an unexplored evaluation of the role digital media advertising plays in outlining the characteristics and effectiveness of AI-enabled IoT mHealth.

The study used a cross-sectional online survey to collect data from 495 middle-aged adults.

The findings showed that social influence, performance expectation, effort expectancy, and facilitating conditions are critical factors in predicting intention to use mobile health applications. While the advertisements of mobile health are effective in ingraining the perception of their better performance regarding evading cardiovascular diseases added with the Internet of Things is an effective tool in adopting mobile health applications.

The utilization of digital media to promote emerging elements like the AI-enabled Internet of Things in health consulting to counter noncommunicable diseases, e.g., cardiovascular disease, has not yet been thoroughly explored. Consequently, the effectiveness of these communication features promotion among middle-aged adults remains largely uncharted. This research examines how middle-aged adults respond to advertisements showcasing the AI-enabled Internet of Things in digital media. Drawing an analogy with a UTAUT-3 theory, this research investigates how digital media advertisement can effectively promote recently integrated AI-enabled Internet of Things mHealth consultation services. Remarkably, findings identified that trust in AI-enabled IoTs-based mHealth applications remained insignificant. However, the digital divide resulting from low digital literacy in the Global South, especially Pakistan, is the primary obstacle to adopting mHealth apps for digital health services. This study suggests organizations such as WHO, mHealth apps, and telemedicine service providers employ health messaging and instructional advertising to educate the public.

The evolution experienced by global society, in the post-COVID 19 era, is marked by the quite obligatory use of digital media in many sectors, as is the case for the health sector. Quite frequently, both patients and health professionals use social media to express their telemedicine concerns or interests. The present research focuses on these social media comments as they represent a very interesting data source for researchers. In the present analysis, we focus on unstructured tweet texts written by Internet users and apply both machine learning and the Latent Dirichlet Allocation algorithm to model X databases and identify tweet topics. The results gathered provide professionals with information on the most important issues and factors of influence for telemedecine consumers.BackgroundThe use of new technologies has transformed society, affecting communication, information seeking and ways of working. Telemedicine, as a remote health practice through ICTs, has grown exponentially, especially after the pandemic.ObjectiveWe do apply a mixed methodology in our study and use both qualitative and quantitative techniques to explore the conversational topics generated about telemedicine through comments posted by users on X. This allows us to identify primary, secondary, and residual themes.MethodsNatural Language Processing (NLP) and Machine Learning techniques, specifically the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) model, were used to analyse 156,633 comments extracted from "X" related to telemedicine topics.ResultsThe study revealed several issues to be addressed. Data was collected using keywords such as "teleconsultation" and "telemedicine". We can see that the most frequent words in the comments include words such as "health", "service", "doctor" and "patient". The themes identified were grouped into four dimensions: general information, benefits sought, specific information and professional issues. The results showed that 60.1% of the comments focused on generic telemedicine topics, ease of use and service information. "X" queries were observed to be public and general in nature, focusing on benefits and accessibility, while disease or treatment specific topics were less frequent.ConclusionsThe results provide information for the proper development and study of telemedicine through social networks. "X" is a platform mainly used for general telemedicine queries, with convenience and accessibility as the main benefits mentioned. The results suggest that online telemedicine interactions are complex and offer valuable insights for improving telemedicine communication strategies. Future research could explore the use of hashtags and analyse differences in interaction patterns according to user profile, providing a deeper understanding of audiences' behaviour on social networks. These findings underline the importance of considering audience preferences to improve the effectiveness of telemedicine communications.

Effective communication is essential for promoting preventive behaviors during infectious disease outbreaks like COVID-19. While consistent news can better inform the public about these health behaviors, the public may not adopt them.

This study aims to explore the role of different media platforms in shaping public discourse on preventive measures to infectious diseases such as quarantine and vaccination, and how media exposure influences individuals' intentions to adopt these behaviors in the United States.

This study uses data from 3 selected top national newspapers in the United States, Twitter discussions, and a US nationwide longitudinal panel survey from February 2020 to April 2021. We used the Intermedia Agenda-Setting Theory and the Protective Action Decision Model to develop the theoretical framework.

We found a 2-way agenda flow between selected national newspapers and the social media platform Twitter, particularly in controversial topics like vaccination (F1,426=16.39; P<.001 for newspapers; F1,426=44.46; P<.001 for Twitter). Exposure to media coverage increased individuals' perceived benefits of certain behaviors like vaccination but did not necessarily translate into behavioral adoption. For example, while individuals' media exposure increased perceived benefits of mask-wearing (β=.057; P<.001 for household benefits; β=.049; P<.001 for community benefits), it was not consistently linked to higher intentions to wear masks (β=-.026; P=.04).

This study integrates media flow across platforms with US national panel survey data, offering a comprehensive view of communication dynamics during the early stage of an infectious disease outbreak. The findings caution against a one-size-fits-all approach in communicating different preventive behaviors, especially where individual and community benefits may not always align.

Second victim syndrome (SVS) and fear of missing out (FOMO) are two psychological phenomena affecting health care professionals, particularly nurses who are involved in adverse patient events. SVS describes the psychological burden experienced by health care providers involved in patient safety incidents, such as errors or adverse events. Concurrently, FOMO is characterized by an apprehension of missing out on rewarding experiences, often exacerbated by social media, which can lead to further emotional distress. This interplay can intensify feelings of isolation among nurses, especially those in high-stress environments like critical care.

This study examines the relationship between SVS and FOMO among critical care nurses in Oman.

This study used a cross-sectional design with a convenience sampling approach. A total of 189 nurses working in Oman completed the study questionnaires consisting of the fear of missing out scale (FOMO) and the second victim experience and support survey (SVEST). The data were collected between April and June 2024.

The findings revealed that most nurses experience moderate SVS and FOMO, with significant differences based on age, marital status and education level. A linear regression analysis indicated a positive association between higher SVS and increased FOMO, suggesting that SVS significantly contributes to the experience of FOMO among critical care nurses in Oman.

This study highlights the significant relationship between FOMO and SVS among critical care nurses in Oman. The emotional strain from SVS, characterized by guilt and self-blame, is intensified by FOMO related to professional growth and social comparison. To enhance nurses' well-being, health care institutions must implement supportive measures and mental health resources. Addressing these challenges will ultimately improve both nurse satisfaction and patient care outcomes.

Understanding the interplay between FOMO and SVS among critical care nurses has significant implications for clinical practice worldwide. This research can inform evidence-based strategies to enhance nurses' well-being, leading to improved patient care outcomes and reduced burnout rates. Additionally, the findings can help develop targeted interventions to mitigate the effects of FOMO and SVS, fostering a healthier work environment and promoting resilience in critical care nursing. By exploring these relationships, this research aims to provide insights into the factors contributing to FOMO and SVS, facilitating the development of effective support systems to promote nurses' well-being across diverse health care settings.

