EoE Module 14 References-Thanawala et al Dis Esophagus 2021 Hashing out current social media use in EoE

Thanawala et al Dis Esophagus 2021 Hashing out current social media use in EoE

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The article highlights a study examining the use of social media among patients and caregivers dealing with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a chronic inflammatory esophagus condition. The study aimed to understand how social media is used by these individuals to gather information about EoE, whether this influences their medical knowledge, and to identify potential improvements in social media content.<br /><br />The survey found that 82.5% of respondents used social media to learn about EoE, with Facebook being the most popular platform. Caregivers were more likely than patients to rely on social media for information, possibly due to their need to manage the care of those affected by EoE, especially children. Despite high usage, social media use was not linked to higher test scores on a 5-question multiple-choice EoE knowledge quiz, suggesting that while social media is a well-utilized resource, it may not enhance factual knowledge about the disease.<br /><br />Respondents expressed a desire for more accurate health information on social media, with 87.7% indicating that contributions from medical professionals would improve the quality of content. Topics of interest included recent research, scientific facts, clinical trials, medication, and dietary information. Trust issues, content usefulness, and time consumption were cited as barriers to social media use among those who refrained from using it.<br /><br />The study underscores the potential of social media as a tool not only for information dissemination but also for connecting patients and caregivers. However, it highlights the need for improved accuracy and professional involvement in health-related social media content, balancing this with safeguarding patient privacy and the irreplaceable value of direct healthcare provider interactions. Further research into the impacts and accuracy of social media information on EoE is recommended.

Keywords

eosinophilic esophagitis

social media

patients

caregivers

Facebook

medical knowledge

health information

medical professionals

trust issues

information dissemination