The Role of Social Networks, Medical–Legal Climate, and Patient Advocacy on Surgical Options

Abstract

The dissemination of information online and resultant public discourse through social media and other online channels has influenced the practice of medicine in dramatic ways. Physicians have historically worked to develop new techniques and devices for the benefit of their patients. It is only a more recent phenomenon, however, that these tools are either removed or their use is curtailed largely driven by anecdotal reports; passionate, vocal, often media-savvy advocates; and plaintiff attorneys. The use of power morcellation, hysteroscopic tubal sterilization, and mesh in urogynecologic procedures all have been victims of these societal pressures. It is important for health care professionals to be involved in the debate to ensure that public outcry does not unduly influence what we, as clinicians, are able to safely offer our patients. By being better advocates for our field, our instruments, and our patients, we can ensure medical decision-making is driven by good science and not public fervor.

Social Media in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery: What Is #Trending on Instagram?

“…The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists published a commentary in 2016 regarding the role of social networks on surgical options and how the use of power morcellation, hysteroscopic tubal sterilization, and mesh in urogynecologic procedures has been impacted by the dissemination and discourse of information on social media. Their message was for healthcare providers to be more involved in the debate so that "public fervor" does not outweigh evidence-based medicine [8].…”

“…The limited number of works include commentaries, perspectives, and editorial pieces [5−7]. The content of these pieces focuses on dissemination of scientific evidence and education with respect to the patient, the practicing physician, or the physician−patient relationship [5,6,8]. Only one published study surveyed the use of social media by patients with or without gynecologic pain and found that those with pain were more likely to use social media to learn about or manage their condition than those without gynecologic pain [5].…”

Social Media: The New Impact Factor?

“…[13][14] The value of social media in the dissemination of scientific evidence is clearly reflected by the response of the medical community. There has been an increase in the number of social media publications appearing in medical journal articles 15,16 , in the inclusion of social media workshops at national conferences 17 and in the engagement of annual meeting participants (such as #AAGL2015, #ACOG16, #SGS2016). 16 Some centers have started social media training programs for health professionals 18 and, organizations such as the CDC and ACOG have developed social media(SoMe) guidelines.…”

Comment on: “Moving from Patient Advocacy to Partnership: A Long and Bumpy Road”

“…Public outcry can unduly preclude the use of safe alternatives [5]. The pink ribbon campaign for breast cancer screening used public fervor to transform a disease into a market-driven industry, which is deliberately flying in the face of the scientific evidence challenging the clinical benefit of screening [6].…”