This study explores the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated social media influencers to disseminate cancer prevention messages. Utilizing a Generative AI (GenAI) application, we created a virtual persona, "Wanda", to promote cancer awareness on Instagram.

We created five posts, addressing the five most modifiable risk factors for cancer: tobacco consumption, unhealthy diet, sun exposure, alcohol consumption, and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection. To amplify the campaign's reach, posts were boosted using a custom-targeted as well as an automated advertisement algorithm. An overall budget of €100 was equally distributed between the two algorithms. Campaign performance was assessed based on the number of users reached and the age distribution of the audience.

The campaign achieved a total of 9902 recognitions, with a cost-efficiency analysis revealing an average expenditure of €0.013 per reach. The most economical intervention achieved a cost of only €0.006 per reach. In comparing the two advertisement strategies, we observed similar overall reach but noted differences in the age demographics of the audience.

Our findings underscore the potential of combining generative AI with strategically targeted advertisement to promote cancer prevention messages effectively, with minimal time and financial investment. We discuss chances presented by GenAI applications in health communication, their implication, and the impact of parasocial relationships on content perception. This study highlights the potential of AI-driven influencers as scalable tools for digital health communication.

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a chronic substance use disorder that currently results in significant morbidity and mortality within the United States. The Opioid and Naloxone Education program is a pharmacy-centered opioid risk screening process to identify patients at risk for OUD and opioid overdose. Three years after inception, data indicated patients screened as high-risk for OUD were receiving opioid safety interventions; however the evaluation noted a lack of OUD education with patients.

To describe and assess an educational initiative for pharmacists which is delivered via social media for the improvement of pharmacist-patient communication surrounding OUD education.

The initiative was named 'Dare 2 Discuss' and video content was developed to align with prior research citing challenges to health care provider-patient OUD education. Data to evaluate pharmacist interventions/education delivered to patients was collected by a pharmacy services documentation platform and social media performance was captured by each respective social media dashboard.

The first video was posted on October 1, 2022 and the last video was posted on April 10, 2023. Each video took approximately 2.5 hours to create and averaged 42 seconds in length (17-168 seconds). On average, videos received 233 Facebook views (55-489 views) and 527 Instagram views (232-1434 views). The postintervention phase indicated that patient receipt of OUD education by the pharmacist increased by 23% and patient receipt of community support services information increased by 68%.

'Dare 2 Discuss' campaign may have improved pharmacist self-efficacy with subsequent adjustment of patient education techniques when addressing OUD conversations. These findings highlight the feasibility of a social media-delivered educational initiative to have a potential impact on factors associated with the opioid crisis and risk-reduction education by pharmacists. Creating relevant and easy-to-digest educational materials for health professionals is an important step in advancing practice and improving patient care. Results from the Dare 2 Discuss campaign suggest that this educational initiative may be an effective method to reach a broad number of pharmacists to improve patient interactions.

The paediatric population is vulnerable to suffering adverse drug events (ADEs) such as negative outcomes due to medication (NOMs)-drug related problems (DRPs), especially adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and medication errors (MEs). Social media (SM) is considered an interesting tool for pharmacovigilance. This study aims to assess descriptions of ADRs, NOM-DRPs and MEs in SM.

Observational, ambispective study assessing NOM-DRPs, ADRs and MEs in posts of child-rearing public parenting forums from inception until December 2021 of drugs dispensed in outpatient setting. ADEs were classified, assessing causality by Liverpool Causality Assessment Tool and seriousness by the World Health Organization criteria. Summary of product characteristics were used to determine ADR prevalence.

In total, 3573 posts of 2 child-rearing public parenting forums were retrieved; 906 (25%) contained descriptions of medicine of which 823 (91%) were analysed; 425 posts (52%) described 636 NOM-DRPs (1 NOM-DRP median per child, interquartile range [IQR] 1-8), from which 161 (26%) were ADRs in 105 posts (1.5 ADR median per child, IQR 1-4) and 95 (15%) were MEs in 64 posts (1 ME median per child, IQR 1-4). From posts mined with medicines mentions, 70% included NOM-DRPs, 18% ADRs and 10% MEs. More ADRs occurred in females and infants. Most ADRs (158; 98%) were evaluated as possible and 17 ADRs (11%) were serious. Uncommon 19 (12%), (14, 9%), very rare (3, 2%) and rare (1, 1%) ADRs were also found.

Results suggest that information retrieved from SM may be useful to assess paediatric ADEs and provide valuable pharmacovigilance complementary data.

Studies on technology engagement among the elderly have shown that cognitive function is associated with technology engagement. However, the impact of technology engagement on elderly memory functionality has yet to be determined. The current study investigates the impact of technology engagement on memory functionality among elderly care centers in Jordan.

A descriptive longitudinal study of population consisted of 470 residents at the selected care centers aged 65 years and above from Amman, Jordan in 2024. The purposive sampling method was used in sampling the participants. A reciprocal 2-year longitudinal study of technology engagement and memory functionality. The data was collected quantitatively using "Everyday Technology Use, Episodic Memory, Executive function, Clock Drawing Test (CDT), and Cognitive Assessment" tools and qualitatively using semi-structured interviews. The data analyzed descriptively and inferentially using NVivo and SPSS 23.0.

The analyzes showed that technology engagement had longitudinal positive effects on cognitive function over 2 years. The results showed that reciprocally, greater use of technology was significantly associated with better memory performance in the following years, B (SE) =0.20, SE =0.02, P < .001. The lagged effect of technology use on executive function was significant across waves, B = .27, SE =.015, P < .001. However, the lagged effect of executive function on the use of technology was not significant, B = .00, SE =.01, P = .14.

The study contributed to a clearer understanding of the impact of technology engagement on memory function.

Dental photography has many advantages such as improving professional communication, enhancing patient education, and facilitating treatment acceptance. This study investigated the impact of dental photography through social media on patients' choice of dental care providers.

This cross-sectional survey-based study recruited a convenience sample of adult patients attending selected public and private dental facilities in Saudi Arabia. Data was collected using an online self-administered questionnaire. Participants received the link to the questionnaire through social media of their treating dentists.

A total of 552 completed the survey of whom 289 (52.4%) aged 18-25 years, 291 (52.7%) were males, 336 (60.9%) were bachelors, and the majority 448 (81.2%) had a postgraduate degree. Snapchat was the most commonly used social networking application, n = 190 (34.4%). Females reported they were more likely to report that seeing the previous cases affect their choice of a dentist (2.025(1.253-3.274)) and that social media can affect their choice as well (1.787(1.219-2.621)). While those who never visited the dentist were less likely (0.622(0.395-0.978)) to support the use of dental photography and less likely (0.579(0.362-0.926)) to report that social media affect their choice of a dentist. Instagram was found to be a significant platform for selecting a dentist (OR = 1.132, range; 0.608-2.11) (p-0.05).

The presence of the dentist in social networking sites and sharing of their pre-post treatment cases can be an effective marketing tool especially among females and Instagram users.

Social networks consist of a group of individuals connected by family, work, or other interests and facilitated by an online structure or platform. They are also a relatively recent and widely used marketing phenomenon that is constantly evolving. The healthcare field includes professions such as social work, biology, biomedicine, physical education, nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy, speech therapy, medicine, veterinary medicine, nutrition, dentistry, psychology, and occupational therapy. The present study aimed to analyze the influence of social networks in the process of finding and selecting healthcare professionals. The methodology was a survey using a structured questionnaire created on Google Forms. Descriptive research was carried out with non-probabilistic convenience and snowball sampling, followed by quantitative data analysis. A total of 268 participants who signed the informed consent were included in the study. The findings revealed that the most common way to find healthcare professionals is through recommendations from friends/relatives and other professionals, followed by the use of social networks. The majority of participants used social networks to search for healthcare professionals, with Instagram being the most widely used platform. Sponsored advertisements can be an effective way to reach potential new patients. The most valued characteristics in healthcare content creators were reliability, expertise, and the ability to convey messages, with health-related explanations in an easily understandable manner being the preferred type of content. Therefore, this study revealed that social networks can influence the search for and selection of healthcare professionals.

As digitalization continues to advance globally, the health care sector, including dental practice, increasingly recognizes social media as a vital tool for health care promotion, patient recruitment, marketing, and communication strategies.

This study aimed to investigate the use of social media and assess its impact on enhancing dental care and practice among dental professionals in the Philippines.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among dental practitioners in the Philippines. The study used a 23-item questionnaire, which included 5 questions on dentists' background and demographic information and 18 questions regarding the use, frequency, and purpose of social media in patient advising and quality of care improvement. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, with frequency distributions and χ2 tests used to assess the association between social media use and demographic variables and the impact on dental practice.

The 265 dental practitioners in this study were predominantly female (n=204, 77%) and aged between 20-30 years (n=145, 54.7%). Most of the participants were general practitioners (n=260, 98.1%) working in a private practice (n=240, 90.6%), with 58.5% (n=155) having 0-5 years of clinical experience. Social media use was significantly higher among younger practitioners (20-30 years old) compared to older age groups (P<.001), though factors such as sex, dental specialty, and years of clinical practice did not significantly influence use. The majority (n=179, 67.5%) reported using social media in their practice, primarily for oral health promotion and education (n=191, 72.1%), connecting with patients and colleagues (n=165, 62.3%), and marketing (n=150, 56.6%). Facebook (n=179, 67.5%) and YouTube (n=163, 61.5%) were the most frequented platforms for clinical information, with Twitter (subsequently rebranded X) being the least used (n=4, 1.5%). Despite widespread social media engagement, only 8.7% (n=23) trusted the credibility of web-based information, and 63.4% (n=168) perceived a potential impact on the patient-dentist relationship due to patients seeking information on the internet. Social media was also perceived to enhance practice quality, with users reporting significant improvements in patient care (P=.001).

The findings highlight that social media is widely used among younger dental practitioners, primarily for education, communication, and marketing purposes. While social media use is associated with perceived improvements in practice quality and patient care, trust in information on social media remains low, and concerns remain regarding its effect on patient relationships. It is recommended to establish enhanced guidelines and provide reliable web-based resources to help dental practitioners use social media effectively and responsibly.

Background: The utilization of digital technologies in the field of dentistry is becoming increasingly prevalent. Such technologies facilitate more precise and efficient dental treatment while also enhancing the overall quality of care. The advent of digitalization has brought with it a plethora of advantages, yet it has also given rise to a number of potential challenges. These have the potential to give rise to a variety of negative consequences, including an increase in stress perception. Objectives: This study identifies the digital demands and resources as well as the prevalence of digital stress perception among German dentists. Furthermore, the study examines the relationship between digital stress perception and work- and health-related outcomes, and it identifies potential preventive measures. Methods: The quantitative cross-sectional study involved a total of 325 German dentists. Data collection took place between January and April 2024. The questionnaire was validated using several established scales, including the Technostress Scale and the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ). Multiple correlation and regression analyses were conducted to ascertain the reliability and validity of the data collected. Results: The study results demonstrated that the participating dentists exhibited a moderate level of digital stress (M = 3.73 (SD = 0.71). Regarding the individual technostress creators, the highest mean was observed for the constructs of techno-overload (M = 3.91; SD = 0.76), techno-complexity (M = 3.63; SD = 0.71), and techno-uncertainty (M = 2.01; SD = 0.75). The participants reported an average level of exhaustion symptoms (M = 3.21; SD = 0.91) and job satisfaction (M = 4.52; SD = 0.78). The association between technostress and emotional exhaustion (as a burnout symptom) showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.38; CI: 0.07, 0.52; p < 0.05). A significant negative correlation was observed between the variables of technostress and job satisfaction, with a correlation coefficient of r = -0.33 (CI: -0.25, 0.07; p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study presents preliminary findings on the digital stress experience in dentistry and relevant associations. In the context of ongoing digitalization, there is a need for support and preventive measures to reduce technology-related stress. An optimized design of digital applications and the working environment are of crucial importance to improve the health of dentists and the quality of patient care.

 Social media (SM) has become an innovative area that is revolutionizing the process of healthcare decision-making, with deep influence on the dental specialty, where aesthetic preferences of patients create high-level expectations. Despite SM being used widely in Pakistan and its penetration rate increasing very fast, its effectiveness and its role in patient expectations and satisfaction towards dental procedures are underresearched. This research aims to explore the perspective of patients and dentists regarding the influence of social media in shaping expectations and satisfaction with dental procedures.

This cross-sectional, exploratory qualitative study was carried out in dental clinics in Multan, Pakistan. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 patients, and 10 dental consultants participated in focus group discussions (FGDs). Purposive sampling ensured the participation of a diverse range of participants. Transcripts were transcribed manually and analyzed using a thematic analysis framework.

The results showed that SM greatly affects patient expectations, which resulted in unreasonable expectations from patients (70%) based on idealized images of dental procedures. Participants (47%) acknowledged the role of SM in increasing patients' knowledge and linking them to practitioners but also expressed disappointment when their expectations, especially with relation to cosmetic results-were not satisfied (65%). Unrealistic information circulated on SM and poor communication during consultations aggravated this discontent. Dentists voiced worries about ethical conundrums, increased pressure to satisfy unreasonable expectations, and the lack of organized programs meant to counter disinformation and misconceptions. To close the discrepancy between expectations and clinical reality, participants advised transparent and realistic SM content, enhanced patient communication, and public awareness initiatives. Participants also recommended that institutions and the government should offer subsidized treatment options for non-affording populations.

The study served as a dual lens, both enabling awareness and serving as a source of misinformation for dental treatments. The study highlighted that exaggerated and unrealistic patient expectations often led to disappointment. Patient education, improved communication strategies, and ethical use of SM were pointed out as means through which these challenges can be addressed. The study proposed that in order to utilize the maximum potential of SM in patient satisfaction and decision-making, institutional interventions, such as structured training for healthcare providers and policy-based public awareness campaigns, are necessary.

Strategic knowledge mobilization efforts are needed to enhance uptake and use of the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines (24HMG), which describe optimal amounts of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep each day for overall health. The Whole Day Matters Toolkit for Primary Care is an evidence-informed resource to help primary care providers (PCPs) disseminate the 24HMGs. The purpose of this study was to describe gaining consensus on toolkit components through iterative revisions to improve its utility in preparation for the September 2022 launch, and to summarize early dissemination efforts.

A multidisciplinary expert working group planned three modified Delphi surveys to assess PCPs' level of agreement with toolkit components on 7-point Likert scales with follow-up prompts for ratings of 4 or less. Consensus was defined a priori as a mean of 6 or higher out of 7 and 60% or more of PCPs selecting at least "somewhat agree." Items on which consensus was reached were removed from subsequent surveys unless they were revised.

Twenty PCPs completed surveys 1 and 2; 15 completed survey 3. Consensus was reached on 5% (4/83), 17% (14/83) and 55% (38/69) of the items in surveys 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The number of qualitative comments decreased from 26 to 19 to 12, further indicating increasing consensus.

Items on which consensus was not gained may reflect differences in provider characteristics or settings. A coproduced dissemination strategy was enacted. Toolkit reach was evaluated at launch and 4 months later.

Objective: To examine the accuracy, engagement, and quality of otolaryngology-related educational videos produced by health care providers on Instagram. Methods: A systematic search on Instagram was conducted to identify the top 150 video posts using the hashtags #Otolaryngology, #Otolaryngologist, and #ENTeducation, ranging from September 2020 to January 2024. Posts not related to otolaryngology medical education were excluded from analysis. Engagement metrics such as likes, comments, shares, views, and video duration were used to quantify the reach of the content. The Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Audiovisual Materials was utilized to evaluate the understandability and actionability of medical educational videos. Results: 54 Instagram videos were analyzed and categorized by content type based on their primary topic-ear (n = 15), nose (n = 20), and throat (n = 19). Overall, 85% of the content was completely accurate, 13% was incomplete/misleading, and 2% was completely inaccurate. The average understandability was high at 89%, and the average actionability was low at 39%. 78% of the videos were created by otolaryngologists, 7% by plastic surgeons, and 15% by other health care providers. Conclusions: Most of the top otolaryngology-related educational content on Instagram was accurate with some misleading and inaccurate content. Although the inaccurate video is small in comparison, the moderate user engagement reveals that even a single inaccurate video can adversely reach and influence many people.

Social media influencers have revolutionized information, gaining viewers, retention, and interest with short videos. Medical teams could potentially benefit from this medium for educating patients. Defining success in this endeavor remains unclear.

We are a surgeon-nurse team that sought to promote our messages on social media to gain viewers and interest in our website.

An educational podcast focusing on end-of-life discussions was linked to social media platforms, including Instagram and TikTok, to gain views on our website.

Eleven podcast episodes were produced and published over a 3-month period, between November 2023 and January 2024. The podcast episodes were promoted to "similar clients" based on internal algorithms by a podcast streaming service, Spotify. The promotion provided by Spotify and website views were compared to responses evident by other social media posts.

After 3 months of publishing podcast episodes on Spotify, with free publicity, our podcast gained 10,400 promotions, 486 listeners, 49 followers, and approximately 1200 random website views. In comparison, the podcast content garnered more than 50,000 video clip views on TikTok and Instagram, after funding these brief video promotions. TikTok and Instagram both charged $20 or more per promotion. Paid promotion opportunities resulted in no website visits or podcast followers.

Our own experience with social media promotion was inadequate in generating interest in our content. The authors would encourage other teams to be strategic with paid promotions and to consider engaging a marketing expert to improve the potential for mass interest in content and promotional efficiency. Additionally, based on these findings, the authors would appreciate more transparency in the algorithms behind successful promotions to better understand "what success looks like" for medical messaging.

This article outlines a research study that ranked health information quality criteria on social media from experts' perspectives.

A mixed-method approach (qualitative-quantitative) used in current research. In the qualitative phase a literature review explored existing dimensions for evaluating social media content quality, focusing on identifying common dimensions and attributes. Furthermore, a quantitative method involving experts was utilized to rank the health information quality criteria for social media.

The findings indicated various dimensions of health information quality in the literature. Out of 17 criteria, accuracy, credibility, and reliability had the highest ranks, while originality, value-added, and amount of data had the lowest ranks, respectively, according to experts.

The endeavor to bolster the dissemination of reliable health information on social media demands a sustained commitment to enhancing accountability, transparency, and accuracy, ensuring that users have access to information that is not only informative but also trustworthy.

This paper presents a case study describing the use of social media, specifically Facebook and Instagram, as a valuable tool for recruiting participants in community-engaged health care studies. Drawing on the experiences of our team during a qualitative study aiming to understand the needs of Indigenous fathers and Two-Spirit parents as they transition to parenthood, we offer an in-depth exploration of our social media recruitment strategy. This strategy encompasses deliberate content creation and online engagement with local Indigenous community organizations and people. Through the implementation of this recruitment strategy, we successfully recruited 18 Indigenous fathers and 4 Two-Spirit parents to our community-engaged project. We learned that social media can be used to enhance recruitment by building community trust, engagement, tailored content for specific audiences, and adaptive strategies guided by data metrics provided by social media platforms. Our journey included several challenges, such as dealing with fraudulent participants, navigating budget and resource constraints, and facing recruitment limitations, which we also describe in detail. Our paper provides essential insights for researchers considering the use of social media as a recruitment tool but we are unsure of how to begin. Health care researchers may find our experience and recommendations helpful for developing and implementing their own effective social media recruitment strategy. Meanwhile, sharing our experience contributes to the broader understanding of the role of social media in participant recruitment.

Medical professionals use social media for career development, education, clinical outreach, or advocacy. Prior studies estimate that 25% to 65% of health care providers use social media professionally; however, the number of users and platforms are rapidly changing. Therefore, as part of a broader study, we set out to assess platform preferences and social media usage among neurologists.

This was a multisite cross-sectional analysis consisting of a REDCap survey of clinicians, residents, and medical students. Faculty, trainees, or clinical year medical students interested in child neurology or adult neurology residency or fellowship programs within the United States were eligible to participate. Recruitment methods were broad to encompass as diverse and extensive participation as possible. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Data are presented according to the STROBE guidelines.

Of the 226 neurology respondents, 55% (n = 124) were child neurology and 45% (n = 102) were adult neurology across all career stages, including students. Of the 70% who reported using social media in a professional capacity, the most commonly reported reasons were for networking and collaboration (n = 95, 60%), self-directed medical learning (n = 90, 57%), and brand building and reputation (n = 62, 39%). Twitter and Facebook were the most common and versatile platforms used by neurologists. Medical students had the highest documentation of social media scholarships on their curriculum vitae (37%, P = .016) and the most interest (33%, P = .016) in learning how to document social media scholarships if they were not already. Early faculty shared this interest more than residents, fellows, or mid-late career faculty. In all groups except for mid-late career faculty, a majority of respondents (>75%) showed interest in learning how to leverage social media for career development.

Social media is used professionally by a majority of neurologists, most commonly for networking, self-directed learning, and building individual brands. Opportunities exist to better understand platform preferences and ways to optimize their use for various professional activities as well as to provide education on effective professional use of social media including documentation for promotion.

This study investigated the influence of social media on patients regarding aesthetic dental treatments according to sex, type of treatment, and time since their last treatment. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a web-based survey. Participants were students over 18 years of age who were social media users and had undergone aesthetic dental treatment. 504 responses were included. Data evaluation was made using Pearson chi-square test. The level of significance was set at p < .05. 29.37% of the respondents indicated that social media influenced their decision to have their aesthetic treatment. Regarding the influence of social media, no differences were observed between males and females, nor by type of aesthetic treatment. Participants who had undergone an aesthetic dental treatment within the last year were more influenced by social media than those who had undergone it more than two years ago. Posts from dental clinics or dentists were the type of content that most influenced participants. Social media can influence some patients' decision to undergo aesthetic dental treatment, thus dental practices and dentists should consider the increasing importance of social media in their daily practice.

Active surveillance (AS) is increasingly recognized as an appropriate strategy for selected patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinomas (PTMC). However, some factors, including physician-related ones, hinder its widespread adoption.

To explore the prevailing barriers and the impact of information on attitudes towards AS implementation, we developed a questionnaire that was completed before and after reading a simple information leaflet by 317 doctors working in different work environments. This leaflet provides information about the overdiagnosis of PTMC, the concept of AS, results of early studies, and main advantages and disadvantages of AS.

We observed a greater resistance to AS among male physicians who were more likely to maintain the initial recommendation for surgery or referral to a head and neck surgeon than female physicians (77 % vs. 46 %, p = 0.01), regardless of their medical specialty. Fear of disease progression and of the patient losing follow-up were the main concerns. Reading the educational material significantly increased the number of physicians who endorsed AS as an initial approach to PTMC without risk factors from 14 % to 34 % (p < 0,001). This change in attitude was even more significant when doctors were confronted with a case of PTMC in an elderly patient. Gender, medical specialty, age range and academic environment were the factors that were determinants on the influence of the informative leaflet on the decision-making. The leaflet also increased the number of doctors who considered themselves capable of dealing with this patient profile; however, 17 % declared that the place where they worked would not be able to meet the need for periodic assessments and necessary examinations. This was particularly true for the 20 % of the professionals working in rural areas.

A simple educational leaflet with basic information presented via social media increased the number of Brazilian physicians who endorsed AS for PTMC management and proved to be a facilitating tool for understanding and accepting it. Our results suggest that this method can be easily extended to larger population.

Social media has allowed patients with rare diseases to connect and discuss their experiences with others online. This study analyzed various social media platforms to better understand the patient's perception of arteriovenous malformation.

Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok were searched to find posts about patients' experiences with arteriovenous malformations (AVM). Posts unrelated to the patient's experience were excluded. Posts were coded for the relevant themes related to their experience with the disease, as well as engagement, and gender.

The most common theme was raising awareness about the condition (87.0%). Recounting symptoms (50.2%), spreading positivity (17.5%), and survival (8.3%) were other common themes. Other prevalent themes were pain (5.2%) and fear of a rare disease (3.5%). Approximately half of AVM-related Instagram (47.93%) and TikTok (52.94%) posts raised awareness about the condition. Most Instagram (67.75%) and TikTok (89.71%) posts focused on recovery and rehabilitation. Most TikTok posts discussed "survival" or "death" (57.35%), while the majority focused on spreading positivity (79.41%). Most posts were made by women (69.6%). Females were more likely than males to post about the scientific explanation of AVMs (p = 0.003).

Social media allows patients across the country and the globe to discuss their experiences with uncommon diseases and connect with others. It also allows AVM patients to share their experiences with other patients and the public.

Social media offer opportunities for informal learning and are increasingly adopted by health professionals as learning tools. However, little is known of how new graduate physiotherapists engage with social media for learning.

This study aimed to explore new graduate physiotherapists' perceptions and use of social media as learning tools during their transition into professional practice.

This study used a qualitative general inductive approach. New graduate physiotherapists (n = 16) were recruited through purposive snowball sampling and participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were subjected to a general inductive analytical method.

Four themes were generated: 1) social media as tools for learning; 2) navigating and engaging with social media as a learner; 3) thinking critically about social media; and 4) relevance to practice.

New graduate physiotherapists use social media as adjunct learning tools which can be positioned within several frameworks, including the Situated Learning Theory. However, new graduates voice uncertainties regarding information credibility, the importance of critical thinking skills in navigating information, and concerns regarding blurred work-life boundaries. Recommendations are made for research to further understand social media as emerging learning tools, especially for new graduates who are experiencing insufficient workplace support.

This study aimed to explore the mediating role of general self-efficacy in the influence of social media identity bubble reinforcement on the happiness index among Chinese medical staff.

This study utilized data (n = 877) from the 2022 Psychological and Behavioral Investigation of Chinese Residents (PBICR) related to medical staff. Correlation analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0 software, and the relationships between general self-efficacy, social media identity bubble reinforcement, and the happiness index of Chinese medical staff were examined using AMOS 23.0 software.

The happiness index of Chinese medical staff was scored at 2.93 ± 1.21 for each item. Social media identity bubble reinforcement among Chinese medical staff was positively correlated with general self-efficacy (r = 0.380, P < .001), as well as with the happiness index (r = 0.330, P < .001). General self-efficacy was positively correlated with the happiness index (r = 0.575, P < .001) and was found to mediate the relationship between social media identity bubble reinforcement and the happiness index of Chinese medical staff. In terms of the mediating effect of social media identity bubble reinforcement, the direct effect's 95% confidence interval (CI) was 0.031-0.142, accounting for 34.68% of the total effect, which is statistically significant (P = .015), while the 95% CI of the indirect effect was 0.125-0.212, representing 65.32% of the total effect, also statistically significant (P = .005).

Social media identity bubble reinforcement and general self-efficacy were found to be important factors influencing the happiness index of medical staff. Hospital managers and policymakers can thus enhance the social media identity bubble reinforcement and general self-efficacy of Chinese medical staff through effective measures to improve their happiness indices.

With this brief review, we summarize our findings of how allergists, professional organizations and patients within the allergy space are using social media to date.

Millions of Americans suffer from allergic conditions and it has been well established that there aren't enough allergists to help treat and reach each of these people. With a noticeable absence from social media platforms of board certified allergists with knowledge based in evidence and science, the vacuum has been filled by others - some of whom advocate for the exact things we discourage because they are not helpful, and can even be harmful, for our allergic patients. While there are drawbacks to using social media platforms, as a specialty we need to acknowledge and perhaps even embrace the idea that the use of social media can have a positive effect - as a means to not only introduce, engage and educate our patients and other HCPs, but also to reduce misinformation. Social media is a powerful tool that can be responsibly used by our allergy community to amplify our collective voice to share important health information with our patients and other healthcare professionals and we believe that more training and education needs to be done so that our speciality can join others in becoming a larger voice in the space.

Many high-income countries are grappling with severe labour shortages in the healthcare sector. Refugees and recent migrants present a potential pool for staff recruitment due to their higher unemployment rates, younger age, and lower average educational attainment compared to the host society's labour force. Despite this, refugees and recent migrants, often possessing limited language skills in the destination country, are frequently excluded from traditional recruitment campaigns conducted solely in the host country's language. Even those with intermediate language skills may feel excluded, as destination-country language advertisements are perceived as targeting only native speakers. This study experimentally assesses the effectiveness of a recruitment campaign for nursing positions in a German care facility, specifically targeting Arabic and Ukrainian speakers through Facebook advertisements.

We employ an experimental design (AB test) approximating a randomized controlled trial, utilizing Facebook as the delivery platform. We compare job advertisements for nursing positions in the native languages of Arabic and Ukrainian speakers (treatment) with the same advertisements displayed in German (control) for the same target group in the context of a real recruitment campaign for nursing jobs in Berlin, Germany. Our evaluation includes comparing link click rates, visits to the recruitment website, initiated applications, and completed applications, along with the unit cost of these indicators. We assess statistical significance in group differences using the Chi-squared test.

We find that recruitment efforts in the origin language were 5.6 times (Arabic speakers) and 1.9 times (Ukrainian speakers) more effective in initiating nursing job applications compared to the standard model of German-only advertisements among recent migrants and refugees. Overall, targeting refugees and recent migrants was 2.4 (Ukrainians) and 10.8 (Arabic) times cheaper than targeting the reference group of German speakers indicating higher interest among these groups.

The results underscore the substantial benefits for employers in utilizing targeted recruitment via social media aimed at foreign-language communities within the country. This strategy, which is low-cost and low effort compared to recruiting abroad or investing in digitalization, has the potential for broad applicability in numerous high-income countries with sizable migrant communities. Increased employment rates among underemployed refugee and migrant communities, in turn, contribute to reducing poverty, social exclusion, public expenditure, and foster greater acceptance of newcomers within the receiving society.

 The increasing popularity of fitness influencers on social media has the potential to significantly impact public health by promoting healthy behaviors. Understanding how these influencers affect the adoption of healthy habits among Saudi residents can provide insights into effective public health strategies.

 This study aims to quantitatively assess the influence of following fitness influencers on social media on adopting healthy behaviors among Saudi residents, focusing on socio-demographic factors, characteristics of influencers, and participants' perceptions.

 A descriptive, cross-sectional study with an analytical component was carried out from March 25, 2023, to August 15, 2023. The study included Saudi residents aged 18 and older who actively follow fitness influencers. Data was gathered through an online questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's chi-square test, and logistic regression analyses to identify factors associated with positive health outcomes.

 The study included 561 participants, revealing that marital status and residential region significantly influenced the adoption of healthy habits, with married participants and those from the Southern and Central regions more likely to report positive outcomes. Notably, engagement in physical activity more than three times a week and adherence to a healthy diet were strongly associated with positive health outcomes (p<0.05). Analysis of influencer characteristics showed that following fewer than 10 influencers and being unaware of their follower count were predictors of positive results with p<0.05. Specifically, 76.6% of participants experienced positive results after following health advice from social media, highlighting the impactful yet complex role of influencers in shaping health behaviors. Logistic regression analyses underscored the significance of socio-demographic factors, influencer characteristics, and participant perceptions in predicting the likelihood of experiencing positive health outcomes.

 Following fitness influencers on social media can positively impact the adoption of healthy habits, moderated by socio-demographic factors and influencer characteristics.

The integration of WhatsApp, a widely-used instant messaging application (IMA), into the realm of orthopaedics and trauma surgery has emerged as a significant development in recent years. This paper explores the multifaceted role of WhatsApp in orthopaedics, focusing on its clinical and non-clinical applications, advantages, disadvantages, and future prospects. The study synthesizes findings from various research papers, emphasizing the growing reliance on mobile technology in healthcare. WhatsApp's role in orthopaedics is notable for its ease of use, real-time communication, and accessibility. Clinically, it facilitates triage, teleconsultation, diagnosis, treatment, patient advice, and post-operative monitoring. Non-clinically, it supports telemedicine, teleradiology, virtual fracture clinics, research, and education in orthopaedic surgery. The application has proven beneficial in enhancing communication among healthcare teams, providing quick responses, and motivating junior physicians. Its use in educational settings has been shown to improve learner's understanding and patient care. However, the use of WhatsApp in orthopaedics is not without challenges. Risks include the potential spread of misleading information, privacy concerns, and issues with image quality affecting diagnosis and treatment decisions. The paper acknowledges the importance of maintaining professional boundaries and the need for oversight measures to ensure content accuracy. Looking forward, the potential of WhatsApp and similar IMAs in orthopaedics lies in their ability to streamline data collection and retrieval, improve doctor-patient communication, and address challenges like bureaucratic red tape and limited resources. The paper suggests that future orthopaedic practice, particularly in emergency departments, will increasingly rely on such technologies for efficient patient management. This shift, however, must be approached with an understanding of the ethical, legal, and practical implications of integrating social media and mobile technology in healthcare.

Bangladesh has a shortfall of health professionals. The World Health Organization states that improving education will increase recruitment and retention of health workers. Traditional learning approaches, in medical education particularly, focus on didactic teaching, teaching of subjects and knowledge testing. These approaches have been superseded in some programmes, with a greater focus on active learning, integrated teaching and learning of knowledge, application, skills and attitudes or values and associated testing of competencies as educational outcomes. In addition, some regions do not have continuous professional development or clinical placements for health worker students, contributing to difficulties in retention of health workers. This study aims to explore the experiences of health professional education in Bangladesh, focusing on what is through observation of health professional education sessions and experiences of educators.

This mixed method study included 22 observations of teaching sessions in clinical and educational settings, detailed analysis of 8 national curricula documents mapped to Global Competency and Outcomes Framework for Universal Health Coverage and 15 interviews of professionals responsible for health education. An observational checklist was created based on previous literature which assessed training of within dimensions of basic clinical skills; diagnosis and management; professionalism; professional development; and effective communication. Interviews explored current practices within health education in Bangladesh, as well as barriers and facilitators to incorporating different approaches to learning.

Observations revealed a variety of approaches and frameworks followed across institutions. Only one observation included all sub-competencies of the checklist. National curricula documents varied in their coverage of the Global Competency and Outcomes Framework domains. Three key themes were generated from a thematic analysis of interview transcripts: (1) education across the career span; (2) challenges for health professional education; (3) contextual factors and health professional education. Opportunities for progression and development post qualification are limited and certain professions are favoured over others.

Traditional approaches seem to predominate but there is some enthusiasm for a more clinical focus to education and for more competency based approaches to teaching, learning and assessment.

Social media use has potential to facilitate the rapid dissemination of research evidence to busy health and social care practitioners.

This study aims to quantitatively synthesize evidence of the between- and within-group effectiveness of social media for dissemination of research evidence to health and social care practitioners. It also compared effectiveness between different social media platforms, formats, and strategies.

We searched electronic databases for articles in English that were published between January 1, 2010, and January 10, 2023, and that evaluated social media interventions for disseminating research evidence to qualified, postregistration health and social care practitioners in measures of reach, engagement, direct dissemination, or impact. Screening, data extraction, and risk of bias assessments were carried out by at least 2 independent reviewers. Meta-analyses of standardized pooled effects were carried out for between- and within-group effectiveness of social media and comparisons between platforms, formats, and strategies. Certainty of evidence for outcomes was assessed using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations) framework.

In total, 50 mixed-quality articles that were heterogeneous in design and outcome were included (n=9, 18% were randomized controlled trials [RCTs]). Reach (measured in number of practitioners, impressions, or post views) was reported in 26 studies. Engagement (measured in likes or post interactions) was evaluated in 21 studies. Direct dissemination (measured in link clicks, article views, downloads, or altmetric attention score) was analyzed in 23 studies (8 RCTs). Impact (measured in citations or measures of thinking and practice) was reported in 13 studies. Included studies almost universally indicated effects in favor of social media interventions, although effect sizes varied. Cumulative evidence indicated moderate certainty of large and moderate between-group effects of social media interventions on direct dissemination (standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.88; P=.02) and impact (SMD 0.76; P<.001). After social media interventions, cumulative evidence showed moderate certainty of large within-group effects on reach (SMD 1.99; P<.001), engagement (SMD 3.74; P<.001), and direct dissemination (SMD 0.82; P=.004) and low certainty of a small within-group effect on impacting thinking or practice (SMD 0.45; P=.02). There was also evidence for the effectiveness of using multiple social media platforms (including Twitter, subsequently rebranded X; and Facebook), images (particularly infographics), and intensive social media strategies with frequent, daily posts and involving influential others. No included studies tested the dissemination of research evidence to social care practitioners.

Social media was effective for disseminating research evidence to health care practitioners. More intense social media campaigns using specific platforms, formats, and strategies may be more effective than less intense interventions. Implications include recommendations for effective dissemination of research evidence to health care practitioners and further RCTs in this field, particularly investigating the dissemination of social care research.

PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42022378793; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=378793.

RR2-10.2196/45684.

Social media has evolved beyond its conventional purpose of communication and information sharing to become a potent tool for disseminating health and oral health awareness. This study seeks to assess the patterns and related factors of using social media platforms to access health and oral health information among Sri Lankan adults, with special emphasis to promotion of oral health awareness.

In March 2023, individuals aged ≥ 18 years residing in Sri Lanka, who are users of social media participated in this electronic questionnaire-based survey. Statistical analyses of the collected data were done using the SPSS version 21 software, with a p-value of < 0.05 set to determine the level of statistical significance.

A total of 421 persons participated in this survey. Majority (68.4%) belonged to the age category of 18 to 30 years, and 55.5% were females. WhatsApp (96.8%) was the most frequently used social media platform across all age groups and both genders. Statistically significant differences were identified between genders in the usage of Telegram, Twitter, and Viber within the 18-30 years age category, with a higher percentage of males using these platforms (p ≤ 0.05). Similar significant differences were observed in the 31-40 years age group for WhatsApp and Telegram (p ≤ 0.05). Among 95.4% of online health information seekers, YouTube (74.9%) was the most popular platform. One-quarter of the respondents preferred social media platforms, and 22.3% preferred websites for obtaining oral health information. Furthermore, 74.9% had positive opinions on obtaining oral health information via social media, while only 17% reported pleasant experiences with social media platforms for oral health promotion. In assessing the reliability of oral health information on social media, 48% relied on the quality of the information. The most preferred source of oral health information was short videos from professionals (43.1%). Additionally, 69.5% reported changes in their oral health behaviours after accessing information through social media.

Social media is a viable platform for promoting public oral health awareness in Sri Lankan; hence, workable strategies need to be employed, to further ensure its effective and wider use in a culturally and socioeconomically diverse country like Sri Lanka.

In the digital era, healthcare customer feedback plays a pivotal role in shaping the reputation of healthcare organizations. The study explores how digital advancements are integrated into modern healthcare, offering both transformative insights and addressing the challenges they present. It investigates how technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital platforms, and patient feedback systems impact patient care, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction in healthcare settings. The study emphasizes the importance of balancing both capitalizing on the opportunities presented by innovations and addressing the inherent difficulties associated with digitalization in healthcare, underlining the need for a comprehensive approach to navigating the opportunities and challenges in healthcare digitalization. AI is recognized for its role in reshaping value creation in healthcare, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and improving patient care. Additionally, the study identifies key areas of research essential for effectively navigating the digital transformation in healthcare, including operational efficiency, patient-centric strategies, and organizational factors. However, along with the potential benefits come challenges, such as the need for regulatory frameworks to validate new technologies and address privacy concerns surrounding patient data. Managing reputation and customer relationships in the digital sphere also emerges as critical for healthcare organizations. In summary, the study underscores the importance of healthcare institutions prioritizing patient-centric care, adopting digital innovations, and adeptly navigating regulatory and ethical challenges. By doing so, they can enhance patient outcomes, and satisfaction, and drive innovation in today's dynamic healthcare landscape.

Social media (SoMe) is widely used as a communication platform in everyday life. Also, healthcare professionals have embraced SoMe as a communication tool for both peers and patients. It is becoming an interactive tool for discussing professionals' issues and a place where learning and education occur. This study explores the specific patterns of SoMe use for radiographers' in the Nordic countries. The aim of this survey was to investigate radiographers use of social platforms in a professional setting.

A 29-item survey was prepared, and pilot-tested. The survey was produced in Danish a language that all Nordic countries master. In general, most Nordic languages are very similar. The survey was distributed by online platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter/X, and also distributed by newsletters by the Norwegian and Danish national radiographers societies. All data was collected anonymously. An Ethical Research approval was obtained from the University of Southern Denmark.

A total of 242 respondents completed the survey (Denmark n = 183, Norway n = 48, Sweden n = 8, and n = 3 from other Scandinavian countries). The respondents included 186 females, 52 males and four were undisclosed. On average, the respondents spent approximately 2 h and 23 min daily on SoMe, with 27 min specifically dedicated to content relevant to radiographers. Facebook was the preferred platform with 93 % (n = 226). A total of 5.4 % (n = 13) respondents had experienced contact from patients and/or next of kin, while 92 % (n = 222) reported no such interactions and 2.9 % (n = 7) were undisclosed. A total of 52.8 % (n = 128) used SoMe in relation to courses, conferences, or online meetings. This shows that time spent on content relevant to radiographers imply that SoMe can be a relevant tool for reaching radiographers.

The survey demonstrates radiographers' use of SoMe for personal and professional interest, with Facebook as the preferred social media platform. SoMe were mostly used during courses, conferences, or online meetings with half of the respondent reported using SoMe platforms during working hours. These results underscore the untapped potential of SoMe in professional healthcare settings. Additionally, the study offers insight into current practices, facilitating comparisons to identify trends in SoMe usage within the radiographer community.

The findings advocate for the strategic use of SoMe by radiographers', emphasizing professional networking and knowledge sharing. However, clear guidelines are necessary to ensure patient confidentiality and data security in these digital interactions.

Social media and health research have covered the benefits for the public and patients as users. Specifically, this has focused on searching for health information, connecting with others experiencing similar health issues, and communicating with their health professionals. Recently, there has been a shift in research to focus on health care professionals as users as they participate in professional development, improve communication with patients, and contribute to health research and service. However, such research has predominantly focused on text-based platforms, namely Facebook and Twitter. The scope of this article is a systematic review of publications on health care professionals' use of the image-based platform Instagram, according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. This study, drawing from 51 articles, shows how health care professionals use Instagram, and reveals that these professionals utilize the platform to address health concerns that may not necessarily align with their specific expertise. Images were the common format of posts created by health care professionals, with six content types identified: (a) educational, (b) promotional, (c) patient experience, (d) personal, (e) emotion based, and (f) other. Three measures of post engagement were used by researchers, including (a) likes and comments, (b) use of hashtags, and (c) number of followers. This study also identified the dangers of misleading users, including (a) lack of credentials reported, (b) edited images, (c) quality of content, and (d) patient and client confidentiality issues. In conclusion, insights into the advantages of health care professionals' use of Instagram and ways in which they can maximize its use to reach and engage with their target audience are provided.

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.

Social media (SM) use by orthopaedic surgeons is becoming increasingly common; nonetheless, it needs to be clarified how patients perceive the content posted by physicians.

To characterize SM content posted by orthopaedic surgeons while investigating patient perceptions of this content and how it may influence their health care decisions.

Cross-sectional study.

Posts on SM outlets by orthopaedic surgeons were reviewed and categorized. A survey to assess patient perception of these categories was administered between December 2021 and February 2022 in the clinics of 3 orthopaedic surgeons. Survey results were analyzed for differences in patient SM use and perception of SM content types.

There were 250 completed surveys. SM use was high among all age groups; however, the 18 to 24 years (87.1%) and 25 to 34 years (86.4%) age groups were more likely than older age groups to report daily use (P = .002). Overall, 17% of patients reported using SM to see information about their health care at least once per month, 21% reported reviewing the SM account of a physician at least once per month, 19% reported that they were likely or very likely to view the SM account of their physician, and 23% reported that SM content was likely or very likely to influence which physician they see. Patients held the most consistently positive view of posts that educated patients, discussed sports team coverage, and provided patient testimonials. Patients had consistently neutral views of posts educating colleagues, discussing presentations at national meetings, displaying aspects of surgeons' personal lives, and supporting marginalized groups. Several post categories elicited highly polarized responses-including those discussing research publications and showing surgical techniques or pictures/videos taken during surgery. Respondents had a consistently negative response to posts making political statements.

SM is likely a useful tool to help physicians interact with patients. Physicians who wish to interact with patients should consider posting content viewed most positively-including posts educating patients, discussing sports team coverage, and providing patient testimonials. Content that is viewed less favorably should be posted sparingly or with a sensitive tag.

Social media has rapidly developed in the past decade to become a powerful and influential force for patients, physicians, health systems, and the academic community. While the use of social media in health care has produced many positive changes, such as rapid dissemination of information, crowd-sourced sharing of knowledge, learning, and social interaction, social media in health care has also negative effects. Recent examples of negative impacts of social media include rapid and unchecked information dissemination leading to patient misinformation and inadvertent reputational harm for health care professionals due to engaging in controversial topics on public platforms. Members of the anesthesiology community, like other medical specialties, have rapidly adopted social media at many different levels. However, most anesthesiologists, health systems, and academic communities have little education, preparation, and guidelines on optimizing the use of social media technology while minimizing the risks of social media. Anesthesiology has been and will continue to be impacted by the forces of technology and the cultural influences of social media for the foreseeable future. The purpose of this article was to examine the recent history of social media adoption in anesthesiology and perioperative medicine, understand the current impact of social media across our specialty, and consider how the future development of technology and evolving social and cultural dynamic influences of social media will have on anesthesiology over the next quarter century.